SAN LEANDRO

There's plenty to love about the friendly city of San Leandro.

With an average temperature of 62 degrees, the city enjoys a pleasant year-round climate -- something residents take full advantage of. With 23 parks and recreation facilities, there's never a shortage of things to do. Take a quick look around and you'll see kids fly kites along the seashore, ride bikes to school, make sandcastles at the beach, take swimming classes at the community center, ride floats in the annual Cherry Festival Parade, and meet up with friends at the Tuesday morning library story hour.

Charming and unique older homes make up the real estate of San Leandro's many distinctive neighborhoods. These include single story ranch-style tract homes built in the 40s and 50s, custom-built view homes in the rolling hills of east San Leandro, and a cozy hillside enclave nestled below Lake Chabot where the wide streets are lined with trees and chirping birds.

Fun activities with family and friends include biking or strolling along the Bay Trail, picnicking at Marina Park, and attending one of the many plays presented by community theater groups.

The city of San Leandro is home to several familiar chain restaurants and fast food establishments, as well as many unique dining venues. CreAsian serves excellent "Asian fusion" dishes, Sushi Musashi offers fine Japanese cuisine, and the upscale Paradiso prepares a delicious crème brulée, a favorite dessert among the epicurean locals. There are also a number of independently owned shops including quaint bookstores, children's clothing stores, and a florist.

San Leandro is located along major freeways and is served by two BART stations and the AC Transit bus service. The Oakland International Airport is just 5 minutes away.