Just off the coast of Oakland and in its own world sits Alameda. Homes for sale in Alameda range from homey condos to giant Victorians. Quaint, full of history and a little bit funky - explore East Bay’s little island and the delights it holds from shore to shore (just be sure to check out current hours before you visit).

 

The Alameda Museum holds much of the history and culture of Alameda, California, including exhibitions about old dioramas, model ships and toys, Native American culture, the Alameda fire department, Neptune Beach and Phyllis Diller. You can also visit The USS Hornet Museum or the Alameda Naval Air Museum located on the former Naval Air Station in Alameda and study the roles it played in World War II, the Apollo Program, exploration of space and more.

 

 

 

Not found in many textbooks - learn about pinball machines by visiting the Pacific Pinball Museum, an interactive museum where you can play on a historical selection of pinball machines starting in the 1940s to present day.

 

If you like to take little pieces of history home for your collection consider attending the Alameda Point Antiques Fair which is the first Sunday of every month where numerous vendors with open-air booths sell items such as vintage and antique home decor, fashion, furniture, art, books and other collectibles. If you can’t catch the fair, you can always visit the local antique store, Lost City Antiques.

 

Enjoy the salty air walking or biking along the 2.5 mile stretch of Alameda Beach (or also known as Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach). This unique beach has a bit of history being that after wind and water had dangerously eroded the beach it was then restored in early 1982 with sand from San Francisco Bay pumped ashore by pipeline from a barge. You can also bring the kids to the Crab Cove Visitor Center, a bayfront education center, to learn and look in awe at the many sea creatures that are home to the aquarium as well as get hands on education with the interactive marine life exhibits.

 

If you enjoy views, consider strolling around Shoreline Park, which wraps around the outer portion of Bay Farm Island, and admire San Francisco’s skyline. One secret spot in particular is off of Alameda’s Main Street close to the ferry terminal, if you wander off the beaten path you may find an abandoned park on the naval base where you can find an incredible view of the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge overlapping each other.

 

 

 

A portion of the 500-mile San Francisco Bay Trail runs through Alameda starting at Sea View Parkway. Or walk the windy, waterfront Harbor Bay Trail along the edge of Bay Farm Island.

 

Jean Sweeney Open Space Park, located on the former Alameda Beltline Railroad property, you’ll find walking paved trails, picnic areas, an outdoor pavilion, and plenty of trails for walking and biking. And another great area for picnics and play, check out Lincoln Park where you’ll find a playground, sport courts, fields, exercise equipment, pool and lovely rose garden.

 

You can find Hangar 1 vodka in any ol’ Bevmo, but visiting the distillery brings about a whole new experience. Temporarily closed at this time, sometime soon we hope you have the ability to visit this distillery that’s sitting in an old airplane hanger and offers facility tours.

 

Featuring a range of spirits from a malt whiskey to absinthe to several gins, vodkas and other liqueurs stop by and appreciate one of the oldest craft distilleries in the United States, St. George Spirits.

 

Don’t forget Lucky 13 or the inimitable Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge.

 

 

 

Rock Wall Wine Company is particularly special as you can sip on fine wine and take in the spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline in their large converted airplane hangar.

 

If you are a cigar connoisseur or know someone who is you may take interest in Bonne Vie Fine Cigars, Beer and Wine which features 150+ hand-rolled cigars, pipes, imported tobaccos from Italy and Germany, but also carry craft beers and wines from around the world.

 

There are quite a few places to eat, but here are just a few we’d live to mention. If you love Italian cuisine, order from Trabocco Kitchen and Cocktails which serves locavore Californian and Italian fare and drinks. For a more casual spot, visit Scolari's Good Eats which makes burgers, stromboli, buffalo fries and more. Or enjoy tea or coffee at Julie's Coffee & Tea Garden, where you can choose from a vast selection of teas plus sustainable veg-driven fare while enjoying the charming patio garden.

 

 

 

Although these spaces are quieter than usual these days with the pandemic, we hope to be able to enjoy all the luxuries that Alameda has to offer very soon.

 

Learn more about Alameda real estate, explore more East Bay cities and neighborhoods, and if you have questions about living in any of them, drop us a line.

 

**Please note that some of the mentioned businesses and spaces are temporarily closed during COVID-19. Contact these locations before you visit to make sure you have their most current hours.**