Looking for a relaxed Bay Area escape with island charm? Head to Alameda! Located just across the water from Oakland and San Francisco, Alameda offers historic architecture, scenic shorelines, unique shops, and a slower pace. Whether you're biking along the beach or sipping craft spirits, Alameda is a hidden gem worth exploring.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Alameda is from April through October. These months offer mild temperatures, sunny skies, and perfect weather for waterfront walks, festivals, and outdoor dining. Even in winter, the weather remains relatively pleasant.
How to Get There
- By car: Alameda is accessible via I-880 and I-580, just 15–20 minutes from downtown Oakland and about 30 minutes from San Francisco.
- By ferry: Take the San Francisco Bay Ferry from the SF Ferry Building directly to Alameda’s Main Street Terminal.
- By public transit: BART stations in Oakland connect to Alameda via AC Transit buses and bike-friendly paths.
Where to Stay
- Coral Reef Inn & Suites – Convenient lodging near the beach with a pool and lagoon views.
- Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Oakland/Alameda – Central location with easy access to downtown Oakland and Alameda Island.
- Airbnb Rentals – Choose from charming Victorians, waterfront condos, or cozy cottages around town.
Top Attractions
1. Climb Aboard History at the USS Hornet Museum
Rating: ★★★★★
The USS Hornet is perhaps most famous for leading the recovery of the Apollo 11 mission in which Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first human beings to step foot onto the moon.
Not only does this ship show off the style and functionality of the historic aircraft carrier, it also serves as an amazing museum with exhibits and artifacts such as World War II retired aircraft and other historic jets and aircraft, as well as exhibits regarding the Apollo moon missions of the 1960s and 70s. Visitors to the USS Hornet Museum can take a self guided tour around the hangar deck as well as the flight deck and first deck of the massive ship.
Address: USS Hornet Museum, 707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
2. Play Through the Past at the Pacific Pinball Museum
The Pacific Pinball Museum contains more than 1500 historic and unique pinball machines. At the Pacific Pinball Museum, visitors can learn about the history of pinball and other arcade games, which dates back to the 1870s, via a number of interactive exhibits and of course, plenty of pinball machines which are available for play. The Pacific Pinball Museum has over 90 machines currently on display, and the machines chosen for display (and play!) are often switched out to give guests an opportunity to play a wide variety of historic pinball games, some of which date back to the 1940s.
Address: Pacific Pinball Museum, 1510 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501, Phone: 510-769-1349
For a relaxing day on the beach:
3. Swim, Sunbathe, or Stroll at Crown Memorial State Beach
Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach stretches for two and a half miles along the coast of the San Francisco Bay. Its current appearance is modeled after what the beach naturally looked like before it was severely eroded away by wind and water, and new sand is added periodically to ensure that this gorgeously landscaped land remains a great place for people to spend their time. The beach has sandy dunes, manicured lawns, bike trails, and picnic areas, and is a popular place for swimming, boating, fishing, picnics, windsurfing, and kiteboarding.
Address: Crown Memorial State Beach, 1451 8th St, Alameda, CA 94501
If you are traveling with kids:
4. Discover Marine Life and Tidal Wonders at Crab Cove
Located at the north end of Crown Memorial State Beach about 20 minutes from San Francisco, Crab Cove is a small aquarium and education center which aims to teach its visitors about the natural marine life that can be found in the region.
Inside the visitor’s center is an 800 gallon aquarium, where guests will see some of the sea creatures that call San Francisco Bay their home, as well as plenty of interactive exhibits which are perfect for guests of all ages.
Exhibits will teach visitors about mudflats, crabs, and the beautiful, diverse world beneath the waters of San Francisco Bay. There is even an outdoor area where people can witness firsthand some of the wildlife in the Bay as the tide flows in and out.
Address: Crab Cove, 1231 McKay Ave, Alameda, CA 94501, Phone: 510-544-3187
5. Shop, Dine, and Explore the Charm of Downtown Alameda
Alameda Island and Bay Farm Island are the home of Alameda, California, and this city’s bustling downtown has plenty to keep visitors busy and entertained. From fantastic restaurants, local boutiques and shops, and plenty of events happening, downtown Alameda is a great destination for families, couples, and solo travelers looking to escape the busier, more crowded streets of San Francisco and Oakland. Downtown Alameda’s appearance, especially that of central Park Street, is remarkably unchanged from its beginnings as a small town that grew from the rail and ferry systems. Some beautiful, historic buildings to note are the Old Masonic Temple, the Old Alameda Post Office, and the Old Alameda Theater.
Address: Downtown Alameda, 2447 Santa Clara Ave #302, Alameda, CA 94501, Phone: 510-523-1392
Activities and Attractions for Couples:
6. Catch a Local Production at Altarena Playhouse
The Altarena Little Theater Company has been putting on quality stage productions for the local community since the late 1930s, and in 1957, they transformed an abandoned supermarket into the Altarena Playhouse.
Today, the Altarena Little Theater Company has been putting on shows for over 75 years, making it one of the oldest community theater organizations in the San Francisco Bay area. At the playhouse, visitors can see a wide variety of shows, from classic Shakespeare to new and contemporary pieces. A night at the theater is always a good time, and the Altarena Playhouse even partners with some local restaurants within close distance to the theater, so patrons can get a 10% discount and really make a night of their experience.
Address: Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St, Alameda, CA 94501, Phone: 510-523-1553
7. Immerse Yourself in Creativity at the Frank Bette Center for the Arts
Even just from the exterior, the bright yellow Victorian building that houses the Frank Bette Center for the Arts is clearly an artistic place. The former owner was Frank Bette himself, an exquisite expert in restoring antiques, particularly furnishings, who bequeathed the house upon his death for use as a place where people could meet, show art, discuss new ideas, and express their creativity. The Center does its very best to uphold his vision, and regularly offers classes and shows new exhibits in their galleries. From poetry slams, musical jams, and formal art shows, to workshops and demos hosted by talented craftsmen and women, the Frank Bette Center for the Arts is as beautiful and unique as its founder could ever have imagined.
Address: Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru St, Alameda, CA 94501, Phone: 510-523-6957
8. Enjoy Movies with Vintage Flair at Alameda Theatre & Cineplex
Built in 1932, this historic theater was constructed in the lavish and distinctive Art Deco style, and is best characterized by the beautiful and brightly lit blade-shaped sign out front, proclaiming up and down the block that this is the Alameda.
The marquee and ticket booths beneath are largely unchanged from what they were like in the 30s, with a beautiful, two story foyer inside. On the upper balcony, guests can have a seat at a small table as they admire the detailed architecture, before heading in to see a movie. The Alameda even has a Cinema Grill, and guests can order food and drinks right to their seat.
Address: Alameda Theatre & Cineplex, 2317 Central Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
9. Sip Fresh Brews at Admiral Maltings' Historic Malting Facility and Taproom
Admiral Maltings is a malthouse and pub in Alameda that is owned and operated by Bay Area brewing industry veterans Dave McLean and Ron Silberstein, who bring years of experience with Magnolia Brewing Company and ThirstyBear Brewing Company to California's first floor malting operations since before Prohibition. The company partners with regional farmers to source high-quality grains for the production of handcrafted malt, which is sourced to a variety of area breweries. Visitors can enjoy an excellent selection of regional craft brews on tap, many of which are produced with the company's malts. Cask-conditioned ales are also served up, along with a full menu of charcuterie boards, bar snacks, and artisanal sandwiches.
Address: Admiral Maltings, 651 W Tower Ave, Alameda, CA 94501, Phone: 510-666-6419
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