Alameda Community Profile Test!

Most people experience an immediate sense of community the first time they visit the scenic island city of Alameda, with its diverse array of beautiful homes, tree-lined streets and remarkable stretches of sandy shoreline. Its small-town atmosphere is reflected in quaint shopping districts, wonderful parks and beaches and good schools. Located in the geographical center of the Bay Area, Alameda also offers easy commutes to San Francisco and Oakland. The following is an overview of Alameda’s fine neighborhoods: 
 

Harbor Bay Isle

Harbor Bay Isle is a beautifully landscaped, water-oriented community of single family homes and town homes, as well as a business park. Developed primarily in the 1980's and 1990's, it has impressive community amenities, including wonderful recreational paths surrounding shaded lagoons, an outstanding by front recreational trail with prime views of the San Francisco skyline, parks, a public library, a neighborhood shopping center, a premiere health club and spa, and direct ferry service to San Francisco. Some of the community's most dramatic homes are waterfront properties with breathtaking views set along the bay front trail. 

Bay Farm Island

Bay Farm Island is actually a peninsula that is connected to the main island of Alameda by a drawbridge over the Oakland estuary. It was a farming and agricultural community before homes were built there in the 1950's. Some of the farms remained into the 1980's. Bay Farm also features a number of townhome developments dating back to the 1970's and 1980's. Its close proximity to Harbor Bay Isle, the business park, Oakland International Airport and a convenient parkway leading to the Airport, San Leandro, and freeways adds to its desirability.   

East End

The East End is basically comprised of three neighborhoods: the Fernside District, where elegant Mediterranean homes dating back to the 1930's nestle on winding tree-lined streets; a district of older, turn-of-the-century homes and apartments spreading out from a quaint commercial district at Versailles and Encinal, and a charming section of homes built after World War II, east of High Street. Like the rest of Alameda, it’s a wonderful area to explore on foot. East End residents enjoy shopping at the popular Encinal Market, strolling Thompson Avenue, which transforms into "Christmas Tree Lane" each December, and exploring Lincoln Park, a gracious expanse of lawn, oak trees, and a rose garden that offers a playground, baseball field, tennis courts, basketball courts, swimming pool, and recreation center. 

Central Alameda

Central Alameda offers an impressive variety of housing styles, including Queen Anne Cottages, Colonial Revivals, Craftsman Bungalows and Victorians. It also boasts some of Alameda’s oldest homes, which are located next to the Northern Waterfront where the shipping industry once thrived. The remainder of this large district is a patchwork of smaller, charming neighborhoods ranging from older homes and flats, to apartment buildings and contemporary condominiums. Central Alameda is also home to many civic buildings, including City Hall, the state-of-the-art Alameda Main Library, Alameda High School and the historic Kofman Auditorium, which hosts many community events including performances by the Alameda Civic Light Opera. Park Street, Alameda’s popular retail, dining and entertainment destination also lies in Central Alameda  where delightful turn-of-the-century store fronts, dozens of lovely retail shops, cafes and restaurants.  A welcomed addition to Park Street is the recently restored historic Alameda Theater, which mimics its original 1932 condition, and modern seven screen Cineplex. 

Gold Coast

The term "Gold Coast" denotes the shoreline that once ran along this neighborhood’s southern edge before South Shore was developed. The Gold Coast’s first homes were built by wealthy out-of-towners who sought second homes near the beach. These magnificent turn-of-the-century Victorian and Edwardian homes line enchanting tree-lined streets, including Grand Street, San Antonio Avenue, Dayton Avenue, Bay Street, St. Charles and Paru Street, to name a few. Nestled amongst these historic gems are spectacular Mediterranean and Arts and Crafts homes, often built to a generous scale. Located in the heart of the Gold Coast and set amongst an abundance of mature trees and lawn area is Franklin Park, which offers a playground, baseball field, basketball and tennis courts, swimming pool and recreation center.

South Shore

An ease of living marks the South Shore neighborhoods with sleek 1960’s style homes that have risen in popularity with those seeking retro modernist designs, as well as condominiums, and apartments, some with gorgeous views of the San Francisco Bay. Many homes are located around a large tranquil lagoon that sits just north of Otis Drive. A popular destination is Crown Memorial State Beach, a two-and-one-half mile long beach on the San Francisco Bay; one of few sandy public beaches on the Bay. Outdoor enthusiasts of all ages frequent the beach to enjoy long walks or bike rides, volleyball, windsurfing, and kite boarding. South Shore also hosts South Shore Shopping Center, a tastefully renovated retail center with an impressive list of tenants, including Trader Joe's, Kohl's, Bed Bath & Beyond, Old Navy, Safeway, Office Max, Panera Bread as well as many other stores, restaurants and services. 

West End

Webster Street, a retail district that is undergoing a spectacular renaissance, anchors the West End of Alameda. A good portion of the neighborhood was developed during World War II, when Alameda expanded its military base. Today these small homes with their hardwood floors and wood-framed windows are ideal starter properties. Other options lie among Arts and Crafts bungalow homes, 1960's contemporaries and sets of Victorian flats. For those seeking a nautical lifestyle, Ballena Bay, developed in the 1980's boasts dramatic town homes set along deep water docks. More water oriented properties are available among Alameda’s floating homes in the Barnhill Marina just east of Webster Street. 

Marina Village

On the estuary with its own network of lagoons, views of the Marina, Jack London Square, and the Oakland hills, Marina Village is a thoughtfully laid out business park and residential development spread across 205 acres. Nearly every property is water oriented and faces a lagoon or the estuary. Amenities include a swimming pool, spa and a popular shopping center which features everything from a major grocery store to fine dining. 

Alameda Point

Big changes are in store for the West End as Alameda Point, the city’s 2,500-acre former military base, is poised for redevelopment. Some new housing has already been completed in the award-winning Bayport Alameda, a master-planned community of nearly 500 homes. More plans are in the works.