San Francisco's Beautiful East Bay Boasts An Island City With Museums, Sandy Shores, And Parks

While the rest of the country is still debating the East Coast versus West Coast, San Francisco Bay Area residents are discussing whether the Peninsula, East, North, or South Bay is a better place to live. While the Peninsula region is home to places like Daly City, an underrated coastal destination with beaches, shops, and parks, East Bay hides a little gem called Alameda. This island city overlooks San Francisco with its gorgeous green spaces, fascinating museums, cool art galleries, and Victorian houses lining its streets. The waterfront is lively during the day and serene in the evenings — you can enjoy windsurfing on sunny mornings, while golden hour strolls bring much-needed peace. Alameda's dining scene is vibrant, with a variety of cuisines in different settings.

Originally inhabited by the Muwekma Ohlone tribe, the city gets its name from a Spanish word that translates to a grove of poplar trees. While it was established in 1872, the construction of the tidal canal in 1902 turned it into an island. This allowed Alameda to be connected to Oakland, which ended up making it a key shipping port in the region. While Alameda isn't as bustling as San Francisco, you can still take advantage of big-city amenities and experience the coziness of a small town.

Alameda is a 20-minute drive from San Francisco, taking you through Oakland. From San Jose, you'll need to drive north for 45 minutes to arrive in the city. Sacramento is an hour and a half away from Alameda, while Stockton is slightly closer at one hour and 15 minutes. East Palo Alto, a foodie paradise with unmatched views, is just 35 minutes away. You won't have any issues with accommodation options — book a weekend stay at the Marina Village Inn, Neptune Palace Hotel, Coral Reef Inn and Suites, or Rodeway Inn.

One of the most famous attractions in Alameda is the USS Hornet Museum, housed in the namesake vessel that dates back to World War II. Outside, the ship itself is the key exhibit, while inside, you'll learn about the marine detachment that served aboard, as well as Korean War veterans via photographs and oral history. Touring the museum, you'll discover a variety of aircraft, like the T-28B Trojan trainer plane, SH-3H SeaKing helicopter, and TBM-3E Avenger torpedo. You can't miss the Space Race and Apollo Mission Splashdown, featuring displays like the Apollo test capsule CM-011.

To admire more aviation-related exhibits, make your way to the Alameda Naval Air Museum, located in the former naval air station. Here, you'll get to see a number of model aircraft, including the PanAm China Clipper. For a more niche experience, swing by the Pacific Pinball Museum. Not only will you view more than 100 retro pinball machines, but you also get to play as much as you want. Admission gives you access to 1,200 games like Arabian Nights, Shangri La, Baby Pac-Man, and Fireball. The museum has rotating exhibits, too, that cover topics like the Pointy People style and fashion in pinball art.

The Alameda Museum is the place to go for a good, old-fashioned history lesson. Artifacts tell visitors about the city's origins and how it has advanced over the years. The free museum boasts artworks, historical documents, archives, and more displays. As for your art fix, Frame 1A Gallery is perfect for those who like photography. Studio 23, on the other hand, is a community-driven gallery, with black light art shows, African diaspora exhibitions, and even puzzle nights. If contemporary art is what speaks to you most, Anne Wesley's gallery will have you inspired.

While Baker Beach in San Francisco gets all the attention as one of the best LGBTQ+ vacation destinations, Alameda locals head to Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach to splash around. The shoreline spans 2.5 miles, with plenty of opportunities for swimming, windsurfing, picnicking, and cycling. This beach is famous for its sand sculpture contest, taking place every June. Families also love going to the Crab Cove Visitor Center to check out the aquarium and learn about the region's wildlife. Walk toward the east end of the beach, and you'll arrive at the Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary, where western sandpipers, greater yellowlegs, and black oystercatchers migrate in the winter. Meanwhile, those who want to launch their boat into the bay can do so at Encinal Beach.

Beachside strolls are most rewarding at Shoreline Park — several paths snake through the area, eventually guiding you to a scenic panorama of the San Francisco skyline. Marina Cove Waterfront Park swaps S.F. for Oakland and San Antonio views, with kids running around in the playground and friends having picnic gatherings. This secluded spot is ideal for soaking in the tranquility. Since you're in the area, it's worth stopping by Safe Harbor Marina Village, either for boating or just the nautical vibes. Order the "East Meets West" sandwich from The Waterfront Deli, or try some of their other Mediterranean and Korean fusion dishes.

Another restaurant to visit is Alley and Vine, where you'll indulge in ribeye steak, Alaskan cod picatta, and kumamoto oyster. The Park Street Tavern serves up filet mignon, veal scallopini marsala, and housemade lamb agnolotti. For fun group hangouts, get yourself a table at 1400 Bar and Grill and end the night with a glass of Bloody Mary or a citrusy French 75.