Welcome to Alameda County
Diverse communities and charming neighborhoods with urban appeal.
Across the Bay, just east of metropolitan San Francisco, Alameda County has in recent years grown into a prime location of luxury living that rivals that of San Francisco proper. It’s one of the most ethnic and culturally diverse counties in the country, with thriving businesses, genre-defying art scenes, and a history-making spirit of activism. Many of its mid-sized cities hold distinction as some of the wealthiest in the United States, and county residents enjoy a lifestyle as diverse and enriched as the area itself. Alameda County is a region of tight-knit communities strengthened by bustling urban epicenters, rustic redwoods, gorgeous beaches, and small-town charm.
Alameda County is a prime location for commuters, with easy freeway access complemented by exceptional train and public transportation systems, as well as ferry terminals that provide fast, stress-free commutes into San Francisco. The architectural style in Alameda County varies from neighborhood to neighborhood, with something for every taste: elegant Victorians and Queen Annes, magnificent Craftsmans, and expansive Mediterranean estates.
What to Love
• Cultural and ethnic diversity
• Ideal location and commutability
• Architectural variety of luxury homes
• Warm, family-friendly communities
People & Lifestyle
Alameda County residents take care of each other. Many of its cities rose to affluence from historically challenged beginnings, and Alameda County’s lifestyle is one that encompasses an “everyone is welcome here” attitude. A unique blend of families with children, artists of various mediums, tech industry professionals, and scholarly-minded individuals make up the melting pot that is Alameda County—a safe, well-rounded, and overall warm and welcoming community.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Fenton’s Creamery is an Oakland landmark that has served the Bay Area community with unparalleled ice cream for over 105 years. This retro ice cream parlor is known for their large, decadent sundaes, and a wide variety of flavors. In 1922, a restaurant and soda fountain was added to the parlor, and Fenton’s has since been featured in Pixar’s animated film Up.
Just across the Bay Bridge in Lower Pacific Heights, Limoncello is the go-to spot for Alameda County residents looking for a New York bodega-style dining experience in the San Francisco Bay Area. Known for its modern interpretation of Italian deli sandwich fare, Limoncello’s menu also sports a selection of savory New York-style pizzas and decadent Italian desserts.
For the best Chicago-style pizza this side of, well...Chicago, look no further than Zachary’s Chicago Pizza in Oakland. The restaurant has been honored with over 200 ‘Best Pizza’ awards since its opening in 1983 and is 100% employee-owned with five locations across the Bay.
Arizmendi Bakery is a worker-owned co-op of freshly made artisan bread, out-of-this-world sweets, and mouthwatering thin-crust pizza served within a no-frills outpost setting. Inspired by the success of its famous Berkeley predecessor, the Cheeseboard, Arizmendi Oakland is not for the weak-willed—as almost everything on the menu from savory to sweet is addicting.
Things to Do
Tilden Regional Park, known to locals simply as Tilden, is a 2,079-acre regional park in the East Bay between the Berkeley Hills and San Pablo Ridge. For nature lovers, a trip through the park is a means of transport into forested hills, grassy meadows, and hiking trails accented by the fragrance of eucalyptus trees dotting the area. It’s a perfect location for picnics, camping, or a swim in the park’s lake—and accentuated by mineral springs, a botanical garden, and a charming carousel.
Surrounded by parklands and charming neighborhoods, Oakland’s Lake Merritt is one of the most unique urban spaces in the country—with a central tidal lagoon serving as home to the oldest designated wildlife refuge in the United States. Along with jogging paths that run along the lake’s perimeter, Lake Merritt features a Rotary Nature Center at Lakeside Park that offers sailboats, rowboats, and canoes available for rental, as well as a fairytale-themed amusement park.
Mission Peak Regional Preserve is a public park east of Fremont and is the northern summit on a ridge that includes Mount Allison and Monument Peak. Its symbolic importance is reflected in its depiction on the City of Fremont’s logo, and the park is a popular destination for local hikers, bicyclists, and sightseers. The rewards of reaching the peak’s summit are awe-inspiring views of Mount Hamilton, the Santa Cruz Mountains, Mt. Tamalpais, Mt. Diablo, and the Sierra Nevada.
The William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre, known to locals simply as the Greek Theatre, is an 8,500-seat amphitheater owned and operated by the University of California, Berkeley. The theatre has played host to internationally acclaimed artists the likes of The Grateful Dead and Alanis Morissette, along with world-renown speakers the likes of the Dalai Lama.
Schools
Alameda County is divided into 18 distinct school districts. Highlights include:
• University of California, Berkeley