If you refer “ The Island ” to most Bay Area local anaesthetic , they might recall you ’re talking about Alcatraz and not the island just off Oakland . The City of Alameda ( which is also in Alameda County ) was once a sleepy town home to a Navy stem and the Del Monte cannery . Today , it ’s hustle with bars , restaurant , shopping , and , of course , the beach . Take a break from the grind and head over to Alameda – there ’s a lot to dig about The Island ’s vibe .
You can lounge at a warmer beach
It ’s no enigma that northerly California beach can be dusty ( Ocean Beach , we ’re see at you).Crown Memorial State Beachis the way to revel some more traditional beach conditions , or cool off during a heat wave – not to mention a much closer alternative to warmer beach near Santa Cruz . Beyond lounging , you may grille , swim , windsurf , Pisces the Fishes , and motorcycle around this beach / park . Take your kid to theCrab Cove Visitor Centerto learn about marine biography , delight free concerts at the Cove during the summer , or check out the one-year Baroness Dudevant castle / carving contest .
Geek out over retro games
When was the last time you playedMike Tyson ’s Punch Out ? ( Have you ever playedMike Tyson ’s Punch Out?)High Scores Arcadeon Park St Downtown offers ‘ 80s colonnade games for the onetime - school gamer . When you ’ve made a high scotch , manoeuver down the street for a few rounds of indoor miniature golf game atSubpar . Over at thePacific Pinball Museum , $ 20 get you all - access to pinball game machines from the thirties and 1940s , as well as a pinball game history lesson .
There’s seriously good golfing
If you want to play more grown - up games , take a swing music at theChuck Corica Golf Complex(located on Bay Farm , the littler island attached to Alameda ’s main dead body ) . Enjoy the beauty and quiet of Bay Farm from one of the club ’s two 18 - hole course or its nine - hole , par - three course of study . Do n’t occupy if you ’ve never try golf – the Complex has lessons for beginners .
Alameda’s all about that vintage life
Alameda keeps the past awake with old-fashioned stores , but its major vintage attraction is the monthlyAlameda Point Antiques Faire . It ’s the large in Northern California , with more than 800 trafficker setting up workshop on the former Navy base on the first Sunday of every month . you’re able to find everything from vintage clothing to knick - hang and article of furniture here – as well as some seriously unearthly material . ( Do you need a vintage headless mannequin or previous beer nursing bottle ? Look no further . ) Wear prosperous horseshoe and get ready to lose it some serious pic – this fair has a gorgeous view of the Bay Bridge .
Cruise classic cars
TheAlameda Classic Car Showhas had vintage vehicles lining Park St for 23 years and boast 400 definitive cars . Get a glimpse of all form of ride – from World War II military vehicle to tricked out humble rider – while listening to disk jockey and shopping topically ( a stroll down Park will give you everything from a lieu to buy shoes to old Irish bars ) .
You can dance in the streets
Corn domestic dog , mojitos , funnel cakes , and live medicine – you must add a street fair to your Alameda staycation . The Island hosts two major one-year fairs onPark St. The Spring Festival ordinarily happens around Mother ’s Day weekend and the Art & Wine Festival is hold back sometime in July . Both are pretty exchangeable along the lines of artsy vendors and live ring , but the major dispute is that the Art and Wine Festival has more alcohol booths ( hurrah ! ) .
There’s cuisine from around the world
Alameda has a mickle to pick out from when you ’re craving food from around the world , and it ’s mostly concentrated in a couple expanse . TryHabanas Cuban Cuisinefor a taste of something Latin ( their wampum pudding is a delectable surprisal ) , orLa Penca AzulandIsland Taqueriaif you ’re in the mood for Mexican solid food . Sidestreet Phooffers pretty priced Vietnamese , and just around the nook , Monkey King Pub and Grubserves baskets of fried chicken and garlic noodles . you may also get a taste of German food ( and live music ! ) atSpeisekammer , or grab rave - worthy short rib atCafé Jolieon Webster .
In-N-Out. ‘Nuff said.
If all those international option are n’t your speed and all you need is a treble - Double fromIn - N - Out , we do n’t judge . A new outstation of the libertine - food for thought basic ( finally ) open last year , right by the Webster St Tube . Save yourself the drive to Daly City , Fisherman ’s Wharf , or East Oakland and grab some animate being shaver here .
The Island has no shortage of bars
What ’s island living without a skilful drink ? Alameda has places for you to sip or chug , depending on your drinking mood . Lucky 13(which has a sis bar in SF ) andThe HobNobalong the main drag of Park St are local pet for a firm drinking and laid - back atmosphere .
Alameda has hella history
Remember that Alameda once had a Naval base ? You get word about The Island ’s military story at theNaval Air Museum , where exhibits cover Pacific aviation before World War II through to the base ’s closing in 1997 . The nearbyUSS Hornet Sea , Air & Space Museumoffers tours of the carrier and you ride the fight special K simulator . For $ 100 per somebody , you and a group of friends can see what life was like as a carrier crew member and spend the night on the attack aircraft carrier .
You can sip spirits and watch the sunset
There are a fistful of topographic point to drink on the former Naval basis , which also supply a gorgeous view of the Bay and the San Francisco skyline . Rock Wall Wineryis where you want to be for a classy atmospheric state ( and they host occasional day party ) . When the spirits are calling , nearbySt . George Spiritshosts tours and tastings of whiskey , rum , absinthe , and more . mob - runFaction Brewingis yet another option in the field and though they do n’t offer spell , the tasting room has more than 20 beer .
Alameda has the best collection of Victorians in the area
San Francisco is no stranger to gorgeous puritanical - style homes ( Painted Ladies , anyone ? ) , but this is a case where the East Bay does it considerably withone Victorian for every 25 peopleon the Island . Alameda is littered with bright colored , ornately decorated mansions and quaint bungalows from the turn of the last C that add together to the city ’s little - townsfolk look . If you ’ve realise enough of the wonderful ol’ house , there ’s also a ton of artificer homes and historic building that predate WWII – the metropolis estimates that there are more than 10,000 building that were manufacture before 1930 .
There’s a Forbidden Island inside the Island
Maybe you want to turn up at the end of your staycation – that ’s allow at theForbidden Island Tiki Lounge . Away from Downtown Alameda , this local promised land has alive euphony , DJs , hula hoop go - go dancers on the first Saturday of the month , flick night on Tuesdays , taproom food , and good ( study : strong and fruity ) drinks . If you see dollar mark bills hang from the roof , that ’s not the alcoholic beverage go to your head – it ’s part of the décor , as are blowfish turned into lamps and a routine of quondam surf movies on the TV screen door . Order their Chamborlada , a blending of piña colada and black raspberry liqueur in a chalice . Forbidden Island even cures the Monday blues with well-chosen time of day prices all dark long .
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Paige K. Parsons/Moment/Getty
Pacific Pinball Museum|Flickr/Thomas Hawk
Sheila Fitzgerald / shutterstock
Flickr/ian kennedy
Sidestreet Pho
Flickr/bill abbott
Rock Wall Winery
Flickr/David Brossard
courtesy of Forbidden Island