10 reasons why Alameda Rules!

After years of living in San Francisco and Oakland, I've finally found my HOME in the lovely charming town of Alameda. I call it the place where people who LIVED and LOVED in San Francisco moved to when they got hitched and had babies. Amazingly, not too many people know about Alameda. It's THE hidden treasure and I hope it stays that way.

Top 10 reasons why Alameda rules!

1. It's 15 minutes from downtown SF and 5 minutes from downtown Oakland.
2. It has all the neighborhood elements of San Francisco that you love (local cafes, boutique shops, vintage theaters, a local art scene, trendy restaurants, punk rock bars and mojito drinking yuppie haunts).
3. Like SF is entirely walkable and because it's flat, it's bike friendly and safe (25 mph speed limit on the island).
4. The public schools are good.
5. If it's vintage architectual charm you seek, Alameda has it all...Edwardian, Victorian, Craftsmen, Tudor.
6. Are you a foodie? Sushi, Cuban, Spanish Tapas, Mexican, Vegan, you name it, you can find it here.
7. Alameda Towne Center- it's here and people I know never leave the island to shop because everything is here. Let's see...there's Borders, Trader Joes, Old Navy, Safeway, Chipotle, Beverlys, Bed Bath Beyond, TJ MAXX, Kohls, Loards, Applebees, Payless shoes, Borders, spas, hair salons, Paganos Hardware store, Starbucks.... basically if you want to get your shopping grove on, come here.
8. The beach. How could you not love living a 5 minute walk to the beach? It's the bay and not the ocean, but to my 2 and 5 year old, it's got sand, water, crabs, fish and seaweed and that's all that matters.
9. Park Street is our towns main business street. It's downtown Alameda and it's fabulous. Most of the boutique shops in Alameda are here. Our favorite store is Toy Safari, an old school toy store that has something for every little Alamedan.
10. The people. The community. People really make this town what it is. From the PTA to the Mayor, everyone who lives is Alameda is happy to be here in our little hidden treasure.