ALAMEDA RELOCATION GUIDE
Welcome to Alameda!
OnbehalfoftheAlamedaChamber&EconomicAlliance,I'dliketoextenda warmwelcometoyouandwe’rethrilledthatyouareconsideringmaking Alamedayournewhome.
AstheChamberPresident&CEO,I'vehadtheprivilegeofwitnessing firsthandtheincrediblespiritofourislandcommunity.Alamedaoffersa uniqueblendofsmall-towncharmandbig-cityamenities.Withour beautifulwaterfrontlocation,vibrantdowntown,andwelcoming neighborhoods,there'ssomethingforeveryonehere
OurthrivingbusinesscommunityistheheartofAlameda.Frominnovative startupstoestablishedcompanies,wehaveadiverserangeofindustries thatcontributetoourstronglocaleconomy.TheChamberisdedicatedto supportingourbusinessesthroughadvocacy,networkingopportunities,and resourcestohelpthemsucceed.
ButAlamedaismorethanjustaplacetodobusiness;it'saplacetobuilda life.Ourexcellentschools,safestreets,andabundanceofrecreational activitiesmakeitanidealplacetoraiseafamily.Andwitheasyaccessto transportation,youcanexplorethegreaterBayAreaandbeyond
Whetheryou'reanentrepreneur,anartist,orsimplylookingforafriendlyand welcomingcommunity,you'llfindyourplaceinAlameda.Weinviteyouto joinusandexperiencethemagicofislandliving.
Welcomehome!
Sincerely,
MadlenSaddik President,AlamedaChamber&EconomicAlliance
THINKING OF RELOCATING TO ALAMEDA?
Alameda's magic is hard to resist. It's the type of place people come to visit and choose to stay. There are few areas that successfully combine a laid-back island vibe with easy access to large cities the way our beloved island does With Alameda’s proximity to San Francisco and Oakland, we ’ re a community that is easily accessible and yet worlds away. Our 23-square mile “beach” town offers a slower-paced, less crowded, small-town feel from its city neighbors without sacrificing the fun or convenience of a hip location. We are also a growing base for life science and technologycompaniesthatarechoosingtocallthisarea"home."
Alamedahasalottooffervisitorsandresidentsalike Realestateoptionsincludeapartments and condominiums overlooking the Bay, Craftsman bungalows near urban parks, Victorian historic properties, mixed-use shopping and dining districts, and quaint ranch-style homes. Whether shopping for luxury, trendy new builds, or more affordable family options, Alameda haswhatyou’relookingfor
ACCESSIBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION
We’rean(accessible)island. Whileweboastabouttheallure ofislandliving,you’reneverfar fromanything.SanFranciscois just20-minutesawaybyferryor 40minutesbycarandOakland isrightacrossthebridge
Alamedaisamulti-modal communitywithmany transportationoptions.Checkout ouroptions.
Weofferconvenientbusand shuttleservice,trainservice (commuterandAMTRAK,partof theCapitolCorridor),andride sharing.Findoutmorehere.
Inaddition,thecounty incentivizespeopletomake greenchoicesandreducetheir carbonfootprintbycarpooling andofferingfreeparkingtotake publictransportation Findout moreabouttheprogramshere.
Alameda Airport
Options
TheOaklandAirport(OAK)islessthan fivemilesfromAlamedaanditprovides awonderfulgatewaytoconvenient flightswithouttheheadacheofa crowdedairport
Alamedahasmanyairportoptions for thebestpricesandschedulesincluding SanFrancisco(SFO)(12.9miles),San Jose(SJC)(33.3miles),Sacramento (SMF)(73.8miles)andReno(RNO) (1809miles)
WATER TRANSPORTATION
Oneofthemostspectacular waystoseetheIslandisbyferry
Alamedahasthreeferry terminalsthatlinkthecityto centralSanFranciscoinabout 20minutes,makingtheIsland accessibletohightechjobsin SouthSanFrancisco,andtothe Oaklandentertainmentareaof JackLondonSquare
Theferriesarepet,bike,and scooterfriendly,nottomention affordable.
Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle
Additionally,weofferafreeOaklandAlamedaWaterShuttle: Wheelchairaccessible
Accommodatesupto31passengersand14bicycles(onbikeracks)
RunsbetweenAlamedaLanding(behindTarget,attheBoholCircle ImmigrantParkdock)andOakland'sJackLondonSquare(atthefootof Broadway)
Operates5daysperweek,WednesdaysthroughSundays,forabout12hours eachday
TheAlamedaUnifiedSchoolDistrictservesallof Alamedaasa"unified"district,whichmeansK-8 schoolsandhighschoolsareunderthesame jurisdiction.AswithallCaliforniaschooldistricts,the schoolsarenotpartofcitygovernment.
Thedistrictservesapproximately9,300studentsfrom K-12andemploys540teachers.
Therearealso48privateschoolsandfourpublic charterschools
AlamedaSchools: Elementary
BayFarmSchool(K-8)
EarhartElementary
EdisonElementary
FranklinElementary
LoveElementary
MayaLinSchool
OtisElementary
PadenElementary
RubyBridgesElementarySchool
Aninvestmentinknowledgepaysthebestinterest ~BenjaminFranklin
EDUCATION
MiddleSchools
EncinalJr HighSchool
LincolnMiddleSchool
WoodMiddleSchool HighSchools
EncinalSr HighSchool
AlamedaHighSchool
AlamedaScience&Technology Institute
IslandHighSchool
AdditionalSchools
AlamedaAdultSchool WoodstockChildDevelopment Center
CheckoutAlameda'sratings onGreatSchools.org.
CollegeofAlameda
555RalphAppezzatoMemorial Parkway,Alameda,California94501 (510)522-7221
UTILITIES
Electric
Alameda is unusual in that it does not have private company-supplied electric The Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) was founded in 1887 and is run/owned by the City of Alameda It is the oldest municipal electric utility in California and among the oldest in the nation, public or private
The community-owned, not-forprofit utility is known for its costeffective and environmentally responsible energy. AMP’s 100% clean energy mix includes geothermal, hydroelectric, wind and landfill gas. Comparing AMP’s rates to PG&E’s, AMP customers will save 26% on average, or $22 million total, on their utility bills in fiscal year 2022
Residents and businesses love AMP because when other electric companies in the Bay Area shut down sections of power to conserve, Alameda continues to operate.
To start service, click here.
COSTOFLIVING
AccordingtoBestPlacesCostofLivingIndexes:
Theaveragecostforrent:
Alameda
WEATHER&CLIMATE
Ifyoulikeatemperateandmildclimate,you’llloveAlameda. Onaverage,weget22inchesofrain (TheUSaverageis38 inches)Andweenjoyawhopping259sunnydaysperyearso itshouldn’tsurpriseyouthatourcommunityanditsresidents lovetogetoutside (MoreaboutthatinourThingstoDo section)
Whilewecan’tsaynever,theIslandrarelygetssnow Itlast snowedin2018,beforethatin2011,andbeforethat1976 So, whenitsnowshere,it’saspectacle
WeatherAverages
SummerHigh:theJulyhighisaround71degrees
WinterLow:theJanuarylowis44degrees
Infact,ourweatherissonicethatwe’reratedan8.7(outof10= best)intheBestPlacesComfortIndex.September,August,andJuly arethemostpleasantmonthsinAlameda,whileJanuaryand Decemberareourcoolestmonths
2ndFridayArtWalk:SecondFridayeachmonth RestaurantWeekinJanuary
AlamedaCommunityBandConcertinMarch
AnnualDowntownWhiskeyStrollinMarch
SpringCelebration
EarthDayFestivalinApril
AlamedaSings!ConcertinApril
AnnualDowntownAlamedaSpringFestivalinMay
AnnualPlayfortheParksinMay
SandCastle&SculptureContestinJune
4thofJulyParade
AnnualArt&WineFaireinJuly
FrankBetteQuickdrawinJuly
Blues,Brews,&BBQinSeptember
AnnualClassicCarShowinOctober
HauntYourHouseMap&Tour
AlamedaHolidayBoutiqueinNovember
TreeLightinginDecember
HotCocoaCrawlinDecember
Alameda's4thofJulyParade:A CelebrationofAmericana!
Stretchinganimpressive3.3miles,ourparade isagrandspectaclethatembodiesthespirit ofIndependenceDay.Withmorethan170 entriesand2,500participants,it'sadazzling displayofcommunityprideandcreativity. Fromthemomentthefirstfloatrollsouttothe lastnoteplayedbythemarchingbands,you'll becaptivatedbytheenergyandexcitement.
Jointhe60,000+crowdandwitnessthis extraordinaryevent!Ourparadefeaturesa delightfulmixofequestrians,dancetroupes, vibrantfloats,classiccars,andlively marchingbands.It'satruecelebrationofour diversecommunityandatestamenttothe joyousspiritofAlameda.
THINGS TO DO
Alamedaiswell-knownforavarietyofcultural,outdoor,andart activities.Thereisalwayssomethinggoingonhere.Butthebestpartis thatourislandissobeautiful,doingnothingatallisalsoenjoyable.If youaskourresidentswhattheylikebest,they'lltellyouthatwe'reclose toeverythingbutalsoremovedfromthenoiseandtrafficofthecity.
VisittheUSSHornetMuseum
PlayonhistoricpinballmachinesatthePacificPinballMuseum
ExploretheAlamedaMuseum
VisittheMeyersHouseandGarden
SeeartifactsandexhibitsoftheformerAlamedaNavalAirStationatthe AlamedaNavalAirStationMuseum
LearnaboutthehistoryofradiobroadcastingattheCaliforniaHistoricalRadio Society-RadioCentral
RelaxonCrownMemorialBeach
SeeexhibitsforallagesatCrabCoveVisitorCenter
PlaygolfatChuckCoricaGolfComplex
Observemigratingshorebirds,ducks,pelicans,cormorants,egrets,andheronsat ElsieRoemerBirdSanctuary
SkateattheAlamedaSkatePark
WatchmodelairplanesatBillOsborneModelAirplaneField
Rentkite-boarding,windsurfing,andmoreatBoardsportsSchoolandShop
RentbikesatPedalBeach
Enjoydance,music,andtheaterperformancesatRhythmixCulturalWorks
Watchplays,musicals,andrevuesatAltarenaPlayhouse
SeeamovieatHistoricAlamedaTheatreandCineplex
AdmireartatFrankBetteCenterfortheArts
BrowsetheAlamedaArtAssociation
PlaygamesatHighScoresArcade
PlayminiaturegolfatSubparMiniatureGolf
ShopatSouthShoreShoppingCenter
ExplorethehistoricParkStreetdistrictinDowntownAlameda
BrowseuniquecollectibleandhobbyshopsandethnicrestaurantsonWebster Street
ShopanddineatAlamedaLanding
INDUSTRIES
Alamedahasabalancedeconomy,meaningthatnomatterwhat industryyouworkin,youarelikelyabletofindopportunities.Thefollowing industriesaremajoremployersandgrowinginAlameda:
MARITIME AND BLUE TECH TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION BIOTECH AND LIFE SCIENCES
NEIGHBORHOODS
k it t s W y lo c o homesor newbuilds, thereare many optionsto choose from.The namesof ourareas areas delightful asthe places themselves.
ALAMEDA LANDING:
BRONZE COAST:
TheMainStreetFerryStationisjustminutesaway,sothisisapopulararea forcommuterstoSanFrancisco.It’salsoalotoffunasamixed-use residentialarea LocatedatthenorthendofWebsterStreet,themainstreet runningverticalonthewestsideofAlameda,AlamedaLandingisa72acredevelopmentwithashoppingcenter,Target,Safeway,tonsof restaurants(withamixtureofculinarychoicesincludingBBQandpizzato Indianstreetfoodandsushi)andnewerhousing.Upuntil1997,thisarea wasknownastheFleetIndustrialSupplyCenterfortheU.S.Navy.Nowit enjoysarichnavalhistory,whichyoucanexploreatthenearbyUSSHornet Museum ·Lovethebeach?ThenBronzeCoastmightbetheidealneighborhoodfor you.ItlieseastoftheGoldCoastneighborhoodandismostlyresidential. Theareaisborderedbyalagoononthesouthernside,CentralAvenueon thenorth,ParkStreetontheeasternside,andGrandStreetonthewest If youenjoyhistorichomes,you’lllovestrollingthesewell-established residentialstreetswithQueenAnne,VictorianandCraftsmanstyles.Some ofthehomesalongthelagoonfeatureprivatedocks,fordirectaccessto thewater.
CENTRAL ALAMEDA
TheCentralAlamedaneighborhoodisborderedbyWebsterStreettothewest,GrandStreettotheeast, Central/EncinalAvenuetothesouth,andLincolnAvenuetothenorth CentralAlamedaismostlyresidential The homestylesarediverse,butyoucanfindVictorianandCraftsmanstylehomeshere Therearemanyrestaurants andotherbusinessesonWebsterStreet.There’sagym,multiplebarbershopsandhairsalons,second-hand andconsignmentstores,acomicbookstore,tattooparlors,andseveralsmallgroceryestablishments.On TuesdaysandSaturdays,visitorsandresidentsenjoyshoppingforflowers,freshfruit,andmoreattheUrban VillageFarmer’sMarketatWebsterandHaightStreets.ThePacificPinballMuseumishereaswell.Withover90 playablegamesfromthe1940stopresentday,itmakesforafundatenightfamilyouting.
EAST END
·EastEndisafavoriteoffamiliesbecauseofitsexcellentschoolsandmatureparks LincolnParkboastsapool, arosegarden,playstructures,andbaseballfields TheAlamedaBeachisminutesawayandfeaturesa walkingandbikingtrail(learnmoreintheToDosection).VisitorstothearealovetheviewoftheSanFrancisco skyline.TheEastEndneighborhoodconsistsoftheareaeastofParkStreetandincludestheFernsideand Marinaneighborhoods.TheserenestreetscrisscrossthroughamixofVictorian,Craftsman,Tudor, Mediterranean,andmid-century-modernhomes.
GOLD COAST
·TheGoldCoastneighborhoodisasin-demandasitsounds Hometooneofthebest-ratedelementary schoolsinthearea,itspopularforfamiliesandthosewholovehistory Thearea’sstatelyhomessitonlarger lotsandaresomeofthemostdesiredinAlameda Situatedonthesouth-centralpartoftheisland,theGold CoastisborderedbyCentralandEncinalAvenuestothenorth,GrandStreettotheeast,theAlamedaLagoon tothesouth,andCarolineStreettothewest.Commutersenjoythelocationasitofferseasyaccessto downtownOaklandandInterstate880viathePoseyTube.It’salsowithinwalkingdistanceoftwobuslinesthat offerregularservicetodowntownSanFranciscoandnottoofarfromtheferrystation.
HARBOR BAY/BAY FARM
Ifyouenjoysports,youwon’tbetheonlyoneinHarborBay/BayFarm BayFarmIslandismostlyresidential,butit’s alsohometotheChuckCoricaGolfComplex,aferryterminal,andplentyofofficeandretailcomplexes Bay FarmIslandisadistrictoftheCityofAlameda It’sconnectedtothemainislandbyBayFarmIslandBridge Bay Farmisconsideredtheolderpartoftheislandwhere1970’stownhomes,mid-centuryhomes,andCraftsmanstyledwellingsarepopular.HarborBayisthenewerarea,featuringman-madelagoonsandnewerhomesina 917-acreplannedcommunity.
MARINA VILLAGE
WhenyouseeapostcardofAlameda,you’relikelylookingatMarinaVillage.Theneighborhoodislocatedon thenorthwestsectionofthemainisland,justeastofWebsterStreetandsoutheastoftheWebster/PoseyTube. MarinaVillageParkwaycutsthroughMarinaVillage,curvesnorth,andeventuallyenterstheAlamedaLanding neighborhoodandshoppingcenter.Speakingofshopping,theMarinaVillageShoppingCenterisalarge outdoorshoppingcenterwithavarietyofservices,placestoeatandshop
SOUTH SHORE
·ConvenientretailandrelaxingwaterviewsaretopdrawsfortheSouthShoreneighborhood.Theareafeatures afantasticshorelinewithwalkingandbikingpaths,beacheswithvolleyballnets,andenchantingviewsofSan Francisco.Thebeachandshorelinearepopularwithfamilies,petowners,runners,andthosewholovetakingin therelaxingscenery.SouthShoreisalsohometotheSouthShoreCenter,a594,000square-footopen-air shoppingdestinationthatoffersawiderangeofservicesandstores.Thereyou’llfindamixtureofchains, franchises,andlocalshopsfeaturinglocallyproducedartisanalgiftsandtreats.
WEST END
TheWestEndalsooverlapsintoCentralAlameda.Alameda’sWestEndoffersdiversehomestyles,businesses, restaurants,andentertainmentoptions.Craftsmanbungalows,Victorians,andMid-centuryModernhomes linetheresidentialstreetsofthearea AtthenorthendofWebsterStreet,themainstreetrunningNorthand South,youwillfindAlamedaLanding-ashoppingareawithmanyrestaurants Newer-constructionhomes surroundtheshoppingcenterandofferafamily-friendlycommunity,completewithgatheringspots Nearby, youwillfindthe59-acreCollegeofAlamedacampus ThePacificPinballMuseumisalsoherewithover90 games,almostallofthemplayable
This is an exciting time to move to Alameda with lots of options, new developments, and mixed-use projects taking shape We invite you to get to know what makes this area the gem of the East Bay corridor. We also have welcomed more than a dozen new companies to the island this year alone. Work is plentiful and opportunities are abundant. Come join us on the island.
Alamedahasonemajorhospital-TheAlamedaHospital--andseveral healthcarefacilitiesincluding:
CreedonAdvancedWoundCare
MarinaWellness&SurgicalAssociates
ParkBridgeRehabilitationandWellness
SouthShoreRehabilitationandWellness
Alameda,Californiaislocatedinthecountyof Alameda.
COUNTY AND STATE GOVERNMENT
STATEOFFICIALS
StateCapitolBuilding
Sacramento,CA95814
Phone:(916)445-2841
Fax:(916)445-4633
https://www.gov.ca.gov
1021O Street
Sacramento,CA95814
Phone:(916)651-4009
Fax:(916)651-4007 Or 1515ClayStreet,Suite2202
Oakland,CA94612
Phone:(510)286-1333
Website
ATTORNEYGENERAL:ROBBONTA
StateCapitolBuilding
BOX944255
Sacramento,CA95814
Phone:(800)952-5225
Fax:(916)323-5341
https://www.oag.ca.gov
Oakland,CA94612
Phone:(510)286-1670
Fax:(510)286-1888 Website
