photos above are of Oakland
 

The City of Alameda has a small town feel with its Victorian homes and tree lined neighborhoods. Alameda offers history and charm, and is known for its large Victorian houses; 9% of all single-family houses (1500) in Alameda are Victorians, and many more have been divided into 2 to 4-unit dwellings. Situated on San Francisco Bay across the estuary from Oakland, it is becoming a popular destination for visitors seeking to connect with the past.

If history is what you seek, there's really no better place in the Bay Area to spend a day touring the Victorian homes and museums.  Starting in the West End, be sure to visit to the USS Hornet Museum.

Then take Webster Street towards the beach. For a small island, Alameda has miles of beaches and bays. Due to its proximity to the Bay, wind surfers and kite surfers can often be seen along Crown Memorial State Beach and Shoreline Drive. From the beach there are also views of the San Francisco skyline and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Bird watching is a favorite in this region, as well.

Museums

USS Hornet Museum. One of the recent attractions is the aircraft carrier that took the  USS HORNET (CV-12). The eighth Hornet commissioned in 1943 just 16 months after her keel was laid saw action for 16 continuous months during World War II in the Pacific combat zone, sometimes within 40 miles of the Japanese home islands. She was never hit, though she was under air attack 59 times, and she supported nearly every Pacific amphibious landing after March 1944.

 

Alameda native Jimmy Doolittle was known for the launching of a squadron of B-25s in the Tokyo raid of World War II. After the Doolittle raid sunk the Hornet, CV-8 on October 27, 1942 at the battle of Santa Cruz islands, the Hornet, CV-12 went on to destroy 1410 Japanese aircraft, scored the first critical hits in sinking the super battleship YAMATO, and launched the first 1945 strikes against Tokyo since the 1942 Doolittle Raid.

 

USS Hornet Museum, Pier 3, Alameda Point
Alameda, CA 94501
www.uss-hornet.org

Alameda Museum is located at 2324 Alameda Avenue near Park Street. Admission to the museum is free, although donations are encouraged.  Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.; Saturday 11a.m. - 4p.m. Phone 510.521.1233. www.alamedamuseum.org

Permanent displays of Alameda history, the only rotating gallery showcasing local Alameda artists and student artwork, as well as souvenirs, books and videos about the rich history of the Island City. The Alameda Historical Society was founded in 1948, and the Museum was established in 1951. In 1983 the Alameda Museum was designated as the official repository of historical documents and artifacts for the City of Alameda.

Meyers House Museum was erected in 1897. It is an example of Colonial Revival, an architectural style popular around the turn of the century. Designed by Henry H. Meyers, the house was built by his father, Jacob Meyers, at a cost of $4000.00.  Mr. Meyers was a prominent East Bay architect who received many Alameda County commissions. His work includes the portal entrance of the Posey Tube in Alameda, ten veterans buildings throughout Alameda County, plus numerous public buildings and churches.  2021 Alameda Avenue, Alameda, California.

In 1894 he married Bertha May, whose father was a prominent rancher in Alvarado, California. The couple had three daughters. Edith (1900-1971) was a physician, Mildred (1898-1982) practiced as an architect, and Jeanette (1905-93) ran their Dry Creek Ranch near Union City. Mr Meyers died in 1943, followed by his wife in 1947.

The home is situated on a three-parcel lot, that includes the original fencing and pergola, three-car garage, carriage house, green house, and an architectural studio built in 1935. The Meyers House has received numerous additions, designed by Mildred Meyers, a practicing architect.

The three Meyers sisters bequeathed the house and grounds to the City of Alameda for use as a house museum and a passive park. www.alamedamuseum.org/
 

Events

Art In the Park
Art In the Park is an annual event that takes place in Jackson Park (Encinal and Park Ave) and is produced by the management and staff of the Alameda Recreation & Parks department. This event is held in the late summer and features over 100 local artists, two music areas, a children's activity area, food, poetry readings and art demonstrations. This event is free to the public.

Alameda Legacy Home Tour - held usually in September, this event includes a lecture series and tours of some of Alameda's outstanding Victorian houses. www.alameda-home-tour.org


Entertainment

Alameda Civic Light Opera
875 A Island Drive, #292
Alameda, CA 94502
www.aclo.com

Altarena Playhouse
1409 High Street
Alameda, CA 94501
www.altarena.org

Crab Cove Visitor Center
VISITOR CENTER HOURS Wednesdays-Sundays from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
ADDRESS 1252 McKay Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501-7805.

Crab Cove Visitor Center at Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda features all new exhibits opened in April 2004. You can see bay creatures in the 800-gallon aquarium system, use interactive stations for varying age groups to view microscopic animals, build a crab from the inside out, or get a lug worm's view of the mudflats. You'll see amazing depictions of the underwater world of San Francisco Bay. At the Visitor Center you can also plunge into San Francisco Bay without getting wet, or travel back in time to Alameda's colorful past.

 

Until the late 1930s, the area now occupied by the visitor center was part of a thriving resort community featuring bathing spas and an amusement park. Later, during and just after World War II, it was the site of the U.S. Maritime Service Officers School, a training base for Merchant Marine commanders. What is now the visitor center building was the base infirmary.

Crab Cove Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Naturalist-guided programs for school groups and other organized groups are available Wednesday through Friday by advance reservation. See the Regional Parks Foundation's Field Trip Headquarters or call (510) 521-6887. Weekend programs provide exciting opportunities for you to learn about Bay ecology and the local area; download our monthly program guide to see a list of upcoming activities. Crab Cove Visitor Center is located at 1252 McKay Ave., Alameda, 94501.

 

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