Your Alameda Adventure Guide

by Renee M. RutledgeJanuary 20, 2015

Alameda boasts a small-town feel while just being a hop or skip (or ferry or bridge, to be exact) from bigger Bay Area cities. With miles of beautiful coastline to roam, hill-free streets that are perfect for an all-ages bike ride, and an abundance of family-friendly venues, it’s a haven for residents and a welcome escape for visiting families. Here’s a guide to help you get started on your own Alameda adventure.

Photo: EBRPD

Play

Washington Park
One of this playground’s major charms is its proximity to other kid-friendly distractions—a duck pond with a wooden walking bridge, a grassy field practically made for freeze-tag, a dog park, and of course, the beach. Located beside a row of the island’s tallest palm trees, the playground features two play structures, a giant fish ladder, and a covered sandbox. Bring an extra change of clothes if you’ve got littles who love the water!

8^th St. and Central Ave.
Alameda, Ca
Online: alamedaca.gov

Franklin Park
This local gem is nestled in the island’s historic Gold Coast neighborhood, surrounded by beautiful old homes. The entire play area is fenced in for your little one’s safety. In addition to romping on the two play structures complete with swing sets (one for small, one for big), kiddies love to wander to the adjacent grounds to climb a tree or take a spin on the classic merry-go-round.

1432 San Antonio Ave.
Alameda, CA
Online: alamedaca.gov

Lincoln Park
It’s fun to imagine Lincoln Park as it stood in the 1800s—a large estate complete with a mansion and sprawling gardens. Today, the park is a haven on hot days, when large trees provide shade over the larger of two play structures. There’s also a bocce court, rose garden, and outdoor exercise station with fitness equipment for mom and dad. There’s not a prettier place to play!

1450 High St.
Alameda, CA
Online: alamedaca.gov

Studio Grow
This popular East Bay play space recently branched out with a location in Alameda’s South Shore Center, where ice cream at Loard’s or lunch at Panera is just a hop and a skip away. Pop by for drop-in play in the large room equipped with educational toys, or schedule your visit during one of the daily storytime, dance party, or parachute time programs that are included with admission.

2202 S. Shore Center
Alameda, CA
Online: StudioGrow.com

Photo: Tomatina

Eat

The HobNob
Combine dinner and family game night at this laid back Park Street eatery where board games line the back shelves. Sliders, baked macaroni and cheese, and comforting soups like butternut squash or split pea will satisfy the little ones’ palates while their grown-ups enjoy more sophisticated choices, from ahi tuna tartare tacos to fresh oysters. Come during happy hour for cheap drinks and to avoid the dinner rush.

1313 Park St.
Alameda, Ca
510-769-1011
Online: thehobnobalameda.com

Speisekammer
A trip to Germany waits on the other side of the Park Street Bridge at this decades-old Alameda establishment. Toast to a family night out over a pitcher of Bitburger Pilsner while the kids enjoy Reibekuchen (potato pancakes served with housemade apple compote), Kasebrett mit Fruchten (European cheeses and seasonal fruits), or a variety of German entrees like stuffed cabbage rolls or grilled pork chops, conveniently available in half sizes.

2424 Lincoln Ave.
Alameda, Ca
510-522-1300
Online: speisekammer.com

Café Jolie
Did someone say beignets? The mere mention can make mouths water, and at Café Jolie, this delectable dish as well as a range of other French American specialties are prepared with local and sustainable ingredients. You’ll have to share your beignets with the kiddo, though, because the kids’ menu features faves like French toast and pancakes instead.

1500 Webster St.
Alameda, Ca
Online: CafeJolies.com

Tomatina
It’s hard to go wrong with pizza, pasta, and veggies dipped in ranch dressing, all on the kids’ menu at Tomatina, where kids eat free on Thursdays. The main menu also features soups, salads, calzones, piadine, signature beverages, and desserts. Request a seat on the outdoor patio to enjoy your sangria al fresco while your mini sips on sparkling lemonade.

1338 Park St.
Alameda, CA
510-521-1000
Online: Tomatina.com

Blue Dot Café
Well known for being family-friendly, the Blue Dot has a comfy seating area just for kids, complete with a basket of books and toys. On weekends, live music often accompanies your meal. Kids’ menu choices include the likes of bowtie pasta with butter and parmesan or marinara served with animal crackers for lunch and cinnamon swirl toast for breakfast.

1910 Encinal Ave.
Alameda, Ca
510-523-2583
Online: Bluedotcafeandcoffeebar.com

La Penca Azul
Many Alamedans still remember this Mexican restaurant by its original name—La Pinata. With a loyal patronage that spans decades, La Penca Azul promises a festive atmosphere for the whole family. Share your full-size orders with the kids, or order something from the kids’ menu, which always comes with a side of crayons.

1440 Park St.
Alameda, Ca
510-769-9110
Online: LaPencaAzul.com

Alameda Marketplace
Find a variety of healthy choices for your picky eaters under one roof, from California rolls and miso soup at Sushi King to fresh, organic take-away at Greens & Grains. The Marketplace is home to 10 local vendors that focus on handmade, artisan foods. While you’re there, you can pick up some groceries, too.

1650 Park St.
Alameda, Ca
Online: AlamedaMarketplace.com

Photo: Le Petit Matisse

Explore

Le Petit Matisse
As Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist,” so gather your young Fridas, Van Goghs, and Renoirs and set them loose at Le Petit Matisse art studio. Sign them up for painting, sculpture, shapes and colors, or drop in-art and rest easy knowing all the art materials here are 100 percent natural, from the non-toxic paint to the beeswax blend crayons.

1405 Encinal Ave.
Alameda, Ca
415-368-5155
Online: lepetitmatisse.org

USS Hornet Museum
Your little one may have a toy ship at home, but wouldn’t it be fun to explore the real thing? In addition to a range of historical exhibits, this giant aircraft carrier hosts fun events like Living Ship Days, Flashlight Tours, and birthday parties.

707 W Hornet Ave.
Alameda, Ca
510-521-8448
Online: uss-hornet.org

Subpar Mini Golf
Escape the wind and the rain with a game of indoor miniature golf. Each of 18 holes takes you through a tour of famous Bay Area landmarks. Kids will also love the skeeball, air hockey, foosball, arcade, and six-lane slot car track.

1511 Park St.
Alameda, CA
510-521-4653
Online: Subparminigolf.com

Photo: EBRPD

Crab Cove and Crown Beach
Alameda is perhaps best known for its miles of uncrowded shoreline. At the end of Crown Beach, Crab Cove is perfect for the kids, with regular low tides that are great for exploring. The Crab Cove Visitor Center contains an aquarium, interactive nature exhibits, and weekly programs like fish feeding and beach exploration.

1252 McKay Ave.
Alameda, CA
Online: ebparks.org

Toy Safari
Treasures line this famed toy store from floor to ceiling, where you’ll find all the classic games and characters you played with as a kid, as well as popular new additions for your playroom. The toy store also keeps a Toy Bucket List created by customers, so you will always find helpful recommendations on what to buy.

1410 Park St.
Alameda, Ca
510-522-1723
Online: Toysafaritoys.com

Alameda Point Antiques Faire
Each month, this one-of-a-kind antiques fair, the largest of its kind in Northern California, attracts hundreds of treasure seekers to the island to browse over 800 antique dealer booths. See what baubles or collectibles your kids will find. Children under 15 are admitted free. There are food vendors here, too, so you won’t leave hungry.

2900 Navy Way
Alameda, Ca
Online: Alamedapointantiquesfaire.com

Photo: Cookiebar Creamery

Sips & Sweets

Tucker’s
This Alameda institution is the first on many a list when it comes to dessert. Made the old-fashioned way in batch freezers, the ice cream here lives up to its name of being “supercreamed.” Junior scoops and fresh-made waffle cones are available.

1349 Park St.
Alameda, CA
Online: Tuckersicecream.com

Feel Good Bakery
Kids love macarons for their rainbow of colors. At Feel Good Bakery in the Alameda Marketplace, there’s always a new macaron flavor to discover. Everything here is made from scratch, from the sourdough bread to the pizza.

1650 Park St.
Alameda, Ca
510-864-2733
Online: FeelGoodBakery.com

Cookiebar
Relatively new on the scene, Cookiebar saw a quick rise to fame as an Alameda favorite. Housemade ice cream in flavors like Fruity Pebbles, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Sea Salted Caramel come delivered in a manner that kids love: between two soft cookies.

1606 Webster St.
Alameda, Ca
510-521-1544
Online: Cookiebarcreamery.com

Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden
The enchanting back garden at Julie’s is the perfect place to enjoy a cozy tea party, even if it’s just between you and your little one. The grilled cheese sandwich is a favorite with kids, paired with a lavender lemonade or ginger-lemon brew.

1223 Park St.
Alameda, Ca
510-865-2385
Online: Juliestea.com

Yogofina
Froyo may never go out of style, and the choices for froyo in Alameda are many. Yogofina offers smaller cup sizes for kids, who love to pick among toppings like fruit, cereal, and gummy bears.

1335 Park St.
Alameda, CA
510-814-0658
Online: Yogofina.com

—Renee Rutledge

What’s your favorite spot in Alameda? Tell us in the comments below!

Tourist For a Day: 3 Perfect Day Trips In Our Own Backyard

by Erin LemMay 25, 2011

FIVE MILES: Sausalito + Cavallo Point
Stellar sushi, holistic makeovers, and a Michelin-starred restaurant in the village across the bay.

9 am Cross the Golden Gate and overshoot Sausalito by a few miles for breakfast at the Dipsea Café, just off the Stinson Beach/Mill Valley exit from 101 North. Marinites worship at this brekkie altar because of the nonstandard offerings, like a homemade gravlax platter, cheese blintzes, and a sinful chorizo-tortilla scramble. 200 Shoreline Highway, Mill Valley, 415-381-0298.

10 am Head over to Sea Trek in Sausalito for some bay kayaking. Your options are many: Take a guided paddle under the Golden Gate Bridge, or stay closer to shore in the Sausalito harbor. You can also rent a beginner’s sit-atop kayak and take it out on your own, skipping the intro class. Schoonaker Point Marina, Sausalito, 415-332-8494.

1 pm Dry off and head to town for a well-earned lunch at Sushi Ran. There’s a simple reason city dwellers cross the bridge for a fix at this sushi institution: the fish. Shark-skin flounder flown in from Tokyo’s Tsukiji market sits alongside a spicy tuna roll that even purists salivate over, and you can’t go wrong with the omakase lunch special. Reservations are recommended for the main dining room. 107 Caledonia St., 415-332-3620.

2 pm Spend a long afternoon at Cavallo Point, the otherworldy, sprawling lodge nestled within Fort Baker. The simple but luxurious design blends into the national park setting, making the 3-year-old resort somewhat of a hidden gem. The Healing Arts Center & Spa offers more than just the usual facials and massages. There’s also acupuncture, herbal consultations, and nutritional counseling. Better yet, get an internal makeover with Cavallo’s resident doctor, Brad Jacobs, who runs Cavallo’s Integrative Medicine program. Sit down with him for an hour or two, and Dr. Jacobs will design a personalized health regimen, including diet, exercise, supplements, and mind-body relaxation techniques. Afterward, relax by the roaring fire, and order from the tea bar. 601 Murray Circle, Sausalito, 415-339-4700.

6 pm Though the vibe at Cavallo’s bar, Farley’s, is laid-back, there’s an air of old money, and they make a mean negroni that goes nicely with it. Afterward, settle in for dinner at Murray Circle, where executive chef and Michael Mina alum Joseph Humphrey has earned himself a Michelin star for his imaginative yet restrained take on fresh and local. You’ll find Devil’s Gulch rabbit (with prosciutto, celery root, chanterelles, smoked dates, and braised romaine), Liberty Farms duck (with roasted foie gras and turnips cooked in caramel, fennel, and licorice), and Drakes Bay oysters from Inverness served three ways. Save room for the wine-paired chocolate tasting at the end.

10 MILES: Lake Merritt + Piedmont
Pastries, rowboats, and a hidden hot springs in Oakland’s urban enclave.

9 am Take the Bay Bridge to 580 East to Lake Merritt, Oakland’s 3.4-mile-round lagoon just outside downtown. To the north of the lake, stop at Berkeley’s Cheeseboard offshoot, Arizmendi Bakery, for coffee, sticky pecan rolls, corn-cherry scones, or a sweet brioche knot. 3265 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland, 510-268-8849.

10:30 am Drive 5 minutes to the Lake Merritt Boating Center to rent a rowboat. The boats are classic (and make for a romantic floating picnic), but if you want something easier to steer, the center also rents out pedal boats and kayaks. Make stops along the beaches and parks on the shore where fishermen are casting, or head straight

out to the center of the lake, bring your oars into the boat, and then relax in the sun as you drift back. 568 Bellevue Ave., Oakland, 510-238-2196.

1 pm After you drop off the boat, drive clockwise around the lake to the other side. Opposite the boating center is Lake Chalet, owned by Gar and Lara Truppelli of Beach Chalet and Park Chalet in Golden Gate Park. For a satisfying lunch with a view, grab a table or couch at the end of the dock, and order sweet potato fries or calamari with a pint of one of the house-made ales, such as a crisp Lady of the Lake pale with a hint of hops. You deserve it. 1520 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, 510-208-5253.

2:30 pm Spend the rest of the afternoon on quaint Piedmont Avenue, just two miles north of the lake. Between Pleasant Valley Avenue and West MacArthur Boulevard, you’ll find a row of restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, and boutiques, plus the Piedmont Landmark Theatre, a tiny three-screener that shows (mostly) quirky independent films and cult classics. Hidden behind a glass storefront on the same stretch of sidewalk is Piedmont Springs. The spa is great for soothing aching muscles with a massage, quick steam, or time in one of the private “combination” rooms with an outdoor hot tub and cedar-lined sauna room, for just $22 an hour. 3939 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, 510-652-9191;  4186 Piedmont Ave., Oakland,  510-985-1252.

7 pm For the past two years, Oakland’s been buzzing over chef James Syhabout’s Commis. The white, open-kitchen dining room is minimalist and anything but pretentious. The four-course menu ($68), based on California seasonal cuisine, keeps it simple with just nine dishes including desserts. Think rich sunchoke soup; roasted chicken with braised garlic, potato, and caramelized onions; and a creamy panna cotta punched up with citrus, pomegranate, and coriander. 3859 Piedmont Ave., 510-653-3902.

30 MILES: Woodside + Half Moon Bay
Power breakfasts, towering redwoods, and big red wines half an hour south of town.

10 am Drive down Interstate 280 to Woodside for breakfast at Buck’s, which looks like a kitsch-splattered diner owned by a crazy man (that would be Jamis MacNiven, father to the local MacNiven brothers who run Woodhouse Fish Co.), but it’s actually a gathering spot for Silicon Valley power brokers. You’re here for the legend more than the food—though French toast made with croissants is definitely worth a try. 3062 Woodside Road, Woodside, 650-851-8010.

11:30 am Head inland on Skyline Drive to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, a little-known piece of nature in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Its 21 miles of groomed hiking trails take you through redwood groves, canyons, and hilltops with sweeping views of the coast. Skyline Boulevard, 650-691-1200.

3 pm Continue north on Skyline Boulevard toward Half Moon Bay. Just a few miles before its downtown, stop at La Nebbia Winery. Don’t let its down-home tasting room fool you. The winery produces well-regarded Sangiovese, Cabernet, and Muscat. Tastings are only $8, there are light snacks on hand (or you can bring your own), and you’re encouraged to wander out to the bocce court for a leisurely game. On the second and fourth Sunday of the month, the winery hosts local musicians. 12341 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay, 650-726-7074.

5 pm Just north of HMB on Highway 1, Sam’s Chowder House is the definitive place to be come dinnertime. Have drinks on the deck’s Adirondack chairs overlooking the ocean, and warm up by the heat lamps and fire pits. On Saturdays 4–8 pm and Sundays 1–5 pm, there’s live music outside, everything from rock to jazz, blues, reggae, and more. Afterward, go inside for crab cakes, cioppino, clams with linguini, or a decadent Maine lobster roll. True to its East Coast roots, Sam’s serves both both New England and Manhattan-style clam chowder. There’s homemade soft-serve or a root beer float for dessert. With home a mere half hour away, you can stay as long as you like. 4210 N. Cabrillo Hwy., Half Moon Bay, 650-712-0245.

By 7×7 Editors

This is our weekly guest post from our friends at 7×7, a site that keeps you up on the best of SF. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a fantastic Date Night idea each week. Be sure to check out their blog for hourly doses of the best of SF.

ML Interest Tag: bocce-courts