Alameda, CA

Travel Guide

Rosenblum Cellars
Rosenblum Cellars which includes a bar and interior views
USS Hornet Museum showing a marina
Rosenblum Cellars which includes outdoor eating as well as a small group of people
Rosenblum Cellars
This small island city in San Francisco Bay combines eclectic museums and excellent dining with coastal trails, winery tours and watersports.

Across the bay from San Francisco, Alameda is a city with a small-town ambiance. It spreads over the leafy Alameda Island and Bay Farm Island. Visit Alameda for its tidy beaches, bayside pathways, watersports and wondrous views. Discover museums dedicated to naval history and pinball, and delve into a busy drinking, dining and shopping scene.

Begin your visit with insights into the history of the city at Alameda Museum. The Alameda Naval Air Museum retells the story of the city’s decommissioned naval base. Tour the USS Hornet Museum, a World War II aircraft carrier that aided in the recovery of Apollo 11. Play some of more than 90 vintage machines at the Pacific Pinball Museum and browse interesting exhibits at the Frank Bette Center For the Arts.

Miles of bike paths and walking trails skirt the city’s shorelines and invite exploration of attractive natural spaces. Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach is a popular spot for picnics, swimming, kite flying and wind surfing. Learn about the plants and animals of the Bay Area at Crab Cove Visitor Center and Aquarium. Spot aquatic birds at the Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary.

Stroll through the heart of Downtown Alameda via lively Park Street. Here, low-key and fine dining restaurants serve everything from Burmese to Ethiopian and Lithuanian cuisine. Boutiques and craft stores sit alongside restaurants inspired by Asian and European flavors on Webster Street. Attend a play or musical at the Altarena Playhouse.

At Alameda Point, head to Monarch Street, also known as Spirits Alley, to visit artisanal breweries, distilleries and wineries. Sample wines on a tour of the Rock Wall Wine Company. Sip vodka at Hangar 1 Vodka and brandies, gins, liqueurs and vodkas at St. George Spirits.

Travel to Alameda by catching a ferry to Alameda Main Street terminal from the Port of San Francisco or Fisherman’s Wharf. Public buses connect the city with Downtown Oakland. An almost citywide 25-mile-per-hour (40-kilometer-per-hour) speed limit helps maintain the neighborhood’s laid-back vibe.

Where to stay in Alameda

Sunset over the kite surfing beach in Alameda

West Alameda

4/5(23 area reviews)

While visiting West Alameda, you might make a stop by sights like Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach and Crab Cove Visitor Center.

West Alameda
The beautiful Alameda Island was stunning because my husband and I live in a land locked state.  The beauty of the water surrounding this island was gorgeous! 
#LifeAtExpedia

West End

While West End isn't home to many top sights, Jack London Square and Crab Cove Visitor Center are some notable places to visit nearby.

West End
USS Hornet Museum featuring aircraft and signage

Alameda Point

While visiting Alameda Point, you might make a stop by sights like San Francisco Bay and USS Hornet Museum.

Alameda Point
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East End

While visiting East End, you might make a stop by sights like Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach and AMF Southshore Lanes.

East End
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Gold Coast

While Gold Coast might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Jack London Square and Crab Cove Visitor Center.

Gold Coast
Alameda featuring street scenes and heritage elements

Downtown Alameda

While Downtown Alameda isn't home to many top sights, Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach and Crab Cove Visitor Center are some notable places to visit nearby.

Downtown Alameda
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
4 out of 5
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
$164 nightly
The price is $193 total per night from Jul 2 to Jul 3
$193 total
Jul 2 - Jul 3
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,534 reviews)
"Stayed 6 days. Great hotel loved the location to walk to so many places. Very clean place. Great breakfast everyday included. Wish pool was inside cause it was to cold to use but other than that I would recommend and would stay again."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
$128 nightly
The price is $150 total per night from Jul 2 to Jul 3
$150 total
Jul 2 - Jul 3
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,184 reviews)
"Amazing"

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
3.5 out of 5
1177 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA
$93 nightly
The price is $106 total per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
$106 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Burlingame. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,848 reviews)
"Air conditioning was poor. Window could have blocked sunlight better"

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Coral Reef Inn & Suites
Coral Reef Inn & Suites
2.5 out of 5
400 Park St, Alameda, CA
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Alameda. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
6.8/10 (2,750 reviews)
"By the water but the area has really gone down"

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2025

Coral Reef Inn & Suites
Beautiful and Lush Hidden Wisteria Getaway
Beautiful and Lush Hidden Wisteria Getaway
Alameda
Stay at this cottage in Alameda. Enjoy a garden, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Jack London Square and San Francisco Bay are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (270 reviews)
"This is a great place for a couple to stay in Alameda. The cottage is beautifully appointed, quiet, and within easy walking distance of the Park Street shops. Safeway and Trader Joes are a five minute drive away. The adjoining gardens, which guests are free to use, are lovely. The cottage comes supplied ..."

Reviewed on Jun 5, 2025

Beautiful and Lush Hidden Wisteria Getaway
Stunning Alameda Beachfront Apt.  Spectacular Dtown SF Views- Book Now on VRBO!
Stunning Alameda Beachfront Apt. Spectacular Dtown SF Views- Book Now on VRBO!
2 out of 5
Alameda
Stay at this apartment in Alameda. Enjoy a fitness center, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Jack London Square and San Francisco ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (17 reviews)
Weekend trip to the Bay
"Had a wonderful relaxing weekend staying at this place. There was more than enough space for the seven of us with the location having great views of the bay and SF Skyline. Ramona was great with any questions we had."

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2025

Stunning Alameda Beachfront Apt. Spectacular Dtown SF Views- Book Now on VRBO!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Alameda

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
78
5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
113
4 - Good 48%
3 - Okay
36
3 - Okay 15%
2 - Disappointing
5
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
4
1 - Terrible 2%

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

Staff wasn't the best night work really stressed me out very unstable a I think she has PTSD cuz she seems like she's schizophrenic

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Thought it was a very cool place and would like to spend some more time there in the future.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Webster Street and surrounding area continues to improve. Businesses and homes are being upgraded. Marijuana Dispensary on main street NOT appreciated! Run down ticky tacky businesses gradually disappearing along Webster(main street).

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

No

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Alameda has nice shopping center.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We went to the USS Hornet Museum. It was full of historical info.

Cities near Alameda