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Alameda Beach
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
57 reviews for Alameda Beach
57 reviews in English
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Review from Soo Jin K.
Alameda, CA
5/6/2012
I've lived in Alameda for close to 6 years (on and off), and everyone will always ask me, "why Alameda?" My answer was always, "because it's peaceful, safe and close to work."
This is my go-to spot for a good run. At night or during the early mornings, I start running from my place (mid-town), then run along the beach, then head up toward the park, and down to Webster street. Literally covering all of Alameda-- I believe it's about 4-5 miles. I forgot how much I enjoyed running and the freedom it allows. Usually, I practice yoga but I can't stand being in a confined room anymore, although I love the intense sweating that bikram brings. I especially love running on the beach because the sand makes the run that much harder, I can literally feel the burn in my thighs and bum. My motto: no pain, no gain.
I've also spent many days just hanging at the beach, journaling, reading, working on my tan, tossing a Frisbee around, listening to music, taking a nap. I mean, it really doesn't get any better than that. The best is at night, when it's dark and you can look across to see the Bay Bridge. I'm not going to lie, it's awesome to live so close to a beach. :) -
Review from Jen L.
4/22/2012
I really wish I could give this place a 3.5 - somewhere in between A-OK and Yay! I'm a fan.
I definitely frequent this place a lot since it's so convenient - right across the street from Southshore Shopping Center. I LOVE walking here in the morning. You can hear the waves lap onto the beach, and it is so peaceful. I also love the view of the SF skyline from here, amazing and always instagram worthy.
But on hot days such as yesterday, the tiny beach gets PACKED - lots of kids and rude teenagers. I tried to go for a walk with S, but it was just too busy. I prefer when there's no one there. I've definitely had better beach experiences farther south (Santa Cruz, HMB...).
Go here in the morning if you're looking for a good place to walk/think/meditate. Don't go here on hot days if you're looking for a good beach experience. -
Review from Esther S.
4/16/2012
This place is really peaceful. Not that great of a beach in terms of "day at the beach" but its great for a nice stroll.
You can see the SF skyline from here as well as part of the Oakland Shipping yard.
Quiet place with lots of road side parking. Bathrooms and footpath available.
Also saw lots of ladies tanning amongst the brush hidden mostly from view which is kinda nice (against people staring at you).
The tide was super low when we went and it was really fun walking way out onto the ocean! -
Review from The H.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 4/24/2012
I wish they would ban the McDonald's across the street! That seems to be the source of most of the litter.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/5/2010
I don't know where Crown Memorial ends and Alameda Beach begins, so I don't know which beach I'm… Read more »
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Review from Meghan M.
San Francisco, CA
4/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
I personally love this beach. Although I am not from Alameda one of my best dudes lives out there and he lives right next to this beach. now it aint like its hawaii or anything but what makes this beach special is the memory I associate with it everytime, so it really is what you make of it.
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Review from Allen S.
Alameda, CA
I grew up on the island and though many people don't consider the Alameda Beach so nice, well too bad for them! Where else can you get miles of sand that face the San Francisco Cityscape, as well as the Peninsula? It's sunnier here, warmer here, and the people are friendlier here. If I were on the other side of the Bay, it would be cold, foggy, and there's no beach! And people aren't as nice.
There's the opportunity to run, play volleyball, do water sports, have barbecues, parties, and other things. Dogs/Cats must be on leashes so that's good if you have little kids with you.
There are ample "human need" pitstop areas as well as water fountains.
Great views and great people. Great atmosphere and great amenities. Great, great, great!
Don't knock our beach until you come.
Oh, and sometimes the water is warm but I never get into it... I'm more of a swimming pool person.
And one piece of advise... do NOT fee the raccoons as they will attack you! -
Review from Jose O.
Alameda, CA
5/27/2011 45 Check-ins Here
The beaches of Alameda are the gems of the city. I have walked on its sand, run on its paths and have felt its bone shattering cold waters. The beaches are clean and I wouldn't think twice about walking barefoot on it shore. The white sands are kept busy with runners, kite surfers, fishermen and families. The beaches shallow waters are heavy impacted by the tide. On many occasions I have come across stranded marine life unable to retrieve to safety.
If you happen to be in the area make sure to schedule-in a sunset. The view of the sun hiding behind the skyscrapers of San Francisco is a lovely sight. Keep away from the Salt Marsh Overlook unless it's a windy day. The Overlook is next to Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary and the stale water gives off a foul-smell. -
Review from Rachel G.
Alameda, CA
7/1/2011
Pros: For those that live on this side of the bay, it's the closest you'll get to the beach, unless you head to SF. Good place to walk along the shoreline or go for a jog and bike ride.
Cons: The beach is dirty, filthy & smelly. There are no waves what so ever, and wouldn't recommend swimming or going into the water here. The water just looks really filthy and gross! There's dog crap every few yards when you walk here. As for the sand/beach, there really isn't much. Also, when it becomes low tide, it smells like rotten eggs everywhere! Ahhhh gross! -
Review from Dennis S.
Oakland, CA
11/30/2011 9 Check-ins Here
Been coming here for years, from building sandcastles to building up my endurance and and leg muscles. A.B. is an all purpose place, where I like to clear my head. I have many fond memories of coming to this place. The best part about it is it really hasn't changed.
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Review from Jean-Guillaume D.
San Francisco, CA
I grew up on this beach and I recall being big waves enough to have fun but now there's nothing. I got really sad about that. I like big waves coming in like the ones in Monterrey.
It's a good place to lay on the sand and maybe get in also if you're on the Alameda Town Centre side it's good because you get food and shopping area, but i think that side of the beach is weak.
I still come here and will keep coming but it's not that great as it used to be. -
Review from Shiki W.
Oakland, CA
I grew up loving this little beach, and still do. I remember roller blading on the sidewalk with my dad and my sis while my then totally prego mom walked at her own pace behind us. This beach holds beautiful, priceless family memories.
I come here when I need a place to think or just to enjoy the scenery. Weekdays are so peaceful and serene here. All you hear are the cars slowly whooshing by and the sound of small waves kissing the beach. Weekends here tend to be swarmed with families, cyclers and puppies ~ but the the buzz of it all still feels friendly and relaxed.
The beach itself is clear of trash, but you will find the normal beach artifacts washed up on shore: pieces of wood, lots of seaweed, broken shards of sea shells. It's a bit of a challege if you want to walk in the shallow waters because your feet will be eaten by tangles of seaweed!
Love love love this place! Neighbors, lovers and friends ~ please do your part to keep this beach clean of trash and puppy poo when you visit! -
Review from Marzan W.
San Leandro, CA
12/12/2008
Is this the beach central for perverts only? Ladies, be cautious. This beach attracts a lot of pervs apparently. My dog even got the elevator eyes!
Iggy Pop's "Perverts in the Sun." How appropriate, ain't it?
"Perverts in the sun.
Perving everyone.
Perverts in the sun.
Perving everyone."Listed in: The Places I Go Running &…
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Review from Chad L.
San Leandro, CA
1/5/2009
This is the story of how Alameda Beach became a part of my life. It is a cute story of a large pale man and a tiny large headed little woman. The story actually doesn't begin here though... in fact it doesn't even end here, but we'll get to that part later. It was a few years back when I met this young girl who intrigued me so. She was cute, smart and well... really cool. Did I mention that she was cute? Anyway, we had been talking for months and we had met up at the local coffee house to discuss her ailing relationship and her issues with her current partner. We would laugh and she would complain and that's kind of just how it was.
We eventually made plans to go out with another one of her friends to see a drag king show in Oakland, it was here that I realized I could not hide my crush for this tiny voluptuously headed beauty. When the burlesque big girl flapped off her top our hands met at the table in the dark and I held tight hoping that my new companion would not notice that I didn't really want to let go. We all walked back to the car, drove to dinner and once again the frustration over this big headed beauties relationship came to bear.
A few more weeks came and went before my marvelously massive headed love interest had ended her relationship and became aware of my not so secret crush. We decided to go the beach and hang out that night before returning to my house to watch "Flavor Of Love." It was this night that would make Alameda beach more than some random toxic waste sight. It was here that my love for this lovely woman would come to fruition. It was here that the story of our love would begin.
We talked and joked about things sitting there on that cold ass beach for a good 30 minutes or so. I scooted shyly closer and closer to a near spooning position, not really being quite the super ladies man I am known for being. I was just about to move in for the kill when... suddenly I was tackled with a kiss! This beautiful young woman, this Rubenesque headed goddess was kissing me! We rolled in the toxic sand making out for several minutes before we realized that we were covered in this grimy sand. We got up, went to my house just in time to watch our show.
We've been together two years now and I just can't help but feel that if it weren't for the magic of Alameda beach, with it's glowing neon McDonald's lighting and toxic waste sand... Well, if not for all that, I just don't know where I would be. In all honesty I really don't even want to think about the alternatives... because in the end it's not how many warning signs line the beach gates of Alameda's water front that make it special, it's the memories of how my loving partner and I got to be the cohesive partners in crime we are today, (because we're still stuck together with grimy sand).
CHAD -
Review from John L.
Alameda, CA
10/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I live around the corner from the beach, it's a great spot to walk out to and watch a sunset, or work on photography, kitesurf, whatever your thing is. Great spot minus the hundreds of people who walk back and forth between the beach and McDonald's on a hot summer day. Wish they'd close that McDonald's....
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Review from Crystal L.
Oakland, CA
4/7/2008
Ewww Must I say it again. Ewwww
It's So nasty Here. Trash on the beach. Smelly Stank Waves at night and the sand is green (is it even possible for sand to change color?)
well anyways I used to come here in the early 90's and it was balling then. But now I dont even wanna fly my plastic bag on a string here.
It's Nasty. I rather freeze my ass off at Ocean Beach -
Review from Luke B.
Oakland, CA
9/23/2010
I grew up in the area, so in many ways Alameda Beach is my beach. In high school we trained we for here, before I joined the Marine Corps I took my phyical fitness test here, every now and then I still run the beach. I have a lot of memories at this beach.
Alameda beach for me has never really been the kind of place you go to relax and lay in the sun, there are a lot better beaches in the area for that. It has always been kind of a work out beach for me, the place you go if for a pick up game of basketball, maybe a quick tennis match, run, walk, or whatever (I kind of get into my gym mood at this beach).
In my old age I guess I'm starting to appreciate it more, every now and then I catch myself enjoying a beautiful sunset or just walking aimlessly down the shore. I will say that certain parts of the beach doing certain times of the year do get really trashed. Unlike a lot of the beaches in the Bay Area this beach is pretty active year round, even though it's pretty much only local residents using it during the off season.
During the off season you notice a big difference in the cleaniness of the beach, especially the area that's right across the street from McDonalds. If you plan to visit this beach, unlike a lot of beaches there are trash cans everywhere please use them. -
Review from Gui L.
Alameda, CA
10/22/2009
To disclose: I am an American-Brazilian, that is used to nice beaches in Brazil and Caribbean sea. We current live a few steps from Alameda beach; and probably go to the beach at least 1 time a day (specially on sunset). We use the beach as playground to our Kid ;)...
The review: Most people that complained on Yelp, does not know that the look & feel of Alameda beach change a lot during the year. It varies from cool, windy, with tons of algae and stinky to very warm, nice sand and clear/warm water good to Swim.
Most of the time, this is a beach to walk, and appreciate the beautiful bay views and the wild birds (officially a birds sanctuary, no dogs allowed). In the wind season, this is a good kite/wind surf spot. Sunset is great most of the year, specially during winter. San Francisco and bay views at nigh are beautiful.
A convenient daily scape for outdoors people, that lives in and around Alameda.
If you want the stereotypical sunbathing/splash beach setting; forget Alameda; we probably have just 15 days a year like that. By the way, forget Northern California. Forget even US in general (only Hawaii and Florida have warm/ solid paradise beaches in US). So Alameda is not that bad at all ;-)
Lastly, this is a men-made beach. Even in perfect days, with warm/clear water... When you get into the water, it feels like you getting into a lake, the beach floor is muddy.
But I still love it.
This is the true Alameda beach.
Cheers -
Review from Judie H.
8/26/2009 8 Check-ins Here
Along the shore...I tried to run Lucy here and it was really hard. People DO NOT pick up their dog poo here. Its pretty gross really.
As for the beach, it really depends on which part you're at. The part near the "mall" really is disgusting. If you venture farther off however, it gets better and actually worthy of laying out a beach towel. If you're looking for a hang out on a sunny day, walk farther off...it gets much better. -
Review from Egan W.
Half Moon Bay, CA
8/27/2010
Alameda Beach is for those of us that cannot get to the ocean. Simple as that. I live near the ocean, so I am spoiled up the wazoo when it comes to liking or disliking a spot where the water meets land. Very high standard over in this court of opinion.
That said, Alameda Beach has some good points to talk about. First, it is a true beach, not a bunch of rip rap rocks and mud. The rocko muddo combo is only good for walking by, and if you are real hard up, for fishing. Alameda Beach is also good and sandy at high or low tide, more props to the beachmaster. The beach had plenty of wind, for the wind surfers and the kite runners. In fact, if the ocean is too rough, hit Alameda Beach and you probably will have ideal conditions. Small wavelets and plenty of breeze.
This place is operated by the East Bay Parks District. Good job, boys. -
Review from Salonje R.
Walnut Creek, CA
8/31/2011
I am so in love with this beach! I am just a beach kind of gal so please excuse my excitement. I had the most amazing experience with the local seagulls and other beautiful birds. Definately magical...
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Review from Chris Y.
Alameda, CA
5/31/2010
I'm actually a member of the maintainence staff at the beach so I can chime in about some of the things people see. First of all, it's actually operated by the East Bay Regional Park District, not the City of Alameda.
The staff will go out every day and attempt to pick up most of the litter and clean the restrooms. The garbage cans on the beach are emptied at least 5 times a week, although it can be hard to keep it neat, especially across from the McDonald's.
and FYI, the no dogs on beach, and no alcohol is strictly enforced. I've seen the police come out on ATVs and horses and write tickets for those infractions. -
Review from Marc B.
Martinez, CA
7/7/2008
I was here for the 4th of July with a bunch of friends. I've never been here prior to that day. It was a pretty nice day out. We were kinda close to the water. We had a little bbq grill so we were cooking up some meat and some corn. We had some music going, and we were just enjoying each other's company. There were a lot of people wind surfing or just swimming.
We we were tossing around the football. And when the rest of our friends finally came, we had a big game of dodgeball (with a volleyball, not the football! haha). Then around 9-9:30 PM the fireworks started going off. That's when you saw a bunch of people running towards the bright, exploding lights. There were a couple of people lighting up fireworks on the beach, even though it wasn't allowed on the beach.
What I didn't like about this place is the cops. They like to patrol around the beach and look at people's stuff (my guess is for alcohol?). One time they came as a pair and just walked through our site and kinda glanced at our stuff. A minute later, I saw another cop with a K-9 walking around and following the other pair of cops. I watched them as they walked around other groups of people.
Other than that, it was a fun day/night with a bunch of friends. =) -
Review from Janice F.
Union City, CA
6/16/2010
Pack a picnic, get a group of friends, and spend an afternoon here!
Parking is $5 though.
I'm a little partial since my dad took me to this beach a lot when I was a kid but regardless, it's still a great spot. -
Review from KAI S.
Oakland, CA
11/12/2009 3 photos
OK, this beach has a couple of problems, but....
Guys, it's really not THAT bad!
How can you hate on a looooooong stretch of beautiful beach w/ frequent bathrooms & a gorgeous view of downtown SF right across the Bay??
First off, at least Alameda HAS a beach! Second off, what beach doesn't smell at least a LITTLE!?! Third off, the beach is attached to a HUGE park... it doesn't get a whole lot better.
My only things are:
- Wishing people didn't litter quiet as much (there's the occasional piece of garbage here & there) & since they do I wish the city would do a better job at cleaning.
- Not being crazy about the NO bikes -or- dogs on the beach rule (though I'm sure lots of others do this too).
- Annoying kids everywhere, but that's the people's fault for not controlling their children, not the beach's.
But.....
The thing I hate the most (but this isn't their fault)....
- Feeling heart broken every time I ride down the beach and see the "Oil Spill" signs blocking the whole thing off. So sad. Stupid people!!!
* To sum up: Despite a few minor issues, I'm definitely still a fan of this long and picturesque beach. And I love the view! -
Review from Shirley W.
Beaverton, OR
7/4/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I have grown up in Alameda and I never really appreciated the beach until I moved away for school. I love walking along the path with a view of the Bay Bridge and San Francisco downtown while the sun is setting on a clear summer day. The only thing I can complain about is how they don't allow dogs on the beach.
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Review from Steve D.
Alameda, CA
5/22/2008
I've lived in Alameda ( A-Town) since the 60s, and the beach is a major part of living here. Its not perfect, but its a nice place to go for a walk and relax. Its alot different from the old days when the sand used to blow across Shoreline Drive and collect on the street. I don't know how much it cost, but I know they trucked in tons of sand to rebuild the beach ( from erosion).
Oh, and no more cruisers and crowds in the hot summer months! -
Review from Dennis d.
San Leandro, CA
This place is a GEM. Lots of people walking, running/jogging, even swimming. Plenty of water activities. I can't believe this is in my backyard. Don't get me wrong, it's not like Santa Cruz with the big waves but this place is a stone throw away when you want sand between your toes.
They have Kite Surfing rental/lessons at the north end of shoreline. I see lots of kite surfers, SUP(stand up paddle) and wind surfers.
I saw someone's review talking about the smell and the color of the water. Obviously this person really is not around the water much. This beach is part of the Bay/Estuary. The water here is the same color as the water further south in the San Leandro Marina area...... It's the Bay trick! And the smell is no different from the San Mateo area. -
Review from Matt M.
San Jose, CA
5/3/2010
My Daughter and I had a fantastic time on Saturday. We got to see a pair of Canadian geese with 6 young geese at crown memorials pond, went swimming! , found a dead bat ray, loads of crabs in the rocks at low tide, made sand castles , rode bikes along the walkway. What more could you want from a beach with a 5 year old . Pretty much nothing. If you can't handle algae and seaweed , go home.
Yeah, it would be nice if people did throw a lot of garbage in the bay . It wasn't that bad. -
Review from Anne T.
5/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Another great place to decompress! Walk along the beach on the sand or jog into the sunset.
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Review from Anna P.
Daly City, CA
6/13/2010
On a really hot day this is the place to be.
Warm water that you can actually swim and not freeze your ass off! Even though it's dirty. lots of people go here, it's hard to find parking. -
Review from Nnekay F.
Alameda, CA
12/9/2007
Alameda beach? You must mean stank town.
Crown park is great... the sandcastle building contest is hilarious...
BUT
dirty sand...pigeons....trash... oh my!
seriously, isn't the bay kinda cold for a beach? There are so many wonderful crazy awesome parks in Alameda, check those out.
but you know... if you want a romantic stroll on the beach with a beautiful view of the SF Skyline... while your lover's toes kick Mickey D wrappers into the estuary. This your spot. -
Review from vinh t.
Santa Clara, CA
9/20/2009
This beach reminds me of an armpit; stinkin and hairy.
Due to its geographic location the beach is on the receiving end of the bay's crap; the beach is cluttered with seaweed, flotsam and trash. The water is stagnant which leads to marsh conditions; i.e. the place reeks of sulfur.
However there are restrooms every quarter mile along the beach, though I did not go into any of them. -
Review from Josie H.
5/25/2008
wow, there's a beach near me! NO MORE Driving an hour to santa cruzzzzz! yay!
There are a lot of people wind surfing? Honestly, I don't think people actually go tinto the water, more often people are just chilling at the beach looking at the scenary. This beach is pretty small so it's more of a nice walk in the beach type:) A good place to walk around with your sweetie -
Review from Sturm V.
San Francisco, CA
8/26/2010
Some days you might call this beach Seagull Shores, there are a mess of them here from time to time. When I see seagulls, I remember the Far Side comic of "How Birds See The World" which is the caption for a panel showing people, cars, and everything with targets painted on them - makes me a bit nervous when they fly by.
Alameda Beach is a great place to hang out, especially on hot days like last Tuesday and Wednesday when it got over 90 degrees. Came to the beach, laid out and when it got too hot got in the frigid bay water and cooled waaaay off. Repeat as necessary, which was about five times during the two hours there. Sweet. Take out everything you bring and if you are feeling particularly generous, pick up a few bits of trash left by others. Makes it better for all of us, you know what I mean? -
Review from May D.
5/17/2011 1 photo
It can get a bit dirty at times with McDonald's being right there and I wouldn't go in the water either, but Alameda beach is a nice place to jog, get your mind off things and enjoy the San Francisco skyline. Please don't trash it and many thanks East Bay Parks District for keeping it clean for the meantime!
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Review from Mei X.
San Lorenzo, CA
5/15/2009
Sand was bleeeeeeh. I had such a hard time walking in the sand cause there was so much sticks, trash that I was afraid I will stamp on a needle. Minus 1 star for that!
Once you finally get to the water area, the small little tides barely wash up the shore. So don't expect ocean waves come rushing in.
Thought I gotta say, sitting there on a old, worn tree branch in a Sunday afternoon is quite relaxing. Very urban kind of beach.
Little kids swim in the water, the occasional joggers running up the shoreline, and mom with babies laughing while building sand castles. All this makes me think this world is not that bad of a place to live in after all. -
Review from Susan M.
12/26/2010
Not the best beach I have ever seen, and the water is to be avoided. However, it is a lovely place to bike and stroll hand in hand with someone you adore. There are some beautiful vistas, and sunset is marvelous and stunning at times. The natural areas around the beach are maintained well by the understaffed parks department and there are some really cool native plants growing in the dunes.
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Review from emily s.
Oakland, CA
5/19/2010
Not the best beach in the world, I'll admitt, but I've seen worse.
It could do with a little more love, if only people would stop littering -
Review from Kent L.
Oakland, CA
8/28/2009
This place is safe and is good for kids. Because there's hardly any tide and no surf, and the water stays shallow for a long, long time, there's hardly any chance of them drowning. The people are relaxed and, maybe because you're out in nature, or because it's Alameda, nobody harasses anybody else.
That being said, some of the other posters have correctly pointed out that trash does tend to accumulate. It's a good reminder why it's important to recycle and not pollute!
I was swimming there in mid-August and, though the water temp was perfect, there was quite a bit of kelp or seaweed, which really diminished my enjoyment. This is the first time in 4 years I had that experience at the beach (I usu. go once a year) Maybe an El Nino phenomenon? -
Review from Karen J.
San Jose, CA
9/21/2009
PROS: Beautiful beach grass (like the kind you see on Cape Cod beaches) in some areas. But that's it.
WATER: Greenish tint, looks and smells like turtle tank algae
WAVES: Completely nonexistent
SAND: Twigs and sticks everywhere, you have to constantly step around them to avoid getting a splinter.
PICNIC EXPERIENCE: Lots of pesty gnats are everywhere, they cling to your blanket, food, all of your belongs and YOU (pretty gross).
RESULT: After trying for about 20 minutes to make the best of it, I told the kids to pack everything up and let's get the hell out of here.
RECOMMENDATION: No. It is probably a nice place for romantic walks along the path at sunset, especially if you have a good view of the city (the darker it is the better, so you don't notice the moldy appearance of the water), but this is definitely NOT water you want to put your body in.
If I never went to this place again in my life, it would no loss.
