Alameda Gold Coast

The Gold Coast of Alameda is a quiet neighborhood, especially well-known for its grand, turn-of-the-century estates and expansive lots that extend from parts of the West End into Central Alameda. This area features wide tree-lined streets; popular Franklin Park, and some of Alameda’s best public and private schools. Architectural styles are predominantly Queen Anne Victorian, Colonial Revival, Craftsman, English Manor mansions, Cottages, and Brown Shingle homes. There are also some fairly modern single family dwellings and low-density apartment buildings. Some of the finest collection of Queen Anne homes are in what was called the “Leonardville Heritage Area” (named after the prominent architect) built in the 1890s, including approximately 66 properties along the 1800 blocks of Clinton, San Jose, and San Antonio Avenues and in the 800 and 900 blocks of Union, Lafayette, and Chestnut Streets. Many of the remaining homes, apartments and condominiums were developed over the next 75 years by a variety of builders, most of which were built before World War II in styles from Colonial Revival to Period Revival.

Gold Coast History

In the early 1900s, the Gold Coast was the original beach front to the Bay and a prime spot for summer homes to wealthy San Francisco residents. It offered several waterfront parcels with dock facilities for sailboats, private swimming clubs, and the Encinal Yacht Club (since relocated to Marina Village on the Oakland Estuary). In the 1960s, a series of landfill projects created a string of lagoons and the South Shore Center mall project, thus moving the waterfront south at Shoreline Drive to the current 2.4 mile stretch of beach and the bicycle path.

Commuting Options

Commuting to Berkeley, Concord, Fremont, Oakland, Pleasanton and The South Bay

Major freeways such as Highway 880, 80, 24, and 580 can easily be accessed from either Doolittle Drive, the High Street Bridge, or the Park Street bridge.

Public Transportation Options

BART, AC Transit Bus, Casual Carpool, Harbor Bay Ferry, Amtrak

Depending upon your location, the closest BART stations are either Lake Merritt or 12th Street/City Center stations.  AC Transit Bus offers Transbay express buses to San Francisco via the O and OX, and local bus service to Oakland and Berkeley, BART stations, etc. via the 51A to Rockridge BART and to Fruitvale BART via College Ave., Broadway (Oakland), Webster St., Santa Clara Ave., and Broadway (Alameda), or the 51B to Rockridge BART to Berkeley Amtrak or Berkeley Marina via College Ave., Bancroft Way / Durant Ave., Shattuck Ave., Berkeley BART, and University Ave.

Casual Carpool pick-up spots are on Encinal and Park Avenue or along Santa Clara Avenue at Webster. The carpool is free to riders and runs Monday – Friday, 6am-9am, drop off is in SF financial district.

There are two Ferry lines offering 20-minute trips to San Francisco. The Main Street Terminal at the mouth of the Oakland Estuary is most convenient for Central, Gold Coast and West End residents.  The other ferry line is located on Bay Farm Island on the waterfront at the end of Mecartney Rd.

The Amtrak train station is located close by at Jack London Square in Oakland.

Schools in Alameda’s Gold Coast Neighborhood

Alameda enjoys a reputation for great quality schools, both public and private. There are several schools within walking or bicycling distance of the Gold Coast, including Franklin Elementary School, Saint Joseph Elementary and Saint Joseph of Notre Dame High School, Donald D. Lum Elementary, Will C. Wood Middle School, and Alameda High School. For more educational options, school ratings and reviews visit Greatschools.org.