Central Alameda

Central Alameda has a wonderful mix of mid-size and large older homes, apartment buildings and recent real estate development, along with small business retail in the center and a bustling marine-oriented sector, and industrial businesses to the north.   As the name implies, it is central to all of the great things Alameda has to offer.

Alameda’s Bay Station Heritage Area is centrally located between Park Street and Webster Street, within the northern areas of Central and the West End, extending along Bay Street, Pacific Avenue and Sherman Street.  It features a mix of Queen Anne Victorians, Colonial Revivals, high-basement cottages, bungalows. Italianates, and apartment buildings from the 1880s to the 1950s.

Local Parks & Recreation: McKinley Park, Grand Street Boat Ramp & Emma Hood Swim Center.

Central Alameda Commuting Options

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

Major freeways such as Highway 880, 80, 24, and 580 can easily be accessed from either the Park Street bridge or the West End’s Webster Street Tube.

Public Transportation Options for Central Alameda

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

Depending upon your location, the closest BART stations are either Coliseum or Fruitvale stations.  AC Transit Bus offers Transbay express buses to San Francisco via the O and W, and local bus service to Oakland and Berkeley, BART stations, 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.

Alameda has two Casual Carpool pick-up spots are located at main bus stops on the East and West Ends, and provide quick access to the highway 880 Fly-Over towards the Oakland Bay Bridge. Drivers who need a car for work, will pick up two other riders at busy AC Transit bus stops such as Encinal and Park Avenue or along Park Street for the privilege of flying through the Carpool lanes at the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza at a discounted rate. Most drivers don’t ask for contributions from riders.

There are two Harbor Bay 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 Alameda residents.

The closest Amtrak train station is on 2nd Street off Jack London Square in Oakland.

Schools in Central Alameda

Alameda enjoys a reputation for great quality schools, both public and private. There are several schools within walking or bicycling distance of Central Alameda, including Alameda Community Learning Center, Alameda Christian School (K-8), Donald D. Lum, Franklin and Henry Haight Elementary Schools, St. Joseph Elementary and Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School, Will C. Wood Middle School, Children’s Learning Center (K-12 special needs) and Alameda High School. For more educational options, school ratings and reviews visit Greatschools.org.