South Shore

A Bit of Paradise on the Water

The South Shore area of Alameda is probably best known for three things: the Alameda South Shore Center mall, the lagoon, and the beach. Where else can you come out of a department store and be on the sand within minutes?

South Shore features a fantastic shoreline with walking and biking paths, beaches with volleyball nets, and an amazing view of San Francisco. The beach and shoreline are a popular draw for families, dog walkers, runners, and those just looking for a relaxed, scenic, outdoor experience.

South Shore Center is a 594,000 square-foot open-air shopping destination that offers a wide range of services and stores: grocery shop at Safeway and Trader Joe’s, shop for clothes and household goods at Ross, Kohl’s, TJ Maxx, and Bed Bath & Beyond, eat lunch at Applebee’s, Panera Bread, or Chipotle. There are even local shops, like Modern Mouse and Whales & Friends, featuring locally-produced artisanal gifts, and local eateries like Monkey Thai, Bowl’d BBQ Korean, and Loard’s Ice Cream. There are over twenty restaurants at the Center, and over a hundred stores and services. Check out the complete directory here. Though not part of the Center, a Bowler bowling alley can be found directly next door, and offers a myriad of entertainment options with its arcade, bowling leagues, and pool tables.

One stand-out in the list of Center eateries is the Italian restaurant, Trabocco. Located in the middle of the shopping center, Trabocco offers world-class Italian cuisine and an open, airy atmosphere. It’s also a perfect date night destination.

During the summer months, the Off the Grid Food Trucks gather on the eastern side of the Center, and here you’ll find everything from cupcakes to fried chicken, served from the parked eateries. And when winter comes, the Little Ice Rink marks the holiday season when it sets up its small ice arena in the same lot.

Along Shore Line Drive, the main street on the southernmost part of Alameda, you will find mostly apartment complexes and condos built in the 40s-60s that overlook the beach. One condo complex of note is The Willows, located on the edge of South Shore Shopping Center and right on the beach.

There are a few pockets of larger, Mid-century single-family homes on the western end of the strip as well, as your make your way towards the two-mile long stretch of Crown Memorial State Beach. The beach and surrounding area is a favorite spot for walking, windsurfing, kayaking, and cycling. In fact, Boardsports California offers windsurfing rentals and lessons from their small facility along the shore. There are also playgrounds, picnic areas, tennis courts, and two dog parks just north of the beach. Check out this video by East Bay Regional Park District to learn more about Crown Memorial State Beach.