Tree-lined streets, a central location, and easy beach access – welcome to the Bronze Coast – the Gold Coast’s larger sibling.
Alameda’s Bronze Coast neighborhood lies east of the Gold Coast neighborhood. This mostly-residential area is bordered by the lagoon on the southern side, Central Ave. on the north, Park St. on the eastern side and Grand St. on the west. Here you will find well-established residential streets with many Queen Anne, Victorian and Craftsman homes, and the occasional Edwardian-era building. In the southern-most neighborhoods of the Bronze Coast, along the lagoon, some of the homes feature private docks, allowing direct access to the water.
Amenities in the neighborhood include Blue Dot Cafe and Coffee Bar, Marti’s Place, Encinal Nursery, and Chestnut Market.
On the eastern border of the Bronze Coast, Alameda’s main drag, Park Street, is home to a myriad of shops and restaurants, including the popular Bay Area eatery Burma Superstar and Tucker’s Ice Cream, which has been drawing lines for their sweet treats since 1941. Order food from Scolari’s Good Eats, and enjoy it at locally-owned bar Lucky 13 next door. Tomatina Italian restaurant is a popular spot for families with their “kids eat free” Thursdays, and features a large outdoor back patio. You’ll also find several coffee shops, the local bookseller Books, Inc., an indoor arcade, and the historic Alameda Theatre.
Just down Grand St. or Park St. to the south, past the Shoreline Drive neighborhood (an approximate 10-15 minute walk), you will find access to Shore Line Dr. and the Alameda beach. Follow the two-mile long stretch westward to Crown Memorial State Beach. The beach and surrounding area is a favorite spot for walking, windsurfing, kayaking, and cycling. Here, Washington Park offers playgrounds, picnic areas, tennis courts, and two dog parks. Follow Shore Line to the east to hit Alameda’s South Shore neighborhood. This area features not only the large South Shore Shopping Center, but also walking and biking paths, beaches with volleyball nets, and an amazing view of San Francisco.
Franklin Park is located just west of Grand St. in the Central Alameda neighborhood, and provides visitors with playgrounds, tennis courts, sports fields, and a swimming pool. And Rittler Park, found at Otis and Grand, has a large, multi-purpose athletic field, and is the home to Alameda Little League.
Tucked into the heart of the Bronze Coast at Clinton and Willow Streets, you’ll find Alameda Hospital. The facility is part of the Alameda Health System, and features an Emergency Room and emergency services. It’s also a stroke center and provides comprehensive services like cardiology, lab services, cancer care, pulmonary care, and respiratory care. It provides occupational, speech and physical therapy as well.
St Joseph’s Elementary School and Saint Joseph Notre Dame (SJND) High School call the Bronze Coast neighborhood home. SJND is a private high school that enrolls approximately 400 students in grades 9 through 12. Home of the Hornets, Alameda High School, can be found on the eastern side of the neighborhood.
The Alameda Main Street Ferry terminal and Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal are both just a few minutes drive from the Bronze Coast neighborhood, and a ferry commute will have you in downtown San Francisco in 20 minutes. The W transbay bus line runs along Otis Dr. and offers regular service to downtown San Francisco. There is also easy access to downtown Oakland and Interstate 880 via the Posey Tube.
With its charming, stately homes, tree-lined streets, and convenient location, the Bronze Coast represents the best of what Alameda, and the East Bay, has to offer. No wonder its residents love living here.
