Neptune Gardens is a neighborhood on the West end of Alameda. The boundary lines may differ depending on the source, but we are using Lincoln (to Marshall and Pacific) and Central as north/south lines and Webster and Central as east/west lines as our perimeter.
The Neptune Gardens neighborhood is diverse in many ways, from its residents to its home styles. Craftsmen, Victorians, Mediterraneans, and the occasional Mid-century Modern line the streets, coexisting with multi-unit rental buildings. The neighborhood is home to many families that have lived in the area for years and years, along with the recently transplanted.
It is said that the homes closest to Webster/Central were once beach rentals, housing some of the hundreds of thousands of seasonal Neptune Beach visitors, the area’s once large and thriving amusement park (1917 to 1939).
The neighborhood flanks vibrant Webster Street, where you will find a mix of restaurants, including Wes Cafe, Cafe Jolie (popular for breakfast and brunch), and 1400 Bar & Grill. East End offers popular dim sum Calafia Taqueria is a go-to for Mexican food, and Mango & Mint has become a local favorite for their fresh Vietnamese cuisine.
The area also offers several hair and nail salons, a couple of tattoo parlors, barber shops, and a gym. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, shop for flowers, fresh fruit, hummus, and more at the Urban Village Farmer’s Market at Webster and Haight Streets. The Pacific Pinball Museum, a nonprofit founded in 2004, features over 90 games from the 1940’s to present day. Almost all of the games are playable.
The Fireside Lounge is a neighborhood favorite and features live music, stand-up open-mic nights, trivia nights, and a vast array of board games.
Located at Santa Clara and 5th street, Santoro’s Italian Market & Deli is a bit of a neighborhood secret, but very much worth seeking out. Be sure to get there early for your sandwiches, because once they are EOB (end of bread), they close for the day. My favorite part about Santoro’s is that they keep your order, so that you can call in and give them your name and they will make you your “usual.” It’s a sure way to make you feel even more special than you already are! Down on Central Ave., Neptune’s is a hotspot for breakfast and brunch, and down the street, Cookiebar Creamery offers sweet treats.
At Central and Taylor you will find Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School, easily spotted by the jet in front of the facility. Encinal Jr. & Sr. High is a diverse, inclusive school. Encinal High School was ranked a 10 out of 10 when compared to schools with similar demographics. Paden Elementary is located at 5th and Central. The Academy of Alameda, a charter school, is found at Pacific and 4th and serves students in grades kindergarten through 5 and grades 6 through 8.
Longfellow Park, at Lincoln between 5th and 6th, offers tennis courts, a basketball court, a playground, picnic facilities, and a small recreation center.
Transportation options are numerous. At the corner of Santa Clara and Webster, you can grab a bus to BART in Oakland, a transbay bus to the city, or jump into the casual carpool line during commute hours. The Main Street Ferry terminal is a short drive to the northwest, and the trip to San Francisco is approximately 20 minutes.
Neptune Gardens combines the accessibility of shopping and restaurants with the advantages of being residential. And, if you ask someone who lives in Neptune Gardens what their favorite part of the area is, chances are that they will mention the close-knit feel of the neighborhood and camaraderie of their neighbors. In fact, the 300 block of Haight Street even has their own float in the Alameda 4th of July parade!
