San Francisco Bay Area relocation guide
Moving to Alameda, CA
$970,000Median listing price
AlamedaArea
San Francisco commuteCommute profile
About Alameda
Alameda is an island city in the inner East Bay — Alameda Island plus Bay Farm Island — known for its large stock of Victorian-era homes, a walkable Park Street downtown, Crown Memorial State Beach, and the former Naval Air Station now being redeveloped as Alameda Point. It blends a small-town feel with quick access across the estuary to Oakland and San Francisco.
Home prices in Alameda
The median listing price in Alameda is $970,000.
Top places in Alameda
- Crown Memorial State Beach — long sandy beach with views of the San Francisco skyline.
- Crab Cove Visitor Center and Marine Reserve — aquarium exhibits at the beach's east end.
- Park Street — the historic downtown strip with shops, restaurants, and the Alameda Theatre.
- Alameda Theatre & Cineplex — restored 1932 Art Deco movie palace (shown in the Commons photo below).
- USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum — aircraft carrier museum at Alameda Point.
- Seaplane Lagoon and the Alameda Point waterfront — ferry terminal and promenade.
- South Shore Center — waterfront shopping center.
- Franklin Park and Washington Park — neighborhood parks with sports facilities.
Commuting from Alameda
- San Francisco Bay Ferry from the Main Street Terminal and Seaplane Lagoon (Alameda Point) — about 20–25 minutes to the SF Ferry Building (per SF Bay Ferry schedules).
- AC Transit Transbay buses to the Transbay Transit Center.
- No BART on the island; nearest stations are Fruitvale and Lake Merritt in Oakland.
- Approximate drive to downtown San Francisco via I-880 and the Bay Bridge: ~25–40 minutes (longer at peak).
Schools in Alameda
Public schools: Alameda Unified School District. For enrollment and performance data, see the state report card in Town links below. Confirm school assignment for any address directly with the district.
Alameda FAQs
- What is the housing market like in Alameda, CA?
The median listing price in Alameda is $970,000. Median listing price (September 2026 research snapshot) - How is the commute from Alameda, CA?
San Francisco Bay Ferry from the Main Street Terminal and Seaplane Lagoon (Alameda Point) — about 20–25 minutes to the SF Ferry Building (per SF Bay Ferry schedules). - Which school district serves Alameda, CA?
Alameda is served by Alameda Unified School District. See the state report card in Town links, and confirm school assignment for a specific address with the district.
Town links
Schools
Transit
Official town resources. School report cards via the National Center for Education Statistics.