ALAMEDA

Much of the Alameda real estate on this friendly island is within walking distance of beaches and afford spectacular bay and cityscape views. With its leafy streets lined with older Victorian-style buildings, cottages, quaint parks, good schools, six miles of beaches, and the ability to ride your bike anywhere on the island with ease, you can see why this rapidly growing city manages to maintain its small town charm.

While Alameda offers modern retail shops and conveniences like Alameda Towne Center, the historic business districts remain this area's most appealing attribute. Antique shops, playhouses, quaint boutiques and the wholesome hometown atmosphere draw people from all over for afternoon strolls and weekend getaways. It's not unusual to see an entire family ride their bikes to a breakfast of blueberry waffles at the local diner or homemade treats at the old-fashioned ice cream parlor. And don't be surprised if the clerk at the mom and pop grocery store calls you "sweetie" or a neighbor brings you a pie on the Fourth of July. That's Alameda!

On the first Sunday of every month you'll also find the Alameda flea market, a congregation of over a thousand vendors eclectic artifacts with perhaps the best view of the San Francisco skyline you'll find while perusing for antiques.

The ferry ride from Alameda to San Francisco is truly spectacular and there are many other public transportation options as well, including buses that connect to BART in Oakland. During light traffic, San Francisco is about 15 minutes by car, and the city of Oakland is only 10 minutes away.