Share The Article
Are you ready to give San Francisco another shot? I just did.
After well-documented crime waves went viral in the once mega-popular city filled with iconic attractions, many travelers have since looked at San Fran side-eyed, wondering if it’s safe to visit.
And rightfully so — a city where many locals in recent years have been backed into a corner of choosing to leave their vehicles unlocked rather than risk their windows being smashed overnight.
While I made it out unscathed (well, after Frontier left me stranded), there’s no doubt San Francisco is back to being a huge draw for tourists.
This was my fourth time visiting this city, and I’ve never seen the famous Fisherman’s Wharf or the intricate labyrinth of Chinatown busier on a normal day.
Chinese New Year is a different story….
As pretty as San Francisco’s cityscape may be with rolling hills stacked with pastel Edwardian elegance, calm, scenic shores, and lush, green distant neighbors, there’s one charming hideaway tourists too often skip over — the village-like island of Alameda is a local favorite to escape the city grind.
Swap Tourist Traps For Authenticity
How we’ve been tricked into paying to see a prison, ideally the type of establishment no one in their right mind would ever want to step in foot in, is beyond me.
But then again, I’ve done it, so I can’t talk too much smack. If you’ve been to San Francisco, you can’t miss the seemingly endless row of boats docked in and around the Fisherman’s Wharf advertising these tours, and the unmissable vendors handing you pamphlets with special prices ‘only for today’.
Rather than do what seems like every tourist does to witness an island with nothing to do but take pictures and rehash the same ol’ story we’ve heard a million times, why not go beyond the norm and discover somewhere new by visiting a lesser-known island hidden in plain sight?
While you don’t have to skip Alcatraz altogether as the two islands are totally different, you would essentially end up paying extra to take in similar panoramic views ‘The Bay’ has long been known for.
The San Francisco Bay Ferry offers daily service from downtown San Francisco to Main Street Alameda, starting at 7:05 am and running every hour until 9:10 pm on weekdays and a later start on weekends at 9:20 am. — and yes, you can use your Clipper Card as long as you keep a minimum $5.40 cash balance.
You can also opt to stop at Oakland’s Jack London Square. Truthfully, if this waterfront attempt at charm is the city’s highlight, it’s easy to see why Oakland has the reputation it does.
I vote skip it and head straight to Alameda for golden beaches with city views, genuine down-home charm, and surprising attractions.
What To Do In Alameda
As it goes with any small town, some might think a snoozefest awaits with nothing to do. In Alameda’s case, that’s simply not true.
In my humble opinion, your first stop should be Park Street for a sense of nostalgia as it’s lined with historic buildings, boutiques, Mom & Pop restaurants, and cafes, such as Ole’s Waffle Shop, where locals go to fuel up for the day.
From there, this small island is your oyster with scenic beaches and intriguing attractions ranging from an off-the-wall pinball museum, the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum for history buffs, and urban wineries to unwind in peace and quiet from the unpredictable chaos of San Francisco’s urban sprawl.
Tucked away from “action-packed” Park Street, there are numerous wineries and breweries, such as Dashe Cellars for more sophisticated palates and Almanac Beer Co. for those who like to pour a cold one and enjoy a nice patio.
As for beaches, there’s no shortage in Alameda, but don’t expect Malibu. Remember, this is The Bay — think views, not swells.
Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach arguably offers the best scenery. A recent beachgoer claimed this beach is ‘a hidden gem for sunset lovers!’, and said, ‘The walking trail is perfect for a peaceful stroll, and the view of San Francisco across the bay is absolutely breathtaking.’
I personally enjoyed the Ballena Lookout for a nice sunset stroll across from this beach.
Where To Stay – Alameda Or San Francisco?
Don’t expect San Francisco’s flashy luxurious towers. This place oozes small town charm and it extends into its few and far between hotel scene.
Stay in comfortable waterfront boutique Marina Village Inn or Coral Reef Inn & Suites along Alameda Beach on the opposite side, amongst a few chains like Hawthorne Suites.
With it’s lack of hotels and ease-of-access with ample ferries, your best bet may be to stay in San Francisco like I did.
Rather than go with the norm, I chose to dive in head first to the city’s diverse array of cultures by choosing to stay at Taj Campton Place, a luxurious India-based brand with only 2 U.S. hotels.
We struck gold with a courteous suite upgrade featuring a heavenly mattress and incredibly friendly service from the bellhops, bartenders, and all the way up the corporate ladder to Suzette, the Director of Sales and Marketing, whose travel stories were so contagious, I was ready to pack up and jet off to India right then!
Do yourself a favor and make this conveniently located hotel smack dab in Union Square (and a quick walk to Chinatown) as your base, and don’t skip the Masala-style omelette and pot of Chai to start your day.
And after you eat too much Shaanxi cuisine at Terra Cotta Warrior, my favorite restaurant in the world, sweat it off at Taj’s 24-hour top floor gym with stunning views of the cityscape.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Please visit:
Our Sponsor