Alameda is an island community, friendly and safe, with a quaint downtown and other shopping areas nearby. Plenty of restaurants here and also convenient to Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco. The beach is across the street and there is a nice park just down the street. There you can rent kayaks, paddle boards, wind surfing gear and more. Even with all the nearby activity, it is generally quiet.

San Francisco is just a short drive or bus ride away. The bus stop is about a five-minute walk.

Lake Tahoe, the Napa Valley and Monterey/Big Sur are all within a two to three hour drive.