From an airport to a previous US Naval Base, the west end of Alameda Island, or Alameda Point, has had an interesting history. The run-down and picturesque buildings and hangers that were left behind when the Navy moved out of Alameda have been repurposed today for a variety of businesses, most importantly those of the booze-making kind, aptly dubbing this area “Spirit Alley.” New developments have reshaped the area again from an industrious zone to be much more family-friendly and accessible.
Alameda Point spans from the top to the bottom of the very west end of Alameda Island and has plenty in store for your family to explore:
If you plan to head to Alameda Point, here is what I would do:
We love the breweries, wineries, and distilleries that have popped up in this space. Many of the breweries and wineries in Spirit Alley are kid-friendly; they offer large family-style tables, provide kid-friendly foods, and welcome families, and therefore many families frequent these establishments often!
The watering holes are all within walking distance of each other and often have live music, food trucks, and events.
Check out our blog post about our favorite kid-friendly breweries in Alameda to grab a cold one with your little one in Spirit Alley.
The parking lots in front of many of the old military hangers are open and vacant. Either bike to Alameda Point (read about our favorite bike route to Alameda point here) or bring your bikes to Alameda Point for some epic car-free biking with the most beautiful San Francisco Bay views.
I like letting our kids bike in these giant car-free lots, knowing they can practice their skills in a large and open safe space. I like to bring a picnic to enjoy at the Alameda Waterfront park after biking (see below!).
Alameda Point has two new parks for families to enjoy, one is a playground at Whale Park with a giant whale climbing structure, and the other is the Alameda Point Waterfront Park with beautiful views, picnic tables, and grassy areas to play. Both have clean bathrooms and plenty of parking nearby.
See more information about these two new parks here.
Along the Southern end of Alameda Point, you’ll find the huge USS Hornet that was active during World War II, recovered Appollo 11 and 12 after splashdown, and is now a floating museum for you and your family to explore.
Walk through the battleship, learn the history, and let your kids run around the deck. The stairways are narrow and steep, so keep an eye on those little ones.
The museum is open Friday-Monday and tickets cost $20/adult, $10/ages 7-17, and free for 6 and under.
I have always been drawn to rusty, old, and vacant buildings. Most of my favorite photos are of old and run-down buildings, with paint chipping and character. I love the history behind the buildings and the things left unsaid, and I love to imagine what it was like to be in these places during their early days.
Driving through Alameda Point feels like you’re being transported through time, or like you’ve entered a post-apocalyptic film, surrounded by vacant buildings covered in peeling paint and rusty metal windows. I love it so much that my husband and I took our engagement photos there!
We like to ride our bikes there and spend the day or early evening enjoying the view of the San Francisco skyline, letting our kids relax with a pretzel under the umbrella in the big, open-air seating areas at each of the kid-friendly eating and drinking establishments.
What are your favorite activities at Alameda Point? Did I miss any? Share in the comments below!
Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.
