San Leandro, CA Road Trips

San Leandro (known locally as SL) is in Alameda County in the East Bay portion of California's Bay Area. Historically a town with dozens of huge cherry farms and a Spanish missionary ranch, San Leandro today is a rapidly growing city home to prominent business firms and is a suburb of Oakland. Founded in 1872, it is one of the oldest cities in California. San Leandro does not have as much to offer as its neighbors, however its central location may make it a very economical home base, with reasonably easy access to San Francisco, San Jose, and all parts of the East Bay. Its panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay and its hills are also worth a visit. San Leandro has a diverse population, with Asians forming a plurality at roughly 30% of the population, Whites and Hispanics each at around 27%, African-Americans at 12%, and one of the lower 48 states' larger Pacific Islander populations forming about 1% of the city's population. Weather in San Leandro is very comfortable throughout most of the year, ranging from the mid 50s to upper 70s (F). However, early morning weather in the winter (5AM-7AM) can reach as low as the mid 20s with frost, and in high pressure systems in the summer can cause temperatures to reach as high as the mid to upper 90s.

1 Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline (at the end of Neptune Drive). A regional park and shoreline. (updated Dec 2023) 2 San Leandro Marina and Shoreline, 13801 Monarch Bay Dr. A city park and San Leandro's only city shoreline and one of the city's four water recreational facilities. Historic site of the former Oyster Bay Beds, the largest oyster fishery in the Americas, the oyster beds are a California Historical Landmark. 3 Lake Chabot Regional Park, 17930 Lake Chabot Dr (AC Transit bus 34, 35, 46L), ☏ +1-510-562-7275. One of the largest regional parks in Northern California, this park offers nice views, picnic areas, boat trips on the lake, a coffee shop, golf, fishing, birdviewing, camping and sightseeing... Parking $5 (but there's free street parking just outside the park), dog fee $2. 4 Washington Manor Park and Pool, 14900 Zelma St, ☏ +1 510-577-3462. Summer hours: Mon-Fri 1-4:30PM and 7:30-9:30PM, Sat 1-6PM and Sun noon-5:30PM. Boasts one of the tallest waterslides in the Bay Area. $4 per person over 3 years of age. Chabot Dam (on the border of Lake Chabot Regional Park and the city park Chabot Park). The first dam built in Northern California. Fairmont Ridge Regional Park, 2200 Fairmont Dr. A scenic path that is an alternative to Lake Chabot on busy days. 5 Root Park, 1071 East 14th St. The only park that gives a close-up view of the locally famous and important San Leandro Creek.

San Leandro has several annual festivals (listed chronologically): Chinese New Year and Têt Festival. A celebration of Chinese and Vietnamese New Years at the San Leandro Public Library, every Saturday before the observed dates, or the observed date if the New Year falls on a Saturday. San Leandro Watershed Festival. A celebration of the San Leandro Creek at Root Park, every last Saturday of April. Cinco De Mayo Festival. A celebration of Cinco De Mayo at the Civic Center, every first Saturday of May. Cherry Festival (across the street from the BART station). Every year on the first Saturday of June, a big street fair in downtown San Leandro celebrates the historic start of the annual cherry harvest season. Music, food trucks, handicrafts and souvenirs, carnival food, a parade, activities for kids, artisanal food products, and of course, a bunch of stands selling cherries and cherry-based products like pies, scented candles, and cherry lemonade. The festival, which has been held since 1909, brings a festive atmosphere of community pride. Check the schedule in advance if you want to see the pie-eating contest! (updated Jun 2024) Veterans' Day Parade. The largest Veterans' Day Parade in the county honoring soldiers for World War I to the Iraq War. Held every Sunday before Veterans' Day in Downtown on East 14th Street.

Befitting its diverse population, San Leandro has a vast array of restaurant options. Yes, there are typical American chains such as KFC, Baskin Robbins, McDonald's, Denny's and Chevy's – but it's worth digging beneath the strip-mall surface for something more distinctive and local. 1 Pelton Café, 194 Pelton Center Way (at Pelton Plaza), ☏ +1 510 483-0943. Continental breakfasts. 2 Emil Villa's, 1800 East 14th St, ☏ +1 510 351-7427. Daily 7AM-9PM. Steakhouse and ribs. 3 Cozy Kitchen, 14811 Washington Ave (at Floresta Center), ☏ +1 510 352-3541. Diner. 4 Nations Giant Hamburgers, 1335 Washington Ave (at Pelton Plaza), ☏ +1 510 352-8820. 5 Taqueria Los Pericos, 101 Pelton Center Way (at Pelton Plaza), ☏ +1 510 352-7667. 6 La Piñata #2, 2699 Merced St, ☏ +1 510 352-8901. Mexican cuisine. 7 Tito's, 15508 East 14th St (near Bayfair Center), ☏ +1 510 276-1793. 8 Taqueria Guadalajara, 14327 East 14th St (near San Leandro Hospital), ☏ +1 510 614-7060. 9 Taqueria Los Pericos #5, 1389 East 14th St, ☏ +1 510 895-0660. 10 The Rose Garden, 15754 East 14th St (across from the Bayfair Center), ☏ +1-510-278-1788. This is a small mom & pop place that serves really, really good American Chinese food... and absolutely no MSG. Small place, maybe 6 tables at the most. The folks there are super friendly, enthusiastic, remember many guests, and they whip up their food very fast. Try the Rose Garden Vegetable. They deliver, and at night they usually have coupons for a free appetizer, fried rice, or chow mein with a $20 purchase.

Starbucks has nine locations in San Leandro and Jamba Juice can be found at the Bayfair Center and Westgate Center. Other options include: 1 Tapioca Express, 129 West Joaquin Ave (at Pelton Plaza), ☏ +1 510 357-3781. Coffee, tea, juice and snow bubble. 2 Zocalo's Coffeehouse, 645 Bancroft Ave, ☏ +1 510 569-0102. Wireless Internet available. Café Sorriso, 1501 Washington Ave (near Pelton Plaza), ☏ +1 510 357-1746. Sun 6AM-5PM, Mon-Sat 6AM-5PM. Wireless Internet available. 3 Sabinos's Coffee, 1273 MacArthur Blvd, ☏ +1 510 357-JAVA (5282). Mon-Fri 6AM-7PM, Sat Sun 6:30AM-6PM. Wireless Internet available. 4 Cunha's Cocktails, 155 Pelton Center Way (at Pelton Plaza), ☏ +1 510 483-4911. 5 Rickey's Sports Theatre & Grill, 15028 Hesperian Blvd, ☏ +1 510 352-0200.

1 The Marina Inn on San Francisco Bay (formerly San Leandro Marina Inn), 68 Monarch Bay Dr, ☏ +1 510 895-1311, toll-free: +1-800-786-7783. Great views of the bay, golf, dining nearby and near San Leandro Marina and Oyster Bay. 2 Hilton Garden Inn, 510 Lewelling Blvd, ☏ +1 510 346-5533. Near Greenhouse Marketplace and restaurant on-site. 3 Budget Inn, 16500 Foothill Blvd (near Lake Chabot and Bayfair Center), ☏ +1 510 276-6290. 4 Fairmont Inn, 16320 Foothill Blvd, ☏ +1 510 276-4484. 5 Nimitz Motel, 555 Lewelling Blvd, ☏ +1 510 357-9770. 6 Travelers Inn, 17290 Foothill Blvd, ☏ +1 510 276-3660. 7 Valley Inn, 17130 Foothill Blvd, ☏ +1 510 276-8151.

San Leandro is easy to access by car, it is located by two major Bay Area freeways, Interstates 580 and 880. 580 leads to the Civic Center, Downtown, Bayfair Center and the BART station. The exits on 580 to San Leandro include, Grand Avenue/Downtown, 150th Avenue/Fairmont Drive, 164th Avenue/Miramar Avenue and Junction California State Route 238 to Hayward, when traveling westbound, the exits are, Carolyn Street/164th Avenue, Fairmont Drive/150th Avenue, Benedict Drive and Estudillo Avenue/Downtown. Exits on 880 are, Davis Street, Marina Blvd., Washington Avenue and Junction Interstate 238 to 580. Other highways include Interstate 238, which begins in Castro Valley before arriving into San Leandro at the first exit. 238 connects 580 with 880 and vice versa. Also in San Leandro is an off-ramp to California State Route 238 to Hayward off 580. California State Route 185 is East 14th Street, which leads non-freeway traffic to either Oakland or Hayward. California State Route 112 is Davis Street, which begins in Downtown San Leandro before turning into California State Route 61 (Doolittle Drive) which leads to Alameda. 580 Eastbound leads people to Hayward, Stockton, Fresno and Los Angeles the latter which is via Interstate 5. 580 Westbound leads people to Oakland, San Francisco, Berkeley, Sacramento (via Interstate 80) and San Rafael. 880 Northbound leads people to Oakland, Downtown Oakland, Berkeley (via Interstate 980 to 580) and San Francisco (via Interstate 80). 880 Southbound leads to Hayward, San Jose and Santa Cruz (the latter via California State Route 17).

Interstates 580, 880 and 238, California State Routes 238, 185, 112 and 61, BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) 2 stations, San Leandro and Bayfair, local bus services and close access to Oakland International Airport. When visiting downtown, the civic center or Wells Fargo Tower parking meters are always likely to be full. Instead, park at the 2-story Estudillo Parking Garage, which is free of charge, but has a time limit of 1 hour, unless you are a Wells Fargo Tower employee. During rush hour on weekdays (8AM-9AM) and (4PM-6:30PM) traffic on all interstates can be terrible. Traffic on 580 is troublesome from Downtown on both sides and at the Bayfair Center on Eastbound 580 at 150th Avenue. 880 and 238 are clogged during these times. On weekends, 580 and 880 fare better while 238 is clogged on Sundays. Traveling on California State Routes 185 and 112 are also troublesome on Sundays.

Despite its suburban characteristics, San Leandro does have its tough neighborhoods at its borders with larger cities. One area to be aware of is the portion of MacArthur Boulevard near the Oakland border. This area is next to the notorious and impoverished "deep" East Oakland, which has some of the Bay Area's highest drug trafficking and murder rates. The area between the Hayward and Ashland borders (just south of the Bayfair Center) is reasonably safe during the day, but gets sketchy after dark. Nevertheless, San Leandro is a safe city with designated crime free zones, including the area near the Castro Valley border at Lake Chabot to the end of Estudillo Avenue (where downtown begins), near the marina, and a large portion of the Washington Manor neighborhood (including the Washington Manor Park and Pool) from Interstate 880 to Farnsworth Avenue. Due to the presence of a juvenile hall, Fairmont Drive in the city's eastern hills is heavily secured between Lake Chabot Park and 152nd Avenue. Police patrols are very frequent and security cameras are hidden on trees and fences.