Places to Go : Alameda's Gold Coast
- kathleen
- Sep 27
- 2 min read
The Oakland-adjacent island of Alameda is my go-to for terrific restaurants and shopping. Last week, I was early for my hair appointment on Encinal Avenue so I took a drive along Sherman Street, just a block away. In the late 19th century, the neighborhood was filled with the homes of San Francisco businessmen who commuted into the city each day by train and ferry. Other San Franciscans had summer homes in Alameda. The Gold Coast neighborhood is filled with Victorian Italianate, Stick, Queen Anne, Arts&Crafts, Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial houses. I literally took photos just on Sherman Street, one house more spectacular than the next. Let's take a look.
Before we tour, just an FYI. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake and subsequent fires destroyed 80% of the city and made half of its population homeless, over 227,000 people. Some San Francisans boarded boats, crossing the Bay to temporary camps, Many chose to make Alameda their permanent home.
And now for a little tour - a Sherman Street beauty.
And its neighbor.
Garbage Day on Sherman Street.
This Sherman Street house is for sale so we can go inside. Built in 1906, with 5 bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, it's 3,886 sq. ft. Asking price is $2,495,000.
The main house has refinished original floors but everything else is painted white. For more photos -
In the backyard, an original Better Homes and Gardens turn-key cottage—a cozy 2-bedroom, 1-bath retreat with a fireplace, dining and living area, and full kitchen. I looked through some BH&G catalogs and estimate this was built in the 1940-50's.
Original features remain in the cottage.
The red dot shows Sherman Street - only blocks from the San Francisco Bay with pristine beaches complete with a drammatic view of San Francisco across the Bay. The canals remind me of Venice Beach.
Nearer the Bay, two Mediterranean-style homes sit on a street that dead-ends at one of the canals. On my drive, I found out Alameda is a go-to for Halloween. The Gold Coast easily goes through 10,000 pieces of candy. There are usually food trucks and vendors selling lights, balloons and trinkets from carts. Sounds like fun. In the meantime, the Gold Coast would be a perfect Sunday walk/drive today. Whatever you do, enjoy your Sunday!
PS. Remember the house with the cottage in the backyard? Skippy® Peanut Butter was born there in 1933 when Joseph Rosefield began selling his new brand of peanut butter. Rosefield had previously innovated the first modern, non-separating peanut butter in Alameda, CA, and later licensed his production process to make Peter Pan peanut butter before marketing his own Skippy brand. Who knew?
