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Alameda is located across the bay from San Francisco. You might not know this but Alameda is an island in San Francisco Bay. It is separated from the rest of the east bay by an estuary and across the estuary is Oakland. Alameda is among things, the home of a former Naval Air Station (do you remember it being mentioned in Star Trek IV?) and is currently the center for research into electric cars. Visit AlamedaInfo.com for all sorts of info on our town.

Field Trips

If you have a group of people interested in visiting the shop at the same time we ask that you give us a call in advance to set this up. While it's not required that you do so, it does help us determine if we need additional staff for your visit. We like to know what day you have in mind, how many people in the group will be coming and a time during the day we can expect you if it's a very large group.

Be sure to allow enough time for shopping, especially if you are scheduling a multi-stop trip for your group. When you let us know how many people are coming we can give you some guidelines based on your groups' size. We can also give you recommendations on places to eat should you require that information.

Directions

You can reach us easily by driving (through the Webster Tube) or by public transportation. We're about 35 minutes away from the SF Airport, about 20 minutes from the Oakland Airport or 5 minutes from the Oakland Amtrak station.

Driving

We're at 2433 Mariner Square Loop, Suite 102. The building is at the corner of Mariner Square Drive, Mariner Square Drive & Marina Village Parkway (yes it is confusing). We are one block from the new Alameda Landing Shopping Center and Target store. These directions get you onto the island through the Webster Tube. See the paragraph below them for what to do after you exit the tube.

From San Francisco

Take the Oakland Bay Bridge toward the east bay (80 East). Once across the bridge stay in the far right lane and take the 880 South ramp. Take 880 South to Broadway (Alameda Exit). Turn right onto 5th at the bottom of the exit (follow the signs to Alameda). Continue on 5th until you reach Broadway, taking the left jog into the Webster Tube.

From Berkeley, Marin and points north

If you're coming from Marin take the San Rafael Bridge toward Oakland. Take 80 West until you reach the 580/80/880 merge. Stay in the lanes marked for 880 South (San Jose). Take 880 South to Broadway (Alameda Exit).  Turn right onto 5th at the bottom of the exit (follow the signs to Alameda). Continue on 5th until you reach Broadway, taking the left jog into the Webster Tube.

From Contra Costa

Come through the Caldecot tunnel (Hwy 24 West). When the freeway splits take the 980 Downtown Oakland portion. Exit at 11th/12th Street staying on that street until you reach 5th, where you turn left. Continue on 5th until you reach Broadway, taking the left jog into the Webster Street Tube.

From Pleasanton/Livermore

Take 580W to Hwy 238 and head toward San Francisco then get onto Hwy 880N. Take 880 North until you reach Broadway (downtown Oakland and Alameda exit). Option 1) Once on the exit ramp stay in the left lane, turning left at Broadway and then an immediate very sharp left into the Webster Street Tube. Option 2) Once on the exit ramp stay in the right lane and take the right onto Broadway, a right onto 7th and 2 blocks later a right onto Webster.

From San Jose

You'll need to get to 880 Northbound (880 crosses 101 in San Jose). Take 880 North until you reach Broadway (downtown Oakland and Alameda exit).  Option 1) Once on the exit ramp stay in the left lane, turning left at Broadway and then an immediate very sharp left into the Webster Street Tube. Option 2) Once on the exit ramp stay in the right lane and take the right onto Broadway, a right onto 7th and 2 blocks later a right onto Webster.

From the Peninsula

Come across either the San Mateo or Dumbarton Bridges and get onto 880 Northbound. Take 880 North until you reach Broadway (downtown Oakland and Alameda exit).  Option 1) Once on the exit ramp stay in the left lane, turning left at Broadway and then an immediate very sharp left into the Webster Street Tube. Option 2) Once on the exit ramp stay in the right lane and take the right onto Broadway, a right onto 7th and 2 blocks later a right onto Webster.

After you exit the Tube

Once you exit the Tube, you have two options:

a) take a right at Willie Stargell Way (look for the In & Out Burger on the right), then a right at Mariner Square Loop (where the Safeway Gas Station is).

When you reach the end of  the street you'll have the Target Store on your left. The street sign straight ahead says Mitchell. Our office complex (Mash) is across the street to the right. You can either park in the lot you see or turn right on Mariner Square Loop (the street changes names), then left on Mariner Square Drive (the next stop sign) and use the courtyard side parking lot.

b) stay in the left lane exiting the tube and turn left onto Marina Village Parkway. You'll continue past the shopping center that's on the left for several blocks. Just past the Extended Stay America hotel is a stop sign. Look across the street to the right and you'll see our Mash Office complex. Turn right and then left into the courtyard parking lot.

We have an entrance on both sides of our building (one on Mariner Square Loop and the other off the courtyard) . Our unit is right under the two large stands of redwood trees.

From Oakland Airport or within Alameda

As you leave the airport follow the signs to Alameda. Once on Doolittle you'll pass the golf course and go across the bridge into Alameda. When you are across the bridge the street becomes Otis - stay on Otis until it dead ends at 8th. Turn right on 8th and continue as the street jogs and changes name to Constitution Way. Stay in the right lane and when the street splits just before the Tube entrance continue to the right onto Mariner Square Drive. At the stop sign (Mariner Square Drive & Marina Village Parkway) go straight. The complex (Mash) and parking lot will be to your left just past the stop sign. The entrance is off the courtyard under the two large stands of redwood trees.

Public Transportation

BART/BUS

We are close to a BART station - 12th station in Downtown Oakland (City Center). The bus route that gets you closest to the shop is #96. Coming into Alameda the stop is across the street from us at Mariner Square Drive and Marina Village Parkway (just past the Target store). Don't get off at 5th Avenue by the Target as we are not in the shopping center. Leaving the island it's 1/2 block up the street by the Extended Stay America. Map & Schedules for 96.

There is also the Estuary Crossing Shuttle and Alameda Landing Shuttle which operate during commute hours from a variety of locations in Oakland and the ECS has room for bikes (a great way to get through the Tube).

TRAIN

If you decide to take a trip by train we are about 8 minutes from the Oakland Amtrak station at Jack London Square) or 15 minutes from the Emeryville station. You can catch a taxi at either station.

FERRY

You can also take the ferry from San Francisco to Alameda. The primary ferry, Alameda/Oakland Ferry operates between Alameda (Main Street) - Jack London Square (Oakland) - San Francisco (Ferry Bldg) and San Francisco (Pier 39 Fisherman's' Wharf).

AC Transit no longer has a bus that services the ferry landing in Alameda. The closest bus route is the #31, which is a few blocks walk from the ferry terminal. If you like to walk, we'd be about a 20 minute walk from the ferry landing. Or we're a short taxi ride away. Be sure to arrange for a taxi before boarding the ferry for Alameda as they don't have cabs waiting at the ferry landing.

Parking

Where To Eat

There are a number of restaurants and sandwich shops within walking distance or a short drive of the shop. From personal experience we can recommend the following:

Walking distance @ Alameda Landing:

• In & Out Burger
• Habit Burger
• Chilpotle
• Panda Express
• Famous Dave's BBQ
• Firehouse Subs
• KoJa Kitchen
  

These are driving distance.

• Subway (@ Marina Village)
  
• Wescafe (coffee, tea, quiche, sandwiches & salads plus a great patio!)
  510-522-1700, 1536 Webster Street
• Cafe Jolie (bistro - serves beignets!)
  510-523-4500, 1500 Webster Street
  
• East Ocean Seafood Restaurant
  510-865-3381, 1713 Webster Street

Closer to Park Street (the main street in Alameda)

• Little House Cafe (coffee, tea, pannini & salads plus a great little outdoor area)
  510-864-4044, 2300 Blanding Avenue @ Oak Street
  
• Dragon Rouge (Vietnamese)
  510-521-1800, 2337 Blanding Avenue @ Park Street
  
• La Penca Azul (mexican)
  510-769-9110, 1440 Park Street
  
• Tucker's Ice Cream
  510-522-4960, 1349 Park St
• Burma Superstar
  510-522-6200, 1345 Park Street
  
• Asena Restaurant (Mediterranean)
  510-521-4100, 2508 Santa Clara Avenue
• Trabocco Kitchen & Cocktails
  510-521-1152, South Shore Shopping Center
  

These are just a few of the places we like. There are quit a number of restaurants on Park Street, which is 2.5 miles away. You'll find pizza, Italian, Cuban, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Burmese, sandwiches, etc. South Shore Center at the top of Park Street (right by the bay) also has Panera, Chilpotle, Jamba Juice, 5 Guys, Applebee's and a few others including Burger King and McDonalds.

Where To Stay

If you are planning to stay overnight in the area here are some places we can recommend in Alameda.

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Last updated June 16, 2023
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