Bay Area Kid-Friendly Trip｜Alameda Hidden Gem Beach

I’ve seen so many recommendations for Alameda’s beaches lately! This weekend, I happened to go to the East Bay to pick something up, so I took the kids for their first time in Alameda～ The town is clean and quiet, with tidy streets—a total contrast to neighboring Oakland! 🏖️ Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach 📍 8th Street, Otis Dr. Alameda, CA 94501 🅿️ Parking fee: $5, with plenty of parking spaces ✨ The park is huge, featuring both a sandy beach and wooded lawns, perfect for picnics and gatherings. The entire area has paved paths, making it easy to push a stroller around. The beach is right next to the path—so convenient! ✨ Although the sand isn’t as soft and fine as Santa Cruz’s and has some small gravel, it’s way better than the sand pits in most Bay Area parks. The sand is deeper and thicker, ideal for digging. The waves here are gentle too, less intense than Santa Cruz’s, making it great for kids to splash in during summer. ✨ Not too crowded, and you can spot lots of little creatures: seabirds, pelicans, ground squirrels, and flocks of Canada geese. After playing, we drove 5 minutes to a nearby plaza for food and shopping. 🍜 South Shore Center 📍 523 S Shore Center, Alameda, CA 94501 ✨ There are plenty of dining options. We had Marugame Udon and had a Yifang milk tea. ✨ The shopping center also has a mini outdoor playground where the kids can keep playing. ✨ The drive from the beach to the mall follows the bay, with stunning views all the way! The path and beach seem to be connected, so walking from the beach would be a fantastic experience too! Alameda is truly a hidden gem for East Bay family outings! It’s safe, comfortable, with great beach quality, and has convenient food, shopping, and entertainment nearby. #Alameda #BayAreaKidFriendly #FamilyTrip