San Leandro: Shoreline, Art and History

San Leandro offers several starting points for planning your trip: the waterfront along San Francisco Bay, art in public spaces, and sites that reflect different chapters of the city’s history. A farmers’ market is also part of the local offerings. The topics that interest you most can help you plan your time in San Leandro and look for a hotel for your stay.

Shoreline scenery and paths along the Bay

The San Leandro Shoreline stretches across about 950 acres along San Francisco Bay. A two-mile section of the San Francisco Bay Trail runs through the shoreline area. This connects the local shoreline scenery with a specific section of a larger trail network: the regional San Francisco Bay Trail comprises more than 350 miles of paths around the Bay and is open to hikers, joggers, cyclists, skaters, and wheelchair users.

Other destinations along the Shoreline offer their own highlights. Shoreline Dog Park is near Marina Park. Every hole at Monarch Bay Golf Club offers a view of San Francisco Bay. These destinations offer different ways to enjoy the shoreline: a path through the waterfront area, a dog park, and views of the Bay from the golf course.

Art and activities at Oyster Bay

At Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline, paths lead to Roger Berry’s “Rising Wave” sculpture. Oyster Bay’s disc golf course offers another kind of activity and is free to play. The sculpture and disc golf offer different ways to spend your time, whether you’re interested in art in a natural setting or a sporting activity.

City history in houses and exhibitions

Casa Peralta is the historic house museum of the City of San Leandro. The house was remodeled in 1926 into a grand Spanish-style villa. Distinctive design elements include hand-painted tiles imported from Spain that tell the story of Don Quixote. The year, architecture, and tiles each give the house museum its own historical and artistic significance.

Rancho San Antonio (Peralta Grant) is located in a San Leandro city park, at the northwest corner of E 14th Street and Hays Street, on the southern boundary of the Rancho. Its precise location at the street intersection distinguishes this historic landmark from Casa Peralta, which focuses on the house and its design.

The San Leandro History Museum features concept exhibitions on “People from Many Lands,” “Oysters and the Bayshore,” and “Agriculture and Industry.” The topics range from people from many lands to the Bay and oysters, as well as agriculture and industry. Compared with Casa Peralta’s single historic house, the museum offers a broader thematic look at different aspects of the city’s history.

Art in public spaces and seasonal market offerings

The ARtWalk in Downtown San Leandro features four interactive art panels enhanced with augmented reality. Using a smartphone, visitors can unlock animated layers, unexpected visual effects, and immersive moments in the artworks. The art panels combine public art with digital imagery. If you’re interested in this combination, the ARtWalk is a distinct highlight alongside the historic houses and exhibitions at the History Museum.

The Downtown San Leandro Farmers’ Market offers tree-ripened fruit, freshly harvested vegetables, freshly cut flowers, gourmet foods, and snacks. Its offerings complement the art- and history-related destinations with a focus on food and market goods. The exact seasonal schedule varies from year to year, so check the dates before planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Sunol, Pleasanton, Newark, Castro Valley, Union City, Hayward, Dublin, Berkeley

For the overview of the wider area: Alameda.