San Leandro tends to get overshadowed by its neighbors, Oakland to the north and Hayward to the south, but this quiet town is no wallflower. With a population just shy of 90,000 in a little more than 13 square miles, San Leandro is diverse in every possible way. Sweeping from the hills to the bay, it has bustling shopping centers, quiet residential areas, golf courses, farmers’ markets, and the school district’s Advanced Placement program was honored by the College Board in 2018. Hikers have a choice between wooded hill trails and the waterside Bay Trail, which offers extensive views of the bay.

Once a center of industry, San Leandro is still home to the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, where you’ll find an outlet store attached to its headquarters. In the heart of downtown is the Casa Peralta, home to some of the earliest Spanish settlers, now available for tours and events. The city recently upgraded to fiber-optic for business networks, which greatly helped its recovery from the 2008 downturn. The overall feel in San Leandro is suburban, but thanks to easy freeway access and two BART stations, residents are just minutes away from all the Bay Area has to offer.

Attractions

From golf courses to the marina, San Leandro offers plenty of recreation. History buffs should check out the Casa Peralta and Estudillo Home landmark properties. Shoppers have too many choices to name, from small boutiques and farmers’ markets to major shopping centers and outlet stores. The city has more than two dozen parks, pools, and other facilities for year-round outdoor fun. And of course the highlight of the year is the annual Cherry Festival every June.