San Leandro connects the landscape of San Francisco Bay with art and specific chapters of the city’s history. When planning a stay, you can choose what interests you most: should the focus be on the waterfront and its trails, interactive art or historic sites? Each theme offers a different perspective, making it easy to choose what best matches your travel interests.

Waterfront Trails, Golf Views and Sculpture

The San Leandro Shoreline stretches across about 950 acres along San Francisco Bay. A two-mile section of the San Francisco Bay Trail runs along its waterfront. The Shoreline Dog Park is also located near Marina Park at the Shoreline. From every hole at Monarch Bay Golf Club, there is a view of the Bay. San Leandro therefore offers several ways to experience the Bay: a clearly defined section of trail, a dog park and a golf course overlooking the water.

On a regional scale, the San Francisco Bay Trail network covers more than 350 miles around the Bay. It is open to hikers, joggers, cyclists, skaters and wheelchair users. This broader perspective places San Leandro’s two-mile section within a network that circles the Bay over a much wider area. Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline also offers a distinct connection to outdoor art: its trails lead to Roger Berry’s “Rising Wave” sculpture. The Oyster Bay disc golf course is free to play. This means two different activities sit side by side there: an artwork along the trails and a recreational activity with no playing fee.

Augmented Reality and City History

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 within the artworks. The digital component makes the ARtWalk a distinctive option for anyone interested in the connection between art and smartphone technology.

For a historical perspective, Casa Peralta offers a different experience: the house is San Leandro’s historic house museum. In 1926, it was remodeled into a large Spanish-style villa. Its distinctive features include hand-painted tiles imported from Spain that tell the story of Don Quixote. The architecture and tile designs give history a tangible connection to a single building.

The San Leandro History Museum features conceptual exhibits on “People from Many Lands,” “Oysters and the Bayshore,” and “Agriculture and Industry.” The three themes offer different historical perspectives: people from many lands, oysters and the Bay shoreline, and agriculture and industry. Rancho San Antonio (Peralta Grant) offers another specific connection to local history. It is located in a city park at the northwest corner of E 14th Street and Hays Street, on the southern boundary of the Rancho.

Market Offerings and Seasonal Planning

The Downtown San Leandro Farmers’ Market offers tree-ripened fruit, freshly harvested vegetables, freshly cut flowers, gourmet foods and snacks. Its offerings combine fresh produce with flowers and light bites, setting the market apart from waterfront and history destinations. Its exact seasonal schedule varies from year to year. If you want to include the market in your plans, check this year’s market dates in advance.

For an overview of other destinations: Alameda.