Alameda, California

Alameda is an incorporated city in Alameda County, California. Alameda consists of two parts: the island of Alameda in San Francisco Bay, and a peninsula from the mainland called Bay Farm Island, covering approximately 11 square miles of land area. The population, as of the 2000 census, was 72,259. Alameda is a charter city, and has a council-manager government.

Alameda Island used to be a peninsula separated from the mainland by a swamp; a channel was cut separating the island in 1902. Bay Farm Island used to be a separate island, but was connected to the mainland by landfill operations. Alameda Island was extended by landfill operations to construct the former Naval Air Station Alameda, and to construct the "Southshore" neighborhood, which fronts San Francisco Bay.

Alameda Island is connected to the mainland via two tunnels and four bridges. One of the bridges connects the island to Bay Farm Island. Because Bay Farm Island borders the Oakland International Airport, there are only two roads connecting Bay Farm Island to the mainland. All of Alameda's ground transportation links lead into Oakland, California. California Route 61 runs from Oakland, through the Posey and Webster Tubes into Alameda, along Webster Street, Central Avenue, Encinal Avenue, Otis Avenue, across the bridge to Bay Farm Island, and along Doolittle Drive, whence it continues into Oakland and San Leandro. There are no freeways in Alameda. There is active passenger ferry service to San Francisco, Oakland, and San Leandro. Alameda used to be served by rail, but all rail links into Alameda are inactive, and most of the tracks in Alameda have been removed.