//
City in California, United States
Photo: Walter Siegmund, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
San Leandro is a mid-size city of about 90,000 people (2018) in the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States of America.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A regional park and shoreline.
A city park and San Leandro's only city shoreline and one of the city's four water recreational facilities. Historic site of the former Oyster Bay Beds, the largest oyster fishery in the Americas, the oyster beds are a California Historical Landmark.
One of the largest regional parks in Northern California, this park offers nice views, picnic areas, boat trips on the lake, a coffee shop, golf, fishing, birdviewing, camping and sightseeing...
Boasts one of the tallest waterslides in the Bay Area.
The first dam built in Northern California.
A scenic path that is an alternative to Lake Chabot on busy days.
The only park that gives a close-up view of the locally famous and important San Leandro Creek. The portion of the creek closest to the creek is a California Historical Landmark due to the rainbow trout that thrive in the creek, possibly the largest rainbow trout population in a Californian creek.
A Spanish adobe-like building, remnants of a former ranch owned by Spanish in colonial times.
A museum about San Leandro's history, from its founding to present day.
Main branch, one of the largest libraries in the East Bay, it hosts a book store, cafe, art gallery and convention stage.
A scenic vista point next to the San Leandro Marina that offers a view of the San Francisco Bay and the Oakland Airport.
A building dedicated to the veterans of the United States. In 1933 A site for the Veteran's Memorial Building was jointly purchased by the City of San Leandro and the local veterans organizations. From 1927 to 1935, Alameda County funded the construction of ten such memorial buildings throughout the county. County architect Henry Haight Meyers oversaw the designs. When completed the Veterans Memorial building would house activities for the Legion, VFW and the Spanish War Veterans. Ground-breaking ceremony was held on Armistice Day Nov 11, 1933. On March 18, 1934, the cornerstone of the building was placed in position by William Bostaph, a local Civil War Veteran and holder of the Order of the Purple Heart. On July 6, 1934, the building was completed. At the time there was enormous civic pride over the building. It was described as one of the finest Italian-type buildings in Alameda county. The total cost of construction came to $89,000. A dedication ceremony was held on Sep 23, 1934. Over 1500 people attended the ceremony. The $80,000 New Wing was dedicated July 5, 1951.
A celebration of Chinese and Vietnamese New Years at the San Leandro Public Library, every Saturday before the observed dates, or the observed date if the New Year falls on a Saturday.
A celebration of the San Leandro Creek at Root Park, every last Saturday of April.
A celebration of Cinco De Mayo at the Civic Center, every first Saturday of May.
Every year on the first Saturday of June, a big street fair in downtown San Leandro celebrates the historic start of the annual cherry harvest season. Music, food trucks, handicrafts and souvenirs, carnival food, a parade, activities for kids, artisanal food products, and of course, a bunch of stands selling cherries and cherry-based products like pies, scented candles, and cherry lemonade. The festival, which has been held since 1909, brings a festive atmosphere of community pride. Check the schedule in advance if you want to see the pie-eating contest!
The largest Veterans' Day Parade in the county honoring soldiers for World War I to the Iraq War. Held every Sunday before Veterans' Day in Downtown on East 14th Street.
Continental breakfasts.
Steakhouse and ribs.
Diner.
Mexican cuisine.
This is a small mom & pop place that serves really, really good American Chinese food... and absolutely no MSG. Small place, maybe 6 tables at the most. The folks there are super friendly, enthusiastic, remember many guests, and they whip up their food very fast. Try the Rose Garden Vegetable. They deliver, and at night they usually have coupons for a free appetizer, fried rice, or chow mein with a $20 purchase.
Chinese restaurant and dim sum.
Vietnamese noodle house.
Italian seafood.
Family atmosphere, pizza, pasta, sandwiches and chicken. 15 California & Northwest microbrews on tap.
Be sure to try the chicken katsu.
Liberian restaurant. If you haven't had Liberian food before, it's similar to other West African cuisines such as Nigerian or Ghanaian (stews, plantains, fish, rice, fufu, etc.). If you haven't had West African food at all, try it! Good vegetarian options.
Chinese cuisine and BBQ.
Casual seafood waterfront restaurant.
Greasy spoon type restaurant.
2 locations in the town.
Coffee, tea, juice and snow bubble.
Wireless Internet available.
Wireless Internet available.
Wireless Internet available.
Great views of the bay, golf, dining nearby and near San Leandro Marina and Oyster Bay.
Near Greenhouse Marketplace and restaurant on-site.
Macy's, Target, Kohl's, Bed Bath and Beyond, Old Navy, Staples, Century Theaters, Petsmart, 24 Hour Fitness, Ross, Michaels, Pier 1 Imports, Lucky, etc.
Wal-Mart, Pet Food Express, Costco, Sports Authority, The Home Depot, Office Depot, etc.
Marshalls, Ann Taylor, Eileen Fisher Outlet, Nordstrom Rack, Talbots Outlet, Shoe Pavilion, Office Max, Men's Warehouse, GAP, etc.
Factory 2-U, 99 Cents Only, Safeway, Food Maxx, Big Lots, etc.
Safeway, Hallmark, Longs Drugs, Avenue, USPS, Payless Shoe Source, etc.
By public transportation
San Leandro is also easy to access by public transportation.
By plane
San Leandro is 5–20 minutes from the Oakland International Airport (OAK), and bus services and BART link San Leandro with the airport.
By train
San Leandro is close to the Oakland Amtrak station and is accessible to San Leandro by BART or bus.
By bus
San Leandro is linked to Bay Area cities by bus services, and has AC Transit and the free local LINKS bus linking parts of town to another.
By ferry
San Leandro's former ferry pier and building have closed and are being threatened with demolition. The closest ferry terminals are in Oakland's Jack London Square and in Alameda.
By bike
San Leandro's scenes and landscape is best seen by biking around the city and comes in handy in downtown rush hours, when streets are clogged by cars and buses.
Traffic
During rush hour on weekdays (8AM-9AM) and (4PM-6:30PM) traffic on all interstates can be terrible.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Oakland · International · OAK
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about San Leandro and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.