San Leandro is a friendly town set on San Francisco Bay and surrounded by leafy cherry orchards. Shop and dine in the lively downtown district, relax in waterfront parks and learn about wildlife rehabilitation programs at the non-profit zoo. Fast train connections make San Leandro a great base to sightsee in San Francisco.
Things to do in San Leandro
Downtown San Leandro captures the charm of small-town California. Dine at locally owned restaurants and shop for souvenirs at mom-and-pop stores. Quench your thirst at Drake’s Brewing Company, a beloved local business that’s been brewing since 1989. You’ll also find excellent taphouses and cocktail bars in Downtown San Leandro.
Stroll along the Marina Park promenade and enjoy sparkling views over East Bay. The trail is flat, family-friendly and dotted with grassy picnic areas and playgrounds. It borders the Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline, another great place to stretch your legs.
See species from around the world at Oakland Zoo. The non-profit zoo is managed by the Conservation Society of California and is home to hundreds of animals, including elephants and leopards. In addition to exotic species, the park is a great opportunity to get up close with American icons like bison, bald eagles and black bears.
Cherries are a local delicacy in San Leandro and are grown at orchards in the surrounding countryside. Pick your own cherries at a local farm or stock up at roadside stalls. Enjoy the stone fruits baked into pies, blended into shakes and scattered onto ice cream sundaes.
Getting around San Leandro
Downtown San Leandro is compact and easy to get around on foot. The city is in Alameda County in the San Francisco Bay Area. Drive or ride Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains to Downtown San Francisco in 30 minutes. San Francisco International Airport is a 30-minute drive away.