5 cheap and fun summer family activities in Alameda

Thanks to Leslie Harvey from Trips with Tykes for being our guest blogger today.

Alameda is one of the East Bay’s best-kept secrets.  My neighbors often joke that “we like it that way!”  But I love Alameda too much not to share the fun it has to offer with friends who live nearby. In the summertime, there are so many cheap (or free!) activities for kids and families.  Consider making the trip to our fair island this summer to enjoy some of these events and traditions.

1) Concerts at the Cove

Alameda offers free concerts every summer right by the Crab Cove Visitor Center at Crown Beach.  Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy good music and local food (including wine and beer from Alameda’s own Rock Wall Wine Company and Faction Brewing).  The concerts run from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, so you can still get the little ones in bed at a reasonable hour.  A Tom Petty tribute band played last year.  August 10th’s concert will be the cleverly named East Bay Mudd.

2) High Scores Arcade Museum

Many people know about Alameda’s magnificent Pacific Pinball Museum, but you also shouldn’t miss a newer addition to our gaming scene, High Scores Arcade Museum.  Located on Park Street, this business features classic arcade games from the 1980s and 1990s like Tetris, Pac-Man, and Mortal Kombat II.  Admission is $6 for one hour of unlimited play or $12 for a day pass.

3) Summer Street Festivals

Alameda has a number of summer weekend street festivals that are perfect for entertaining the kids at a reasonable price.  Still coming up this summer is the Park Street Art & Wine Faire (July 28 & 29). The Alameda JAM has already passed us by in 2018.  Each festival has tons of tasty food and live music as well as a kids play area with jumpy houses and other attractions.

4) Crown Beach

On warm days, there is nothing better for kids than a trip to Alameda’s shoreline to enjoy one of the best and cleanest beaches in the Bay Area.  Crown Beach stretches over 2.5 miles along Alameda’s south shore from Crab Cove visitor center to the South Shore shopping center, so there is plenty of space for families to play.  The beach has calm water and a very gradual slope into the water so even toddlers can wade safely.  It also features a stunning view of the San Francisco skyline and a bike trail that runs the length of the shoreline.  Bring bikes, kites, and sand toys!

Leslie Harvey lives in Alameda’s Gold Coast with her husband and two kids (ages 5 and almost 1).  She also blogs about the joys and challenges of travel with her family at Trips With Tykes. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.