California's Former Navy Base Is Becoming A New Community With Waterfront Parks & Recreation

When it comes to former military bases that have been repurposed, California has lots of them. Take Fort Cronkhite in Sausalito, for example. This former army base is now a historic area with a beach and nearby trails. And now, too far away is a former navy base that's becoming a new community with waterfront parks and lots of recreation opportunities. Also in the Bay Area, and roughly a 90-minute drive from Fort Cronkhite, sits Alameda Point. 

In November 1940, Alameda Naval Air Station officially opened and almost immediately became an important part of protecting U.S. soil after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor the following year. At its peak in July 1945, just shortly before WWII ended, the base was so productive it logged over 2 million man-hours, making it one of the busiest naval air stations on the West Coast and garnering the nickname "Gateway to the Pacific."

For decades, the navy base was a crucial part of defending the West Coast through various wars and conflicts but closed its doors in 1997. In June 2013, after it became clear that Alameda Point could be used for something else, the U.S. Navy gave almost 4,000 acres to the local government. In turn, the City of Alameda built a community of 1,425 homes for people of all incomes and allotted over 200 acres of land to be used for parks and other outdoor recreation spaces. The city's development plans also include 5.5 million square feet of commercial space, giving new and seasoned business owners alike the opportunity to be part of this up-and-coming seaside community.

One of the best parts about Alameda Waterfront Park is the dazzling skyline of the United States' "coziest city," San Francisco, and the panoramic view of San Francisco Bay. Also known as the Seaplane Lagoon Promenade, the waterfront park has something for everyone. For history buffs, there's the Alameda Naval Air Museum and the USS Hornet Museum. The latter wasn't just an intricate part of WWII, having launched the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in April 1942, but also helped recover astronauts of Apollo 11 in 1969. 

Alameda Point is home to Crown Memorial State Beach, a 2.5-mile stretch that's great for swimming in shallow waters, strolling along the sand dunes, and enjoying bicycle trails. A multi-million dollar engineering project restored the beach, transforming it into an enjoyable spot for both people and local wildlife. While motorized boats aren't allowed, kayaking and paddleboarding are, as is fishing, as long as you have a state license.

For animal lovers, the Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove is a perfect place for the whole family that focuses on education through interactive exhibits and a 800-gallon aquarium, and bird enthusiasts will be right at home at the Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary, getting a glimpse of Black-bellied Plover, Long-billed Dowitcher, Greater Yellowlegs, and many other species. Open dusk to dawn, the park has several areas to picnic, lots of green space, public art, and various walking and bike trails. The promenade is also concrete, having been designed with sea levels in mind.

You can't leave this up-and-coming community without seeing some other unique places like the Pacific Pinball Museum. It's here that you'll learn the first patented pinball machine was created in 1871 thanks to Montague Redgrave's spring-loaded plunger design. During the Depression, these games cost a mere $17.50 a pop — about $430 by today's standards. If you liked this place, you'll love Musée Mécanique, San Francisco's quirky museum that's a retro blast from the past and just over 30 minutes away by car.

There's also the Alameda Spite House — because every town needs one — built in the early 1900s by Mr. Charles Froling. When the city took his land to make a street and his neighbor supported the city's decision, he decided to build a home on what land he had left. This resulted in a house that's 20 feet high, 54 feet long, and only 10 feet wide. Although it's currently occupied, so you can't go inside, it's still a sight to see.

The first Sunday of every month Alameda Point hosts northern California's largest antique show, the Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire, a must-see for lovers of unique and rare finds. Before heading out of town, remember no visit is complete without hitting up St. George Spirits, considered one of the best absinthe distilleries in the U.S. Similarly, don't miss Wahpepah's Kitchen in Oakland, which features Native American food like Otaimaaki (deer sticks) and Manoomini (wild rice fritters).