Albany (California) – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (2024)

Albany is a city in the inner East Bay in the Bay Area in California.

Both Oakland International Airport (OAK^IATA) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO^IATA) have Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations. Take the Richmond Line to the North Berkeley or El Cerrito Plaza Station. If traveling by car, take the Albany exit (Buchanan Street) from Interstate 80 or Interstate 580.

Because the cities and towns on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay all butt up against each other and function as one large metro area, it's likely that you will also visit Albany's neighboring East Bay towns, such as Berkeley, Emeryville, El Cerrito, and Richmond, so much of the information about getting to those places also applies to getting to Albany.

• 1 Albany Bulb. Now part of the Eastshore State Park system, this reclaimed landfill is home to trails with views of San Francisco and the bay, sea birds, as well as tons of crazy urban junk art. There's a sandy beach, and dogs are allowed off-leash. In spring, colorful wildflowers grow amid the broken blocks of concrete. Might not be safe after dark. Park at or ride bikes to west end of Buchanan St. Free. (updated Jun 2024)
• 2 Albany Hill Park. Albany Hill is a nice place to walk. If you go to the top there are many trees, and a nice sitting area with benches. A rope swing provides fun for kids of all ages!

The sales tax rate in the city is 9.50%.

• Solano Avenue (between the Alameda and San Pablo Avenue). Interesting shops, restaurants and cafes on a pedestrian-friendly street. The blocks near San Pablo feature many kid-focused shops.
• The Albany Farmers market on Solano at San Pablo takes place every Wednesday from 3-7PM between May and October. It's a small market, but features coveted vendors from the other year-round farmers markets in the East Bay.

• 1 Barney's, 1591 Solano Ave (at Ordway), ☏ +1 510 526-8185. A small California sit-down burger chain that makes good burgers, curly fries, and milkshakes. Try the Oreo shake.
• 2 China Village, 1335 Solano Ave (at Ramona), ☏ +1 510 525-2285. M-W 11AM-9:30PM, Th-F 11AM 10:30PM, Sa Su 10AM-10:30PM. Szechuan cuisine unmatched in the area, and at reasonable prices. Famous for the West Style (1000 Chile) fish.
• 3 House of Curries, 1497 Solano Ave, ☏ +1 510-559-8477. Delicious, affordable Indian and Pakistani cuisine.
• 4 Zarri's Delicatessen, 1244 Solano Ave, ☏ +1 510 525-5405. Classic deli with all kinds of sandwiches.
• 5 Fonda, 1501 Solano Ave (at San Carlos), ☏ +1 510 559-9006. Great tapas and a full bar.
• 6 Gordo Taqueria, 1423 Solano Ave, ☏ +1 510 528-8226. 10AM-10PM. A local Bay Area taqueria chain that makes good burritos and tacos. Try the carnitas burrito.
• 7 Pâtisserie Rotha, 1051 San Pablo Ave, ☏ +1 510 529-4704. Th F 7:30AM-11AM, Sa Su 8AM-11AM, closes early if sold out. Small French pastry shop with only a handful of options per day, varying from week to week and seasonally. Known for their kouign-amann. Don't be put off by the line out the door; it moves quickly. No seating. (updated Nov 2023)

• 1 Club Mallard, 752 San Pablo Ave (at Washington), ☏ +1 510 524-8450. This popular bar has an eclectic ambiance and a mixed clientele. There are pool tables upstairs and down, along with a tiki patio.
• 2 Hotsy Totsy Club, 601 San Pablo Ave. 6AM-2AM. Classic American dive bar, serving since 1939. cheap.
• 3 Schmidt's Pub, 1492 Solano Ave, ☏ +1 510-525-1900. Cozy Irish pub.

There are no hotels or motels in Albany, but there is plenty of accommodation in nearby Berkeley and a few places to sleep in the Richmond area.

• San Rafael- 580 West. About 15 minutes away.
• Napa- 80 East to 37 West to 29 North. About 45 minutes to 75 minutes away.
• San Francisco- 80 West. About 15 minutes to 50 minutes away.
• Oakland- 580 East. About 10 minutes to 30 minutes away.

Routes through Albany

San Francisco ← Berkeley ←	SN	→ El Cerrito → Sacramento
San Rafael ← El Cerrito ←	NS	→ Berkeley → Oakland