I don't know why I know this but:
Alameda didn't used to be an
island. It was a little
peninsula until the construction of a
canal severed it from the
mainland in
1902.
The
navy base is built on a chunk of the island that is actually
LANDFILL. That's right. Quite a few Alamedans live not on land that is of any
natural earthly origin, but on a large pile of compressed
garbage and
debris.
One more thing:
If you ever find yourself
stranded in Alameda after attending a
baby shower or some other
function, Do Not Panic. Simply make your way
north until you are in view of the
tunnel that connects Alameda with the
outside world. There is a road that leads into this tunnel. I believe it is called
Webster Street, but I may possibly be wrong. Find this road. If you have no
car, look for a
bus stop and catch the 51 NORTH. It will bring you safely back through
Oakland to
Berkeley. If you are too
lost to make it to any bus stops that say "51", I have no
advice for you. I am
sure there are other buses, but I do not
know of them. There is another tunnel to Oakland someplace down there in the
bowels of Alameda but I have never had the
pleasure, and so cannot direct you to it. I offer you only the fruits of my own
escape experience.
(Alameda is really not in the
middle of nowhere. It just
feels that way.)
It's true about the
friendly people &
pretty houses in some areas.
But I do not recommend
pedestrial visits. :/