Looking for waterfront property in east bay area (San Francisco, Oakland: rental, condo)

[beachpeople]

My husband and I are relocating with his company to the San Fran East Bay area, and we would love to find something on the water. It is just the two of us, but our college-age children will be visiting occasionally (we hope), so we need at least a three-4 bedroom home/condo/townhome/(we will consider palaces, mansions, or houseboats)

Can you tell me an area where we might have some success location waterfront properties for rental or purchase. We want a safe area, but the school systems aren't much of a concern for us because our children are out of high school.

Thanks.
Beachpeople

[andlw2004]

I would recommend Benicia. The prices are fairly reasonable and has a great waterfront community. Many of the other areas have high prices but I'm not sure what your price range is like.

[daepro]

I suggest the island of Alameda located in the bay between SF and Oakland. Tunnels, bridges, ferries get you to the mainland, no problem.

[ImRandy]

Do people consider Benicia in the East Bay now?

[user123455]

OP is clearly a fake. She did not state a specific area, and the east bay is a huge, and there are not really any waterfront properties unless you're rich

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by user123455

OP is clearly a fake. She did not state a specific area, and the east bay is a huge, and there are not really any waterfront properties unless you're rich

Point Richmond is pretty affordable. Alameda isn't cheap, but at least it's less pricey than San Francisco's bayfront areas (besides the dreaded Hunter's Point). Emeryville would be OK except that 3-bedrooms don't even exist there. I've never seen anywhere else so focused on singles and young couples.

[bellalunatic]

Originally Posted by user123455

OP is clearly a fake. She did not state a specific area, and the east bay is a huge, and there are not really any waterfront properties unless you're rich

Wrong. The OP has a journal entry which explains that the husband's job will be in San Leandro.
They are moving back to the states from Belgium as well, which may explain her vagueness of the East Bay.

Still, Alameda may be worth looking into, although if the East Bay and SF are new to you then I hope you don't have the ideas of typical sunny warm California beaches if so, then you will be completely out of sync with the reality of this beach area!

[fizbin]

Originally Posted by bellalunatic

Still, Alameda may be worth looking into, although if the East Bay and SF are new to you then I hope you don't have the ideas of typical sunny warm California beaches if so, then you will be completely out of sync with the reality of this beach area!

Alameda is a great choice, especially considering a commute to San Leandro. Nice town to live in (which I did for 10 years or so). Quality waterfront properties are not cheap, but there is a good supply. And correct, if you are thinking the Beach Boys and surfing and Santa Monica pier, the Bay Area will be a bit of a disappointment.

[beachpeople]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. After reading your posts, I can understand why my original post would either make me appear to be a fraud or completely ignorant about the Bay Area. I am embarrassed to say it was the latter. I am attempting to educate myself, and your posts are certainly helping.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

So as to ensure correct expectations, please realize that other than a short section of steeper coastal profile in Alameda, the remainder of the East Bay shoreline is essentially mud flat / cord grass / pickleweed / marsh (or salt evaoporator) shoreline. In fact, that's true for most of the Bay. Inside the Golden Gate there are very few beach type areas and access to the water generally means going through (if you even can, for getting stuck in the mud is a real possibly life threatening situation) up to a mile wide mud flat with deep, sticky, fine silt / clay based mud. Just wanted to be sure the OP understood this.