Overview
Albany is a city in the inner East Bay in the Bay Area in California.
2 sights · 7 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Albany
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 allo…
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!
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 76°F; winter lows dip to about 43°F. Wettest: Dec and Feb. (climate data from nearby Berkeley)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- OAK Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, Oakland — 12 mi away (major hub). Directions
- CCR Buchanan Field, Concord — 15 mi away. Directions
Both Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) have Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations. Take the Richmond Line to the North Berkeley or El Cerrito Plaza Station, the closest stations to Albany. AC Transit buses serve Albany directly. If traveling by car, take the Albany exit (Buchanan Street) from Interstate 80 or Interstate 580.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Albany Bulb
- Lunch Hella Bagels
- Afternoon Albany Hill Park
- Dinner Pâtisserie Rotha
- Evening Hotsy Totsy Club
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Both Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) have Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations. Take the Richmond Line to the North Berkeley or El Cerrito Plaza Station, the closest stations to Albany. AC Transit buses serve Albany directly. 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.
See
See 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.
See 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!
Do
- Birdwatching at the Albany Bulb and mud flats.
Buy
The sales tax rate in the city is 9.50%.
- 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.
Eat
Eat Barney's
A small California sit-down burger chain that makes good burgers, curly fries, and milkshakes. Try the Oreo shake.
Eat China Village
Szechuan cuisine unmatched in the area, and at reasonable prices. Famous for the West Style (1000 Chile) fish.
Eat House of Curries
Delicious, affordable Indian and Pakistani cuisine.
Eat Zarri's Delicatessen
Classic deli with all kinds of sandwiches.
Eat Gordo Taqueria
A local Bay Area taqueria chain that makes good burritos and tacos. Try the carnitas burrito.
Eat Pâtisserie Rotha
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.
Eat Hella Bagels
"NY Inspired" chewy bagels.
Drink
Drink Club Mallard
This popular bar has an eclectic ambiance and a mixed clientele. There are pool tables upstairs and down, along with a tiki patio.
Drink Hotsy Totsy Club
Classic American dive bar, serving since 1939.
Drink Schmidt's Pub
Cozy Irish pub.
Sleep
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.
Go next
- 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.
Nearby
Berkeley
City / town · 94 listings · 1 mi away
El Cerrito
City / town · 11 listings · 2 mi away
Emeryville
City / town · 21 listings · 3 mi away
Richmond
City / town · 22 listings · 4 mi away
Orinda
City / town · 8 listings · 6 mi away
Angel Island
Park · 5 listings · 7 mi away
Oakland
City / town · 193 listings · 8 mi away
Pinole
City / town · 10 listings · 8 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.