Harbor Bay / Bay Farm Island

Bay Farm Island sits just south of Alameda’s main island, connected by a bridge, and is often referred to interchangeably with Harbor Bay Isle - the master-planned community that has defined most of its development since the 1970s. Unlike the older, organically grown neighborhoods on the main island, Harbor Bay was designed from the start: wide streets, landscaped lagoons, and a mix of townhomes, condos, and single-family houses.

Amenities are built into the plan. Harbor Bay Landing anchors the retail side, the Harbor Bay Club offers fitness and recreation, and there’s a golf course, parks, and miles of walking and biking trails along the water. The neighborhood also has its own transit link - the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal runs directly to San Francisco - and Harbor Bay Marina supports kayaking and sailing.

It reads more suburban than the rest of Alameda despite being close to Oakland International Airport, which makes it a common choice for buyers who want a quieter, water-oriented, planned-community feel.