Our Neighborhood
Phoenix Commons Waterfront
The waterfront is a peaceful and tranquil place, particularly in the early morning, with ducks, geese, egrets, and other water fowl congregating in their natural habitat. Throughout the day and evening, residents in the neighborhood walk their dogs, sit on the many benches, or simply gaze out at the water. Even harbor seals make an appearance at times. Long crew boats piloted by the University of California, Berkeley Crew Team skim by, along with sailboats, kayaks, even a huge barge pushed by its own tugboat. Some of these passings include the spectacle of the Park Street Bridge raising to allow passage. In the early evening we are treated to spectacular sunsets over the water and through the drawbridge. The Bay Trail walkway along the estuary ends at the massive, colorful mural of the Oakland Museum’s White Elephant building.
Jingletown
Jingletown is an eclectic and vibrant neighborhood where colorful outdoor mosaics and murals accentuate many walls. A number of former industrial buildings have been re-purposed into lofts and galleries for artists working in many mediums. A mix of local small businesses, quaint older homes, and hip urban condos round out the diverse character of Jingletown.
For more information about Jingletown, click here.
Park Street Alameda
Phoenix Commons is located in Oakland, at the beautiful and historic Park Street drawbridge. A two-minute walk across the bridge brings us to the charming island city of Alameda, where the downtown bustles with friendly small-town atmosphere and the longest 4th of July parade in the nation.
The Park Street area boasts a wide variety of charming businesses including an historic movie theater, bookstores, antiquing shops, and even the oldest Buddhist temple in North America. Restaurants range from California cuisine to Italian, Vietnamese, Mexican, Japanese, Thai, Burmese, Greek… the list goes on and on! A lovely array of coffee and tea spots, bars and bistros also enliven the area.
A mile and a half from Phoenix Commons, Park Street ends at the San Francisco Bay with stellar views of the San Francisco skyline. The 2.5 mile-long sandy beach hosts a bird sanctuary, a Crab Cove and a few of the many miles of scenic biking and walking trails found on the island. Nearby, South Shore Mall offers shopping at Trader Joe’s, Safeway, Kohl’s, Office Depot, a post office and many other shops, large and small.
For more information about Park Street Alameda, click here.
Fruitvale
Fruitvale evokes the lively cultures of the diverse people who reside here and frequent the engaging festive celebrations, tantalizing eateries, and intriguing local markets. Here you can experience fare from tacos to collard greens to beignets. International Boulevard in Fruitvale has long been a gathering point for immigrants from around the world, particularly Mexico and Central America. The old Victorian-era Cohen-Bray house, the regal St. Elizabeth Church, the Peralta Hacienda National Historical Park (originally home to Native Americans) and the Cesar Chavez public library dot the Fruitvale landscape. Members of Phoenix Commons often walk to or park at the Fruitvale BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station which links the Fruitvale neighborhood to the greater Bay Area.
For more information about Fruitvale, click here.