Alameda is a city within Alameda County, better known for its most populous city, Oakland. It is just a Park Street Bridge away from Oakland but it seems so much further. The bridge was built by workers of the Federal WPA program in 1935. Part of the celebration on opening day included a wedding of an Oakland man to an Alameda woman. Park Street is the downtown cultural center of the city. From this street, along with its cross streets, you can find a plethora of Art Deco, Victorian, Craftsman and Colonial Revival architecture. After eating at Ole’s (who has been using the same waffle recipe since they opened in 1927) we wandered around the city enjoying the details of true craftsmanship. One of our favorite buildings was the Alameda Theater, a masterpiece from 1932. Next time we come, we are going to give ourselves more time here to take a walking tour and visit the museum.
Going to Alameda is like opening a time capsule.
My grandmother used to take me and siblings to the diner in Hood River (Or). We’d sit at the counter and eat lunch. I loved that place! And now this diner is on my must-visit list :)!
First, Ole’s is amazing. The coffee, the pecan strawberry waffles, the waffles and fried chicken, the service, the nostalgia, the ambience. Everything.
Second, so funny you mention Hood River. That is where my father-in-law and his father were born. My father-in-law’s grandfather moved there in the 1800s. Both my grandfather-in-law and great grandfather-in-law worked at the cannery before it became Full Sail Brewing Co. My husband and I have been to Hood River often to spend time there. It’s a special place.
Forgot to add that we’d spin around on the stools – that was the best part of lunch.