The “Water Cooler” is a feature on Claycord.com where we ask you a question or provide a topic, and you talk about it.
The “Water Cooler” will be up Monday-Friday in the noon hour.
QUESTION: In your opinion, what is the best city in the Bay Area?
Talk about it….
Once upon a time I would have said San Francisco, but not any more. Most of the Bay Area is over populated, creating too much traffic. I’ve always liked Alameda, but I haven’t been there in a long time, so I don’t know how it is today. Some of the smaller towns in Marin County are nice, but Marin has always been a pain to drive through with their posted speed limits of 25 and 35 MPH. Years ago anywhere on the Peninsula was nice, but they too are having problems now, and I’ve never cared for the South Bay.
If Alameda is still as nice as I remember it, then I will vote for Alameda.
The last time I was in Alameda, it had changed dramatically since I lived there in the early to mid 70s. At that time, the Naval Air Station was in operation and there was naval housing, a few more newly constructed apartment buildings, and converted Victorians that provided apartments. The town’s focus were it’s funky, older, lower-cost marinas and boat works. But mostly it was older, single-family homes. There was one major “shopping center” with cheap, off-the-rack clothes, and the only bookstore in town was a Christian bookstore. It was basically undiscovered.
Last time I was over there, it was “Condo, and Condo on the Water City.” Condos everywhere. It’s gone upscale! It even has a small, thriving higher-end, and picturesque houseboat community rivaling anything I’ve seen in Sausalito. Maybe even cleaner. Shopping centers galore. A gigantic, modern Target store and others. Lots of places to eat out. And, they started tearing down the marinas and boat works to build more condos. Its proximity to San Francisco and a fairly easy, quick commute made it very desirable — much more so than say Emeryville, or Oakland. I was amazed how the town had changed.
Dawg 101 has the same speed limits as other freeways in this area and state.
I lived in the Marin for 6 years, Marinwood, and yes there are several small town that are very charming, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Tiburon.
I wasn’t talking about 101. I was talking about the streets in Marin. I have family and friends in Fairfax, San Anselmo, San Rafael, and Woodacre. The main thoroughfare is Sir Francis Drake Blvd and it is a very slow drive.
Lafayette
With the closing of El Charro I gotta say not anymore. But it would have been one of my top votes.
Still gotta say anything in the 680 corridor from lafayette to WC to danville. Probably danville as number one pick.
None!
There is no such things as “best” city, since there are so many to choose from.
There are cities and towns I like very much, but wouldn’t want to live there. I love Half Moon Bay, and have spend a lot of times there, since I had friend living there. I wouldn’t want to live there, because it is somewhat secluded and I don’t care for the fog in the summer.
I have lived in San Francisco, Marin, Foster City, Benicia and now Concord.
I use to love to go into the City and meeting friends for drinks etc. don’t do that anymore (my partying days are pretty much over). Foster City is a nice area to bring up children, everything is right there and it is close to the air port if someone travel on business a lot (one reason we moved there, since my ex did a lot of that). I moved to Benicia when my daughter went off to college. I really like Benicia, close to the water, a nice small town feeling, easy to get on the road to go to Tahoe etc., close to the wine country with great dining. Other towns I like a lot Sonoma, Napa, Healdsburg, Petaluma. In this area I like Clayton.
Clayton, with a Police force that makes a difference.
I’d say a toss up between Clayton and Danville. But Clayton has the best view amount Diablo ever, and Clayton people are more genuine and friendly.
I was just in San Francisco yesterday and that place is a dirty, crime-ridden cesspool!
Clayton!
1) Menlo Park, nice downtown, good weather, decent transport options, good public schools.
2) Walnut Creek, same as above.
I was going to say Sausalito but the people in Marin County are insufferable snobs. Saratoga is very nice but is only for the hyper-rich now.
I’d say Benicia. Historic, picturesque, low-key, not too snobby.
Sausalito is, or use to be mostly tourist. Although when I lived in Marin my ex husband and I had a few favorite sea food restaurants we liked. I think Scomas was one, but it was fairly expensive, there was another right on the main street, good food reasonable prices. Might have been called “7 Seas” not sure it was a long time ago. I agree about Benicia, lived there for 10 years and loved it.
Los Gatos is lovely.
Clayton.
If you dont mind driving a few extra miles every day, it’s the best family town.
@Bob. It’s not the few extra miles, it’s the few extra hours. I lived in Clayton for 25 years and loved it, when I was THERE. Problem was, I worked in Oakland. I’ve lost a few years of my life to Ygnacio Valley Rd.
I’ll go with Benicia also. I like Martinez but it seems to be changing.
Alamo
Oh! I read that wrong! In the “Bay Area” I’d have to say Tiburon or Belvedere.
Alamo
I live in a beautiful neighborhood in Rossmoor in Walnut Creek.
I have so many nice neighbors. My place backs up to open space and it is a level in. A triptych. All single story. Beautiful plants lots of redwoods and oak trees. For me I love it here. All paid for too! Thankful.
Well, that sure explains a lot.
I pick Port Costa as my fav but I guess that doesn’t really qualify as a city…
so, Im going with Fairfax. Chock full of nuts and liberal moonbats but the town is so cool.
Ha, ha Do you realize the “Chock full of Nuts” was a fast food restaurant in New York, known for their coffee, and they had a nut date bread (I think) with cream cheese that was outstanding.
Coffee a millionaires money can’t buy…
yes I am over 50.
Clayton. I am not a fan of the bay area, so there really isn’t much competition.
All of California is horrific. Clayton is the least of that.
I know a million residents in the Northeastern counties who would disagree with you, myself included.
Us people of Downieville think you should get out more often…
Bay Point, Antioch
There’s a long list of things to take into consideration when defining the attributes of any city.
Such as, who’s list would be most appropriate?
A bleeding hearts, rabid environmentalists, looney leftists, the radical right, etc, etc, etc?
How to decide.
Using my own list of attributes I can make a contribution to the conversation.
From my point of view, there is no city in CA that meets my expectations as the most desirable city.
And I say this for one reason.
I don’t need any elected politician telling me what’s right from wrong.
Why not leave politics out of it. I think what is meant by the question is which City do you enjoy visiting, which means do you like the shops, the restaurants, it’s ambiance etc. Like I mentioned before I love Half Moon Bay, but wouldn’t like to live there. I have found no matter where I have lived I have found nice neighbors, some became friends. I did find that Benicia had very friendly people, I owned a condo there and became friends with 3 of my neighbors right away. Foster City does not really count due to the fact that we had several friends there already. I did find when I moved from Foster City to Benicia, people on the Peninsula would turn up their nose of the East and North Bay, buy I found the people in Benicia and surroundings not only nice, but just as educated and sophisticated as on the Peninsula. There are nice people everywhere.
I grew up in Lafayette in the 60s & 70s. It was nice then but now it’s been ruined by the yuppies so YUCK
I think my heart will alway belong to Martinez. Love Main St, the fact locals go to Friday night football & basketball at Alhambra, the marina and it’s walking paths and in general the small town feel and history.
Next on the list in no particular order are Benicia, Napa, Sonoma, Alameda & Sunol
I’ve lived in Benicia since 1984 and loved every minute of it. Perfect weather, nice waterfront, very low crime, lots of terrific parks and open space, and good schools, I hope to never leave!
Redwood City, Belmont & San Carlos were nice back in the 80’s…Mill Valley & Marin in general was nice back in the 60’s & 70’s…Clayton, Alamo, Danville, San Ramon & Livermore were nice when there were horse ranches…San Francisco was a nice place to grow up 50 yrs ago. Today? Los Gatos, Glen Ellen
Democrats have ruined all the cities.
Agreed…this place would be MUCH nicer/better with a lot fewer Ds and much more Rs.
The democratic party used to be pretty reasonable. Pro gun, pro freedom. The party of We the people. Now it hates collectively, individuality. The “working class” is despised. The working class by the way is any family that cannot survive a few months without a paycheck. We have now seen what a year of this does to the economy. Meanwhile, government workers get paid whether or not they work. Plus they get health care that is unobtainable to most of us.
Walnut Grove is my favorite city. Right there along the river, people enjoying themselves fishing, boating, enjoying good meals just good times.
My primary criteria for a nice place to live are low crime and non-invasive government.
At one time, most of central Contra Costa was like that.
Not anymore.
As long as it’s not Concord, Bay Point, Pittsburg or Antioch, I’m probably cool. In the past I would not have excluded Concord, but those days are over.
Back in the 70’s or 80’s I might have picked a city here in CCC but now it’s a crap hole with over priced everything and too many transplants
Too close to call. Clyde or Alviso.
Diversity is strength and black is beautiful. Oakland is the best city in the whole bay area, the whole state, the murder rate be damned!
Humor?
I think some low income housing in Rossmoor and other nice cities is definitely needed. Bus system could begin pick ups before 6:00 am for them to get to work. A shelter for the homeless too. A new hotel for the homeless maybe? Then alcohol and drugs could be delivered right to their door. Their poop and used needles could be picked up while on your walk.
You would then have a true Bay Area experience. Just my opinion.