Emeryville, California

I have heard it said that Emeryville has the highest per capita commercial space of any city in California. I don’t know if it is true but you can certainly see the why someone might think so. It is filled with offices, hotels and stores (including Pixar and the infamous Balco—involved in the steroid case involving Barry Bonds). Here are the highlights:

Emeryville is right on the bay and the local Hilton rises up right on the Emeryville Pier. There is also a Chevy’s restaurant right next to it where you can look over the gently lapping green waves and watch the play of the seagulls. Very nice, comparably to the Wharf without the prices or the crowds.

The other great area of Emeryville is the Emeryville Market Place which has a great International eating space where you and friend can choose from everything from Mexican food to Ethiopian to Afghani food. It is right next to an excellent Borders bookstore, near a big movie theater, and by a great pool hall that gets pretty busy at night when the young people descend on it.

Emeryville is also a great meeting point because of its central location. It is just north of the Bay Bridge off of the 580. To south you will find the new Ikea. To north is bay side of Berkeley, to the east and southeast is north Oakland. It is a nice little area if you want to meet someone from SF without actually going into the City.