Bay Farm Island, Alameda, California facts for kids
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Nickname: Asparagus Island
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Aerial view of Bay Farm Island in October 2020
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 Bay Farm Island
Location in San Francisco Bay Area
Bay Farm Island
Location in California
Bay Farm Island
Location in the United States
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| Geography | |
| Location | Northern California |
| Coordinates | 37°44′13″N 122°14′06″W / 37.737°N 122.235°W |
| Adjacent bodies of water | San Leandro Bay |
| Total islands | 1 |
| Administration | |
| State |  California |
| County | Alameda |
| City | Alameda |
Bay Farm Island is a part of the city of Alameda, California. It is located in Northern California. Even though it's called an "island," it's actually connected to the mainland now. It became a peninsula because new land was created by filling in parts of the bay.
Bay Farm Island is separated from the rest of Alameda by a narrow water channel. It is also connected to Oakland and the Oakland International Airport. Its ZIP code is 94502.
Contents
History of Bay Farm Island
Before the 1900s, Bay Farm Island was mostly farmland. Farmers grew a lot of asparagus here. This is why it was also known as Asparagus Island. The area also had many large oyster beds. These oysters were sent to restaurants in nearby San Francisco.
What's on Bay Farm Island Today?
Today, Bay Farm Island is home to many different things. You can find the 36-hole Chuck Corica Golf Complex here. There are also offices and shops. Many homes have been built in different neighborhoods.
The island has a series of beautiful lagoons. There are also several community parks, like Shoreline Park. A greenbelt runs around the edge of the peninsula. This is a natural area with plants and open space.
For many years, the Oakland Raiders football team had their headquarters on Bay Farm Island. They were there from 1995 until 2020.
Harbor Bay Isle Community
The biggest neighborhood on Bay Farm Island is called "Harbor Bay Isle." It is located in the northern and western parts of the island. This area is divided into seven smaller sections, called villages. Six of these villages are for homes. The seventh village has businesses, including the Harbor Bay business park.
Much of Harbor Bay Isle was built on reclaimed land. This means that parts of the bay were filled in to create new land for building.
Schools on Bay Farm Island
There are three elementary schools on Bay Farm Island. These schools are:
- Bay Farm Elementary
- Coastline Christian Schools (which used to be called Chinese Christian Schools)
- Amelia Earhart Elementary
Amelia Earhart Elementary is named after the famous pilot, Amelia Earhart. She started many of her flights from the nearby Oakland Airport.
Getting Around Bay Farm Island
There are several ways to get around Bay Farm Island and to other cities.
Public Bus Service
AC Transit provides local bus service on the island. They also have "Transbay" buses that go to the Transbay Terminal in Downtown San Francisco. These are good for people who work or visit San Francisco.
During school days, there are special bus rides for students. These buses take students from their neighborhoods to different local schools.
Harbor Bay Business Park Shuttle
A free shuttle bus connects the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal with the Harbor Bay Business Park. It also goes to the Oakland Coliseum station. This shuttle helps people get to work or connect with other transportation.
Harbor Bay Ferry
The Harbor Bay Ferry offers boat service during busy times of the day. This ferry takes people to the San Francisco Ferry Building. It's a popular way for commuters to travel to San Francisco.
Notable People from Bay Farm Island
Some well-known people have lived on Bay Farm Island, including:
- Chris Isaak, a recording artist and musician
- David Segui, a former professional baseball player
- Jim Otto, a former center for the Oakland Raiders football team
- Stan Bunger, a radio broadcast journalist
Images for kids
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Aerial view of Bay Farm Island in October 2020
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The Harbor Bay business park on Bay Farm Island.
