Overview
San Leandro is a mid-sized city in Alameda County, in the state of California, United States of America (United States). The area reported a population of 84,950 at the 2010 census (2010 census). It lies on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay, between the cities of Oakland to the northwest and Hayward to the southeast.
Geography and character
San Leandro occupies a stretch of Bay shoreline and extends inland to foothills. Its setting gives the city mild, Mediterranean-influenced weather typical of the East Bay, with cool, foggy mornings along the water and warmer inland afternoons. The urban pattern includes established residential neighborhoods, commercial business districts, light-industrial areas and waterfront parks and marinas.
History and development
The territory was originally home to indigenous Ohlone peoples before Spanish and Mexican periods of regional settlement and land grants. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the locality developed through agriculture, shipping and small industry; during the 20th century it suburbanized as the greater San Francisco Bay Area expanded.
Economy, transport and community life
San Leandro hosts a mix of homes, retail corridors and industrial employers, along with municipal services, schools and recreational amenities. Transportation links include regional rapid transit and major highways that connect the city with Oakland, Hayward and other East Bay communities. Public parks and a waterfront provide recreational opportunities; a historic downtown offers shops and restaurants that serve local residents.
Notable aspects
- Position on the Bay gives San Leandro a waterfront character and access to marinas and shoreline parkland.
- The city combines suburban residential areas with light industry and commercial centers.
- Its history reflects indigenous presence, Spanish/Mexican era land use, and later American suburban growth.