Upper Bal - San Leandro, CA

The area that would become San Leandro first belonged to the Ohlone Native American tribe before the Spanish arrived in the late 1700s. Rancho San Leandro, which was about 9,000 acres, was given to Jose Joaquin Estudillo by Mexico in 1842. His sons-in-law laid out the town site and San Leandro was incorporated in 1872. The land, prime for farming and agriculture, became a series of ranches until the 1900s, when the area began to industrialize. The San Leandro Art Association regularly hosts artsy events and festivals to celebrate the local artists in the area, and the events rotate in location and nature from year to year. Most Upper Bal residents look forward to the annual Cherry Festival, during which a number of artists, craftsmen, restaurants, and farmers turn out to display and sell their goods to the public.

Walking down 14th Street, you're sure to find your new favorite restaurant just a few blocks from your house, but you should know the best places to drop by before you go. First, there's the Paradiso Restaurant, offering a wide selection of Mediterranean dishes, such as roasted duck breast and racks of tender lamb. Want a lighter breakfast? This spot offers the ever-popular French scramble; it's worth the expense. Have a hankering for sushi? It's freshly made for you at Sushi Avenue. With a slew of complementary appetizers, such as edamame, pickled cucumbers, and tempura potatoes, the menu here doesn't disappoint. The best roll has to be the volcanic salmon roll, which delights those who truly enjoy spicy food. Also, make sure you try the fried green tea ice cream at the end of the night. On the south side of Upper Bal lies the Vallarta Restaurant. This tiny family restaurant makes a point of serving up some of the tastiest Mexican seafood dishes you can imagine. The mariscada, which comes with both octopus and shrimp, comes covered in a delicate red sauce that truly completes the dish. You also can't miss the especial de mama with its cheesy onion sauce and a combination of chicken, prawns, and crab.

Since 14th Street facilitates quick-moving traffic, that street remains well-used within Upper Bal and the rest of San Leandro. Upper Bal also caters to commuters, as it resides along I-580. Though parking on and around 14th Street can present a small problem, much of the parking available costs little or remains free, and parking in the upper neighborhoods doesn't make for too much of a hassle. The Bay Area Rapid Transit trains serve the San Leandro area, including Upper Bal, and the two stations located within the city make it simple to travel to other Bay Area cities in the vicinity. Upper Bal has become very walkable, though getting to downtown San Leandro does require a car or train. Uber and Lyft have become transportation options in San Leandro, though calling a cab remains an available, though expensive, option for getting around the city. Bikers in Upper Bal and the rest of San Leandro enjoy the numerous paved bike paths that the city has created.

Halcyon Park remains the closest park to Upper Bal and provides the traditional playground and open green space. This park also features a toddler-specific area without any hard surfaces to ensure that little ones can play safely. The park is well-maintained, and there's a small walkway perfect for strollers. San Leandro is home to 23 parks, and several offer special events, such as live concerts. Just east of Upper Bal, Lake Chabot Regional Park includes the 315-acre lake, which is stocked with trout, catfish, bass, and crappie. The park hosts a spring fishing derby, and there are several piers located on the lake. The park also offers a fitness zone set in a rain garden, canoe and boat rentals, hiking trails, picnic areas, horseshoe pits, and a tour boat. The Redwood Canyon Public Golf Course is located on the east side of the park.

Upper Bal, with its WWII-era homes and proximity to a BART station, presents a cheaper style of living than many East Bay cities, though you still might gape at the price tag. Given that the average rental rate within Upper Bal runs around $1,221, it should not come as a surprise that Upper Bal's cost of living rises 34 percent above the national average, though only one percent above the California average. Upper Bal, as opposed to downtown San Leandro, costs similarly in terms of housing, groceries, and utilities. To take BART within the city of San Leandro, it costs $3.70, and the gas prices in Upper Bal remain around 10 percent higher than the national average.

Upper Bal's residential neighborhood lies within walking distance of some of San Leandro's best shopping centers. Want to spend a day thrift store hopping? Make sure you hit Thrift Town, a secondhand store with everything from old books to vintage clothing for both men and women. Nearby, there's also the Greenhouse Marketplace shopping center, which provides chains such as Safeway and GNC to residents of Upper Bal. The Bayfair Center, however, presents the largest shopping opportunity for Upper Bal locals, complete with a Macy's, kid-oriented wall art, and many furniture department stores. For groceries, most residents head over to either Target or Safeway, though the best places to get produce remain the Downtown San Leandro Farmers Market and the Castro Valley Farmers Market.