Neighborhood Highlights
Pixar Animation Studios
Beginning in 1979, Pixar Animation Studios has been the birthplace of some of the most cherished characters in modern animation history. In 1995, Disney and Pixar released Toy Story, their first collaborative project and the first-ever computer-animated feature film. In 2000, Pixar moved to its current 22-acre home in Emeryville. Several local hangouts and eateries, including Arizmendi (Inside Out) and Fenton’s Creamery (featured in Up) make brief appearances in Pixar films, so be vigilant.
Golden Gate Park
Over three miles long and about half a mile wide, it was designed in 1871 by park commissioner William Hall, who incorporated winding walking trails through more than 1,000 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, woods, and lakes. Golden Gate Park is a lush and laid-back refuge from the bustle of San Francisco, stretching all the way from the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood to the Pacific coast.
Marina Park
When you’re looking for a picnic lunch or a sunset stroll, look no further than Emeryville’s Marina and Marina Park. Residents frequent the area for a jog or a quiet break from the day. On a clear day, visitors are rewarded with views of the Bay Bridge, San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. Make sure to bring a jacket or two; in true San Francisco fashion, when the fog rolls in and the winds pick up, the temperature drops drastically.
A Brief History of Emeryville
Emeryville’s past is as colorful and exciting as its present. In 1859, Joseph S. Emery, a stonecutter from New England and a prominent Bay Area builder, purchased a 185-acre tract north of Oakland. A small, prosperous community emerged along with a flourishing residential area known for its ornate Victorian houses.
Now, it's hard to believe that Emeryville's checkered past of the early 1900s was rife with gambling houses and bordellos. Over the years since World War II, the town has become a thriving arts and business center that includes the impressive Bay Street Shopping Center complex of shopping, cinemas, restaurants, and residences, as well as the farmers market and the beautiful and superbly functional Emeryville Marina,
Today, as Emeryville looks to the future, several new development projects are underway, and the city and school district have joined forces to create a magnificent state-of-the art school and community center complex.
