Major city · United States
San Leandro
Base here only if you want cheap beds and a BART line into Oakland and San Francisco: 1 night, or 2 if you use it as a car base for the East Bay.
San Leandro is a working East Bay suburb of about 80,000 people, founded in 1872 and once a cherry-farming town. It has little sightseeing of its own, but two BART stations, free-ish parking and lower room rates than Oakland or San Francisco make it a practical, economical base for the Bay Area if you accept a 25–40 minute train ride to the sights.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (inland heat), Dec–Feb (rain)
- Airports
- OAK · SFO · SJC
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for San Leandro911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Leandro, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyDaytime downtown and the BART stations are ordinary suburban-safe; the real issues are car break-ins at trailheads and malls…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportOAK Oakland International (5–20 min by car; BART and buses link it to San Leandro.).
- Getting aroundTwo BART stations (San Leandro and Bayfair) run to Oakland, San Francisco and the airports.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–6
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$14–22
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) rideshare$12–20
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Budget bedHostel or budget motel bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedMid-range motel or hotel double, a night, per roomUS$170
- High-end bedMid-range motel or hotel double, a night, per roomUS$280
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$300
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- OAK Oakland International (5–20 min by car; BART and buses link it to San Leandro.) · SFO San Francisco International (About 25–30 min by BART plus a bus or rideshare.) · SJC San Jose International (30–40 min by car; no BART link, so a car, bus or taxi.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Dec (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Leandro: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Two BART stations (San Leandro and Bayfair) run to Oakland, San Francisco and the airports. AC Transit and the free LINKS shuttle cover local streets; a car is easier for the marina and Lake Chabot. Bike lanes run along most major streets.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Oakland
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
BART from San Leandro or Bayfair, 15–20 min
Lake Merritt, museums and food; the obvious half-day.
San Francisco
goDoor to door: About 1 h
BART direct, about 35–45 min
Ride BART rather than drive: downtown parking costs more than the fare.
Alameda
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car or bus via Davis St and Doolittle Dr, 15–20 min
Ferry to San Francisco from the Alameda or Jack London Square terminals.
Berkeley
goDoor to door: About 50 min
BART to Downtown Berkeley, about 30–40 min
Campus and Telegraph Ave; easy on the same BART line.
Hayward
cautionDoor to door: About 25 min
BART south, 10–15 min
Mostly a transfer point; go only for a specific address.
Fremont
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
BART south, about 25–30 min
Suburban; useful for the Tesla plant area or onward trains.
Richmond, California
skipDoor to door: About 1 h 10 min
BART north, about 45–55 min
Too far for a casual day from here.
Emeryville
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Car or BART plus bus, 20–30 min
Shopping and bayfront; go only if you have a reason.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Estudillo
Walkable core near the library, Casa Peralta and Pelton Plaza dining; San Leandro BART about 10–15 min on foot.
Bayfair / East 14th St
Motels and the Bayfair Center mall next to Bayfair BART; cheapest beds, most car traffic.
Marina / shoreline
Quieter, bay views and the marina; you need a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range motel or hotel double1 × 1 night × US$170 | US$170 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$160 | US$320 |
| BART, San Leandro to San Francisco, both ways2 × US$16 · check | US$32 |
| BART airport run from OAK, both ways2 × US$12 · check | US$24 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$58 |
| Trip total≈ US$317 per person per day, bed included | US$634 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax of 10.75% is added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–6 |
| Burrito or taqueria plate | $12–18 |
| Diner breakfast | $14–22 |
| BART ride within the East Bay | $2.50–6 (check) |
| 5 km rideshare | $12–20 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Weekday rush hour (8–9am, 4–6:30pm) jams I-580, I-880 and I-238; build in slack for airport runs.Weekday rush hour (8–9am, 4–6:30 AMpm) jams I-580, I-880 and I-238; build in slack for airport runs.
- Downtown parking meters fill fast: use the Estudillo garage, free but time-limited.
- Sales tax is 10.75%, and listed prices exclude it.
- Some East 14th St motels are cheap for a reason: read recent reviews before booking.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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San LeandroSan Leandro
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies here; consulates-general sit in San Francisco. US visitors: your own embassy is in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- BART San Leandro → San Francisco: about $8 one way, 35–45 min (check)
- BART San Leandro → Oakland: about $3–4 one way, 15–20 min (check)
- Rideshare OAK → downtown San Leandro: $15–25, 10–20 min
Say or show
- Where is the BART station? — Where is the BART station?
- One ticket, please — One ticket, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Leandro. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (inland heat), Dec–Feb (rain) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for OAK and SFO: last BART departures, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown/Estudillo, Bayfair, the marina.
- Place pages with verified hours (Casa Peralta, History Museum, library) and eat pages with last orders.
- Rush-hour and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of San Leandro
- officialBART
- officialOakland International Airport
- officialAC Transit
- officialEast Bay Regional Park District
- officialDowntown San Leandro Cherry Festival
- secondaryWikivoyage: San Leandro, revision 5204852 (CC BY-SA 4.0)