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Major city · United States

AlbanyAlbany, California

Skip as a base: no hotels, two sights, one shopping street. Come for a half-day from Berkeley, or sleep next door and eat here.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Albany is a small city on the east shore of San Francisco Bay, wedged between Berkeley and El Cerrito, with about 20,000 residents. It has no hotels and only two real sights: the Albany Bulb, a reclaimed landfill turned waterfront park with junk art and bay views, and Albany Hill. What it does have is Solano Avenue, a walkable strip of restaurants and shops, and a location 10–20 minutes from Berkeley, Oakland and Richmond by car or bus. Treat it as a half-day or an evening out, not a destination.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
May–Oct (dry, farmers market runs Wednesdays May–Oct)
avoid Nov–Apr (rain); Dec–Feb nights are cold and damp
Airports
OAK · SFO
Nights
0–1
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 ▾

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
Emergency numbers for Albany911 ▾

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 Albany, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeUS$4–6
  • Sit-down mealSit-down burger with friesUS$16–22
  • Street or quick mealBagel sandwichUS$8–12
  • BeerDraft beer at a barUS$7–9
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed (Berkeley), a night, per personUS$45
  • Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room (Berkeley/El Cerrito), a night, per roomUS$190
  • High-end bedMotel or hotel double room (Berkeley/El Cerrito), a night, per roomUS$380

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$240

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.

Albany Bulb waterfront park and junk artSolano Avenue shops and restaurantsAlbany HillBirdwatching on the bay mudflats
Airports
OAK Oakland International (BART-connected; about 20–30 min by car to Albany (check traffic)) · SFO San Francisco International (BART-connected; about 35–50 min by car (check))

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    14°C (57°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    16°C (61°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    17°C (63°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    19°C (66°F)

  5. May

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    18°C (64°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    14°C (57°F)

Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →

Warmest Sep (25°C (77°F)), coolest Jan (6°C (43°F) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Albany: 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)

6°C (43°F)

11 rd

Feb

16°C (61°F)

7°C (45°F)

10 rd

Mar

17°C (63°F)

8°C (46°F)

10 rd

Apr

19°C (66°F)

9°C (48°F)

6 rd

May

21°C (70°F)

11°C (52°F)

3 rd

Jun

23°C (73°F)

12°C (54°F)

1 rd

Jul

24°C (75°F)

13°C (55°F)

0 rd

Aug

24°C (75°F)

13°C (55°F)

0 rd

Sep

25°C (77°F)

13°C (55°F)

1 rd

Oct

23°C (73°F)

12°C (54°F)

3 rd

Nov

18°C (64°F)

9°C (48°F)

8 rd

Dec

14°C (57°F)

6°C (43°F)

11 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

Albany is small and flat: walk Solano Avenue and the flats. AC Transit buses run along San Pablo Avenue and Solano Avenue; BART does not enter Albany — the closest stations are North Berkeley and El Cerrito Plaza, both a bus or short taxi ride away. A car helps for the Albany Bulb, where parking is at the west end of Buchanan Street.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Berkeleygo

Door to door: 15–25 min

AC Transit bus along San Pablo Avenue, or 10 min by car

Campus, Telegraph Avenue and the waterfront; the natural pairing with Albany.

Oaklandgo

Door to door: 20–35 min

I-580 east, or BART from North Berkeley

Museums, Lake Merritt and food; a full day.

Emeryvillego

Door to door: 15–25 min

I-80 south, about 10 min by car

Bay Street shops and the waterfront; short hop.

Richmond, Californiacaution

Door to door: 15–25 min

I-80 north, or BART to Richmond

Point Richmond and the Rosie the Riveter site; check which areas you are heading to.

San Francisco

go

Door to door: 30–60 min

I-80 west over the Bay Bridge, or BART from North Berkeley/El Cerrito Plaza

Bridge traffic decides the time; BART avoids it.

Alamedacaution

Door to door: 30–45 min

I-880 south then the tube, about 25 min by car

Better as its own half-day than a quick add-on.

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.

No beds in Albany

Albany has no hotels or motels. Sleep in Berkeley, El Cerrito or Richmond and drive or bus in.

Berkeley (near North Berkeley BART)

Closest practical base: 10–15 min by car or a short bus ride to Solano Avenue.

El Cerrito / Richmond

Cheaper rooms north of Albany; El Cerrito Plaza BART is the nearest station to the city.

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

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
US$60–90 excl. bed
Mid
US$100–160 excl. bed
High
US$180+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or hotel double room (Berkeley/El Cerrito)1 × 1 night × US$190US$190
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130US$260
BART from OAK to North Berkeley, one way2 × US$6 · checkUS$12
AC Transit single ride2 × US$3 · checkUS$5
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$50
Trip total≈ US$274 per person per day, bed includedUS$547

2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax 9.50% is added to posted prices. No beds in Albany — the bed line assumes Berkeley or El Cerrito. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeUS$4–6
Burrito at a taqueriaUS$12–16
Sit-down burger with friesUS$16–22
Draft beer at a barUS$7–9
Bagel sandwichUS$8–12
Rideshare, Berkeley to AlbanySurges at commute and closing time.US$10–16

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Albany is a low-crime residential city; the real risks are the unlit Albany Bulb after dark, bay mudflats at low tide, and Bay Area traffic. Standard big-city caution on San Pablo Avenue at night.
  • The Albany Bulb is unlit and isolated: do not walk there after dark.
  • No hotels in Albany — book in Berkeley, El Cerrito or Richmond.
  • Sales tax in the city is 9.50%; posted prices exclude it.
  • Bay Area traffic on I-80 and I-580 is heavy at commute hours; add time.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Poison control
1-800-222-1222

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

AlbanyAlbany, California

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Poison control1-800-222-1222

Embassy

No embassies in Albany. Consulates-general are in San Francisco; the nearest for most countries.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • BART OAK → North Berkeley: about US$6, 25–35 min (check)
  • AC Transit single ride: about US$2.50, exact change or Clipper card (check)
  • Rideshare Berkeley → Albany: US$10–16

Say or show

  • Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop?
  • Card, please — Card, please
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Is it far to walk? — Is it far to walk?
  • The check, please — The check, please
  • Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?

Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, US$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 Albany. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Oct (dry, farmers market runs Wednesdays May–Oct) · avoid Nov–Apr (rain); Dec–Feb nights are cold and damp · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for OAK and SFO: BART last trains, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Solano Avenue, the Bulb and Buchanan Street, Albany Hill.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Albany Bulb, Albany Hill, Solano Avenue) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources