Alameda (ä-lä-mā' da), California, an important city of Alameda County, opposite San Francisco, on the shore of the Bay of San Francisco, and contiguous to the city of Oakland. It is reached from the interior by the Southern and the Central Pacific R. R.; while by ferry from the moles and wharfs of the town it is connected with San Francisco. The town makes a delightful suburb of the latter city, surrounded by shady oaks, and with clean streets, good schools and churches and the quiet and freedom of suburban life. Population 23,383.