Alameda, city in Alameda County, western California, situated on islands and part of a peninsula in San Francisco Bay. Although largely residential, it has some industry, including boatbuilding and aircraft repair, and is the site of the huge Alameda Naval Air Station and a major United States Coast Guard base. The naval air station is scheduled to be closed by the year 1997. Originally located on a peninsula, Alameda became insular in 1902 with the completion of the Tidal Canal. The city was incorporated in 1854. It is linked with Oakland by a tunnel and several bridges. Its name is Spanish for “poplar grove.” Population 63,852 (1980); 76,459 (1990); 72,259 (2000).
