Emeryville has far surpassed its label as the “Rottenest City of the Pacific Coast!”

When I was at Rotten City Pizza in Emeryville, I was reading a quote by the Alameda County District Attorney Earl Warren. He said that Emeryville was “the rottenest city on the Pacific Coast.” This quote is what inspired the name of Rotten City Pizza. There is nothing rotten about their pizza, however, it is delicious. They are open late, have free delivery and sell it by the slice if you are in the neighborhood.

And for the history buffs, following the crackdown on gambling ion 1919, Emeryville began licensing card clubs, and many prospered along San Pablo Ave including Santa Fe Club, King Midas Club, Bank Club, Key Club, Alamo Club, Avalon Club and Oaks Club. Today, only the Oaks Club has survived. You can still enter the Bank Club but it’s only if you want to grab a drink. Speaking of drinks, during prohibition in the 1930s, a number of “speakeasies” and bootleg joints offered illegal liquor. The Townhouse Bar and Grill built in 1926 and one of these “speakeasies” and still exists today serving up great food and drinks and has live jazz weekly.

Today, Emeryville boasts many modern bars and restaurants and is home to Bay Street. This urban hub uses architecture, lighting, landscape and environmental graphics to create a unique, contemporary atmosphere where you can shop, eat, live and has a tremendous, high quality movie theater. You can also find the only IKEA in the East Bay located next door. A few of my favorite restaurants in Emeryville are Café Bier where you can dine while drinking beers from around the world and watch soccer, and the original Rudy’s Can’t Fail Café where you can get food, both traditional diner food and good vegetarian delights any time of the day. And rumor has it, that it is owned by one of the members of Green Day!

Emeryville is an easy commute to San Francisco, being the first stop over the bridge. Condo/loft prices range from $250K to $700K depending on size and era. For single family homes, prices range from $250K-$500K but they rarely come on the market. As a buyer, you will normally see condos or lofts for sale before you see a single family home. Emeryville also has a down payment assistance program that is worth checking into should you need some down payment assistance.

By Gina Odom, Realtor