2025 Architecture & HOme Tour
Saturday, May 10, 11:00 to 4:00
Register by April 4 for an Early Bird Special Discount
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Sponsorship /Ad Purchase Available Until April 7
Why should you purchase a sponsorship or ad? Our full-color booklet on premium paper is an opportunity to reach an audience of 200 or more local customers. Even more people will view the booklet when we post it online after the tour. You will be reaching a select audience with a message that you care about preserving our past to enrich our future. Sponsorships and ads support events that bring the community together to discover our local history and architectural heritage. See past tour booklets here.
Questions? Email here or call 510-304-7122 with sponsorship questions, or 510-828-6353 with ad questions.
Questions? Email here or call 510-304-7122 with sponsorship questions, or 510-828-6353 with ad questions.
Discover fascinating architecture and home styles in San Leandro. Explore the rich history of our architectural heritage. Get inspired by innovative designs and creative spaces.
Our 4th annual self-guided Architecture & Home Tour showcases a variety of San Leandro architecture, from the 1890s to the 1970s. You’ll go in a beautiful Craftsman bungalow home, a lovely and unique eclectic revival home, a home built as a “Model Home of the Future” for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition, and a beautiful, custom ranch-style home. You'll visit three historic buildings--the First Presbyterian Church (celebrating its 100th birthday), the Portuguese Holy Ghost chapel built in the 1890s, and the Veteran's Memorial Building with gorgeous Art Deco elements and a deep history,
The tour includes a printed keepsake booklet packed with information about each of the sites, as well as photographs and bonus material about San Leandro history. Click here to see the online PDF of past years' tour booklets.
How does this tour work? Registered guests pick up the tour booklet with all the tour sites and a map, then drive to the sites and visit at their own pace between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on May 10. Instructions for picking up the booklet and other details are provided upon registration.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to experience the best of San Leandro's architecture and homes! Register now!
VOLUNTEER and get a free tour! Volunteers are greeters (checking tickets at the door of tour sites) or room attendants (in one of the tour sites directing traffic and pointing out special features). Volunteers work 10:45 to 1:30 or 1:15 to 4:00 and do the tour before or after their shift. Email [email protected] or call 415-290-8542 for more information about volunteering.
The tour includes a printed keepsake booklet packed with information about each of the sites, as well as photographs and bonus material about San Leandro history. Click here to see the online PDF of past years' tour booklets.
How does this tour work? Registered guests pick up the tour booklet with all the tour sites and a map, then drive to the sites and visit at their own pace between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on May 10. Instructions for picking up the booklet and other details are provided upon registration.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to experience the best of San Leandro's architecture and homes! Register now!
VOLUNTEER and get a free tour! Volunteers are greeters (checking tickets at the door of tour sites) or room attendants (in one of the tour sites directing traffic and pointing out special features). Volunteers work 10:45 to 1:30 or 1:15 to 4:00 and do the tour before or after their shift. Email [email protected] or call 415-290-8542 for more information about volunteering.
Past Events
Story Share
City of San Leandro History Museum
Oral History Program Event
With Volunteers from the San Leandro Historical Society
March 1, 2005
Volunteers from the Historical Society assisted museum staff in capturing the stories of San Leandro residents at this Story Share oral history event. Their unique stories add to our understanding of San Leandro, past, present, and future!
City of San Leandro History Museum
Oral History Program Event
With Volunteers from the San Leandro Historical Society
March 1, 2005
Volunteers from the Historical Society assisted museum staff in capturing the stories of San Leandro residents at this Story Share oral history event. Their unique stories add to our understanding of San Leandro, past, present, and future!
Trivia Bee, Pizza Lunch, and General Meeting
Saturday, November 2, 2024
At the Historic Peralta House/Alta Mira Club
About 50 people gathered at the historic Peralta House/Alta Mira Club for a pizza buffet and general meeting. After the meeting, we presented the Then & Now Trivia Bee, showing photographs of historic buildings and San Leandro and asking what is there now. Participants had a great time shouting out answers and learning more San Leandro history.
Saturday, November 2, 2024
At the Historic Peralta House/Alta Mira Club
About 50 people gathered at the historic Peralta House/Alta Mira Club for a pizza buffet and general meeting. After the meeting, we presented the Then & Now Trivia Bee, showing photographs of historic buildings and San Leandro and asking what is there now. Participants had a great time shouting out answers and learning more San Leandro history.
Daily Life at the Turn of the Century
Saturday, September 7, 2024
At the Historic Little Brown Church
The audience was in rapt attention for Richard Schwartz's lively, informative slide show and talk about East Bay life around 1900, based on his book Berkeley 1900: Daily Life at the Turn of the Century.
Saturday, September 7, 2024
At the Historic Little Brown Church
The audience was in rapt attention for Richard Schwartz's lively, informative slide show and talk about East Bay life around 1900, based on his book Berkeley 1900: Daily Life at the Turn of the Century.
Dahlias and History
August 7, 2024
Sponsored by the San Leandro Dahlia Society & the San Leandro Historical Society
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THANK YOU to the many people who joined us on the grounds of the Casa Peralta, to see the beautiful dahlias in bloom, visit the Casa Peralta booth for information, drop in to the Little Brown Church to watch the Casa Peralta slide show and see the Brodie Q. Scotland photographs, while enjoying a lovely evening and delicious refreshments. And THANK YOU to the Dahlia Society for co-hosting this event and donating all the proceeds of their dahlia sales to the Casa Peralta Campaign Fund!
Architecture & Home Tour 2024
May 18, 2024
May 18: Homeowners and building owners, sponsors, volunteers, and coordinators celebrate the successful 2024 tour.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the
2024 Architecture & Home Tour a success!
2024 Architecture & Home Tour a success!
- To the homeowners and building owners who graciously opened their doors and shared the beauty and stories of their homes--thank you for your generosity and warmth. Your passion for preserving San Leandro history is truly inspiring.
- To our incredible sponsors, The Optimist Club of San Leandro, Juan and Evelyn González, Cindy and Rick Simons--your contributions made this event possible. We appreciate your commitment to our community and its heritage.
- To our amazing volunteers and coordinators--your dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm were the driving force behind this tour. Thank you for giving your time and energy to ensure everything ran smoothly.
- And to the participants who toured the outstanding gems of our neighborhoods--thank you for your interest in our city. We hope to see you again next year!
Booth at San Leandro's It's a Wonderful Night, December 1, 2003
Trivia Bee and Luncheon at the Alta Mira Club, November 4, 2023
Guests had a great time exploring San Leandro history and the historic Alta Mira Club.
Guests had a great time exploring San Leandro history and the historic Alta Mira Club.
The Apology Film Screening at the Historic Bal Theater, October 17, 2023
More than 500 people registered for this special screening of a documentary exploring an incident in the 1960s when Alameda County and the City of Hayward dismantled the entire community of Russell City, pushing 1,400 residents out of their homes and off their land -- all to claim the 200 acres for an industrial park.
More than 500 people registered for this special screening of a documentary exploring an incident in the 1960s when Alameda County and the City of Hayward dismantled the entire community of Russell City, pushing 1,400 residents out of their homes and off their land -- all to claim the 200 acres for an industrial park.
2023 Architecture and Home Tour, May 20
Thank you to sponsors, tour site homeowners and organizations, and volunteers who made it possible for our guests to explore San Leandro architecture and historic buildings.
Thank you to sponsors, tour site homeowners and organizations, and volunteers who made it possible for our guests to explore San Leandro architecture and historic buildings.
Missed the tour? Went on the tour but would like digital booklets? Click here.
Comments from Tour Guests
- The 2023 selection of beautiful old homes and historic buildings was just lovely!
- The right amount of spots to stop, explore and learn about their history.
- Everyone was so welcoming~ the volunteers, the owners or hosts and of course the San Leandro Historical Society.
- The booklet was very informative, including the pictures.
- Program notes were engaging, informative
Thank you to our History Hero Sponsor,
The Optimist Club of San Leandro
And to our History Supporter Sponsors
Juan & Evelyn Gonzalez
And to Bronze Sponsors
Chad & Jean Pennebaker
The Optimist Club of San Leandro
And to our History Supporter Sponsors
Juan & Evelyn Gonzalez
And to Bronze Sponsors
Chad & Jean Pennebaker
2022 Events
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Trivia Bee, Potluck Lunch, and General Meeting
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Join us for an informative and fun trivia bee, a potluck lunch, and a short meeting. We’ve rented the historic Peralta Home/Alta Mira Club, the oldest building in San Leandro, for our last 2022 event. A docent will give us a tour. We'll have our trivia bee, lunch, and meeting in the spacious back room. We’ll supply the lasagnas; you bring a salad or dessert.
Have fun testing your local history chops in our San Leandro trivia bee. We'll show a picture of a person, place, or event, and start giving you hints. First person to call out the correct answer gets a point. The person with the most points at the end wins a prize -- and reigns as our Local History Champ!
We'll have a short meeting at the end, with a review of our 150th celebrations, our financial report, and the election of 2023 board members.
Please RSVP by November 10. It's free!
Have fun testing your local history chops in our San Leandro trivia bee. We'll show a picture of a person, place, or event, and start giving you hints. First person to call out the correct answer gets a point. The person with the most points at the end wins a prize -- and reigns as our Local History Champ!
We'll have a short meeting at the end, with a review of our 150th celebrations, our financial report, and the election of 2023 board members.
Please RSVP by November 10. It's free!
The sun is shining, the park is emerald green, and the end of summer is in sight.
Labor Day is one of our most beloved and memorable end-of-summer celebrations. Join the Historical Society on Saturday September 3rd from 11:00-3:00 at the Seagull Picnic Area at the San Leandro Marina Park. We will come together to enjoy food, music, and games. We will be celebrating the past, present, and future of Labor in San Leandro.
FOOD: You can either BYO picnic (barbecue grills at the Seagull Picnic Area are available on a first-come-first-served basis) or purchase a to-go picnic from one of our restaurant partners.
Don't feel like packing a picnic basket? We're partnering with two locally owned restaurants so you don't have to! Order ahead with any of our restaurant partners and they will take care of the rest. Pick up your pre-paid orders between 11:00 am and 12:00 at the picnic.
HISTORY: We’ll also be showcasing the history of labor in San Leandro with photos from the archive of local workers, unions, and companies that are new and old.
Labor Day is one of our most beloved and memorable end-of-summer celebrations. Join the Historical Society on Saturday September 3rd from 11:00-3:00 at the Seagull Picnic Area at the San Leandro Marina Park. We will come together to enjoy food, music, and games. We will be celebrating the past, present, and future of Labor in San Leandro.
FOOD: You can either BYO picnic (barbecue grills at the Seagull Picnic Area are available on a first-come-first-served basis) or purchase a to-go picnic from one of our restaurant partners.
Don't feel like packing a picnic basket? We're partnering with two locally owned restaurants so you don't have to! Order ahead with any of our restaurant partners and they will take care of the rest. Pick up your pre-paid orders between 11:00 am and 12:00 at the picnic.
- It's A Grind Cafe is a specialty coffee house established in 1994 to provide high quality gourmet coffee, espresso beverages, better for you healthy cold drinks, a range of home baked foods in a comfortable, and a community-focused neighborhood environment. Their online menu offers pizza, piroshkis, breakfast burritos, brownies and more. Order up to 3 days ahead at their website: iagsanleandro.com/. Schedule item(s) for pick up with a note that it should be delivered as part of the Labor Day Picnic.
- Joaquin Deli is a neighborhood gem bridging delectable Old World comforts with a fusion of fresh local ingredients. They are known for their fine sandwiches, a great match for any picnic. Try the popular Lunch Box Combo which includes a sandwich of your choice from the sandwich menu, a brownie or a cookie, a can of soda or bottled water and a side order. Order ahead at their website: joaquindelica.com/36568 Schedule item(s) for pick up with a note that it should be delivered as part of the Labor Day Picnic.
HISTORY: We’ll also be showcasing the history of labor in San Leandro with photos from the archive of local workers, unions, and companies that are new and old.
Open House
and Here Is a Sign Photo Exhibit
Saturday, July 23 -- 3:00 to 5:00
Historic Little Brown Church
384 W. Estudillo Ave., San Leandro
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Enjoy wine and refreshments in the lovely courtyard of the Little Brown Church. Visit inside our historic building to see Brody Scotland's fabulous photos of mid-20th century San Leandro signs. Meet the artist!
When the horse and buggy disappeared and cars dominated the scene, the design of commercial signs changed to attract drivers cruising along the road. These oversized signs with bright colors caught the eye and were easier to read from a fast moving car.
Brody's 24 photographs highlight unique perspectives and shine a light on some San Leandro icons. They remind us to take another look at these often fading, damaged, and disappearing San Leandro signs. Have you noticed them when you're driving around town? Do you have. memories of these places? Rediscover some San Leandro treasures! A handout is available to help you find these signs around town.
Masks required inside the building.
When the horse and buggy disappeared and cars dominated the scene, the design of commercial signs changed to attract drivers cruising along the road. These oversized signs with bright colors caught the eye and were easier to read from a fast moving car.
Brody's 24 photographs highlight unique perspectives and shine a light on some San Leandro icons. They remind us to take another look at these often fading, damaged, and disappearing San Leandro signs. Have you noticed them when you're driving around town? Do you have. memories of these places? Rediscover some San Leandro treasures! A handout is available to help you find these signs around town.
Masks required inside the building.
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Art Exhibit ~ Watercolors of Historic Photos
July 1 to July 30
Main Library Art Gallery
300 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro
Check library website for open hours
Artist Diana Prola, inspired by historical photographs, painted 14 watercolors to celebrate San Leandro's 150th birthday. She has captured Lincoln School, the Best Building, a cherry orchard, tree-lined Estudillo Avenue, and many more beautiful San Leandro images.
Diana generously donated these to the Historical Society to raise funds for our celebration events. Thank you, Diana!
Don't miss these lovely images of San Leandro in the past, on display at the Main Library Art gallery in the month of July. Purchase one of these to grace your home and support Historical Society event plans!
Diana generously donated these to the Historical Society to raise funds for our celebration events. Thank you, Diana!
Don't miss these lovely images of San Leandro in the past, on display at the Main Library Art gallery in the month of July. Purchase one of these to grace your home and support Historical Society event plans!
Our Heartfelt thanks to these 150th Sponsors
Our events would not be possible without their support!
Brooks-Mathews Foundation
Optimist Club of San Leandro
Evelyn & Juan Gonzalez
Mitch Huitema & Tim Holmes
Cindy & Rick Simons
Jeff & Beth Mihaly
Ken Pon
Donald & Linda Pollard
Loren & Jacqui Diaz Family
Whit Magor
The San Leandro Historical Society is planning multiple events throughout 2022 in celebration of our City's 150th, sesquicentennial, anniversary. To make our vision reality we are looking for the support of corporate and business sponsors and individuals who care about our diverse San Leandro community and want to help us bring the community together to explore local history. Local businesses are an important part of our history, both past and present, and our goal is to give you the exposure you deserve. Download the Sponsor Package below to explore our current plans for events, programs, and merchandise through which your business can be publicly recognized. Don't miss this opportunity to market your business and be a part of this historic year. Click the Sponsorship Package to explore our events and sponsor levels. Use the form in the package to mail with your check, or use the button below to pay with a credit card online.
We're giving voices a microphone, and passing the word of community members who would like to share their stories in their own words on a diverse range of topics. This will be a year long project so stay tuned each month as we release new episodes. Click the button above for more information.