Chelsea By the Bay

Chelsea by the Sea in Hercules can barely be called a neighborhood at all. It is really just a few streets of a modular home community--a community that actually continues far to the south of these streets and should all be included as part of the same neighborhood if the coherence of a neighborhood is to make any sense.

I think marketing probably had a lot more to do with the naming of this place more than anything than anything else. This neighborhood is, in fact, right by the Bay with views of the waters from some spots. The western end of this “neighborhood” is a canal that washes in from Bay. On the northern end there is a marshy break, railroad tracks where the Amtrak and other trains pass (I think) and a great walking trail.

Homes here are pretty affordable, running around $200 K--which is not surprising given that this neighborhood feels more than a little bit like a condominium complex. These were all built out in the late 80’s (1988, I think) and have plenty of bedrooms, usually 3 or 4, but just only about 1500 ft., so a little bit on the cramped side.

The schools here are apparently just so-so. Neither great nor terrible as throughout Hercules. Crime here is really low as well with very little to report (basically a burglary and an assault in six months).

The commute is pretty bad but you can make it as far as SF in about an hour, or down to Oakland or Walnut Creek, or up to Fairfield in the same amount of time. San Jose, however, would be way too much of a stretch.

So I would definitely recommend checking it out if you are looking for an affordable place to live.