Summary
- Emeryville is the most sustainable eco-friendly city in California, with initiatives like solar panels, water reduction, and promoting cycling over driving.
- Emeryville has a focus on sustainability for both residents and visitors, with indicators like community gardens, EV charging stations, and abundant trees.
- Visitors can enjoy eco-friendly adventures in Emeryville, such as wine tours, beach visits, local shopping, and participating in local cleanup events.
California is known for its natural attractions, from ski slopes to scenic cityscapes to sea surf, so it's not surprising that the state is home to many eco-tourism destinations. It's also easy to get out and enjoy nature, whether travelers are looking for hikes in the San Francisco area or are hoping for a sustainable adventure in the city.
If it comes down to choosing one city above all others to explore in California, it turns out Emeryville has a lot to offer eco-travelers. Here's why Emeryville is the most sustainable eco-friendly city in California and what to know about visiting.
What Makes Emeryville The Most Eco-Friendly City In California?
It was once known as the "rottenest city on the Pacific Coast," but today, Emeryville, California is considered the most sustainable eco-friendly city in California. Long ago, Emeryville was "rotten" during Prohibition, but now, the small city centers on art, culture, and even television production.
In terms of sustainability, Emeryville has an entire philosophy centered on its environment, economy, and equity. Not only does the city aim to protect nature, support the local economy, and distribute goods equally, but it also has small initiatives that add up.
Some of Emeryville's sustainable actions include installing solar panels across the city, reducing water usage, adding hundreds more trees to public areas, enrolling businesses in a Green Business program, and promoting cycling over automobile commutes.
The city has also reduced solid waste disposal and reduced carbon emissions through targeted energy programs.
A Climate Action Plan has also pushed Emeryville to the forefront among California cities; its action plan is aligned with the state's climate targets and has big plans for reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions to 80 percent below baseline by 2050.
Sustainable travel is about more than just the destination; there are many things to be aware of while traveling sustainably.
What Does Sustainability Look Like In Emeryville?
While residents play a huge part in eco-friendly practices, what does sustainability look like for visitors to Emeryville? For one thing, travelers might notice a handful of community gardens throughout the city.
An abundance of electrical vehicle charging stations is another obvious sign that Emeryville is working on reducing emissions.
- Check out Emeryville's EV charging stations map before visiting.
Tons of trees lining city streets, pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly paths and routes, and solar panels just about everywhere are further indicators that Emeryville cares about the environment.
Emeryville Is The Perfect Day Trip From San Francisco
Ready to explore the most sustainable eco-friendly city in California? Plan a trip to San Francisco, then make a day trip to explore nearby Emeryville. By car, it's about a 25-minute trip, but depending on where passengers originate, it's also an option to take public transportation.
- Where is Emeryville? Between Berkeley and Oakland, along the San Francisco Bay
- Does BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) Go Through Emeryville? Technically, no—BART stops right outside Emeryville. However, public transport is available from BART to various places in Emeryville.
- Once you arrive in Emeryville, use the free public shuttle service; Emery Go Round travels between businesses, hotels, and MacArthur BART Station.
It's a relatively small stop on a San Francisco trip, but there's plenty to see in Emeryville. The city hosts Pixar Animation Studios and is the home of Peet's Coffee & Tea and even Clif Bar.
Pack an eco-friendly travel kit to leave fewer traces of your travels.
Eco-Friendly Adventures In Emeryville
Any adventure can be eco-friendly in Emeryville if visitors choose sustainable travel methods and minimize waste. But many adventures are gentle on the environment anyway!
The top things to do in Emeryville include taking wine tours, visiting the beaches and marina (walking trails and the views of San Francisco Bay are great from Emeryville Marina), shopping locally on Bay Street, and spending time at McLaughlin Eastshore State Park.
The city also has a handful of parks to explore, ideal for relaxing or letting younger travelers get their energy out.
Travelers can find eco-friendly tour companies all over the globe, and Emeryville has some environmentally friendly offerings, too. Travelers can take sailing tours, guided fishing excursions, and even participate in local cleanup events.
For travel enthusiasts who want to make an impact everywhere they go, helping out during one of Emeryville's many environmental events is a way to give back. Events include a seasonal Coastal Cleanup in the fall, a Shorebird Park Shoreline Cleanup day in the spring, and other group cleanup events to help keep Emeryville clean.
If nothing else, travelers exploring Emeryville will appreciate that despite being in a sometimes smoggy area, the air quality is relatively good compared to other SF Bay cities.