Neptune Beach Surf Club has been proposed for development at Alameda Point, and its signature attraction is a spacious $50 million wave pool that sits right on the waterfront of the San Francisco Bay. The surf park—projected for opening in 2029—is part of a broader vision for the Enterprise Park recreational area, which is in the works near Encinal Beach.
While the powerful waves along NorCal’s coast are great for experienced surfers, this proposed wave pool would create mechanically-generated, surfable waves for guests of all ages to surf, boogie board, and stand-up paddle board in a controlled environment.
A surf park, not a waterpark!
“We are NOT a Waterpark!” reads Neptune Beach Surf Club’s website—”This is a Surf-anchored, Skill and Progression oriented, Recreational Facility, with Beach Programming.” The waves can be enjoyed by all skill levels to learn the basics or perfect their moves.
The currently vacant lot would transform into a facility with amenities like changing rooms and restrooms, rental stations for surfboards and wetsuits, and a food service area. More ambitious plans include possible camping and glamping areas, a canoe club, a sailing center, a trail along the shoreline, a pump track, and a boat launch ramp. Neptune Beach Surf Club hopes to complement existing water activities along the Alameda Point shoreline, such as kayaking and sailing.
The name, “Neptune Beach,” is an ode to the “Neptune Beach Amusement Park” that operated in Alameda from 1917 until 1939. It was known as the “Coney Island of the West,” complete with a giant swimming pool, carnival games, beauty contests, baseball games, and more quintessential coastal Americana.
Project status and community input
Architect and avid surfer William Duncanson helms the Neptune Beach Surf Club project via his San Francisco-based architecture firm, BAR Architects and Interiors. He’s also one of the names behind Pro Swell, a surf park advisory firm that would lease the property from the City of Alameda, and take over operations of the surf pool once it’s built, according to the Alameda Post. The project is estimated to cost $50 million with a projected opening date in 2029.
We’ve a long way to go before the Neptune Beach Surf Club breaks ground, as there’s still plenty of pending approvals and red tape to tackle. On May 17th, the enterprise hosted a community input pop-up event to share their vision, gauge local interest, and gather feedback. You can learn more about the project and keep an eye out for additional community outreach at the Neptune Beach Surf Club website.