Chestnut Station is a cozy Alameda neighborhood hub with subtle star power. Not far from the historic train stop you’ll find family activities, shopping, arts, and culture to absorb. This commercial center grew along with the historic neighborhood built by Joseph Leonard, an area favored for its architectural charms. Walk among the Queen Anne and Colonial Revival homes and admire their picturesque paint, elaborate millwork, and ornate turrets. Stroll a few blocks south on Lafayette Street to the Alameda lagoons, the original shoreline until 1957 when millions of tons of sand expanded the island footprint.

Shop

Transform your home with unique custom furniture from Artistic Home Studio & Boutique. This creativity hub serves a range of purposes for the community, from shopping to DIY furniture refinishing. The studio has soaring ceilings and warm, natural light, thanks to large pane windows overlooking Encinal Avenue. The space is set up for teacher-led DIY workshops on furniture refinishing, and classes include options such as Trash to Treasure Furniture Transformation, Patina & Rust Workshop, Stencil Sunday, and Painted Furniture Finishes. Don’t like to DIY? Hire the experts at Artistic Home Studio to work their magic for you. 1910 A Encinal Ave., 510-263-0337, ArtisticHomeStudio.com.

Up your greenery game with a stop at Encinal Nursery. This vibrant neighborhood nursery has been enriching the island since 1946. The lovely layout makes for a pleasant afternoon visit as you wander through flowering shrubs, citrus trees, gorgeous smelling herbs, vegetables, outdoor succulents, annuals, native perennials, and much more. Find a large selection of soils, planters, gifts, and garden goodies inside the shop. Wander back through the hot house full of indoor succulents and cacti and you’ll be sure to come away with more than you bargained for. Have a big yard and a little car? The nursery provides a flat fee for deliveries of plants, sod, and firewood. Need pointers on drought-tolerant plants, finding the perfect houseplant, or starting a succulent garden? The knowledgeable staff will steer you on the right course. 2057 Encinal Ave., 510-522-8616, EncinalNursery.com.

Shop on-trend fashions and weekend style for men and women at Lilac Dress Boutique. Tucked into the corner of Chestnut and Encinal, this airy shop boasts a rotating selection of jeans, sandals, and casual tops. You’ll also discover cocktail dresses, office-friendly styles, sundresses, and menswear, making this a great go-to spot for your laid-back looks or snazzy city style. Best of all are the beautiful, nontraditional bridal dresses, perfect for understated elegance, Bay Area-style. From your earrings down to your undies, this place has got you covered. 1918 Encinal, 510-865-2544-7600, LilacDressBoutique.com.

Play

Enrich your child’s mind with the Green Grass Learning Center’s summer learning programs. Summer sessions run weekly through mid-August and provide kiddos structured playtime along with education in English, math, Chinese, and drawing as well as outdoor activities. Once school swings back into session, Green Grass offers after-school programs that provide supervised homework time and instruction in Mandarin. The after-school program also offers pickup and drop-off from school. 2006 Encinal Ave., 510-378-5410, GreenGrassLearning.com.

Give your child the gift of movement. Dance Arts Project provides dance instruction to students of all ages and skill levels, with a focus on ballet, creative movement, and modern dance. From dance camps to the school’s annual performance, students have an opportunity to engage in an artistic community while building self-esteem and discipline and expanding their creative side. 1201 Chestnut St., 510-521-2270, DanceArtsProject.com.

Love the majestic beauty of the Leonardville Victorian homes? Get your own glimpse into the past with a docent-led tour of Meyers House and Garden. This treasure showcases the Colonial Revival architecture popular during the construction in 1897. Tours cost $5 and take place the fourth Saturday of the month from 1 to 4 p.m. After your tour, stroll over to San Jose Avenue to gaze at the beautiful Queen Anne Victorians. 2021 Alameda Ave., 510-521-1233, AlamedaMuseum.org/meyers-house-and-garden.

Eat

Chestnut Station runs on the fine coffee and fare from Blue Dot Cafe. This chill local spot features seasonal, organic breakfast, lunch, and brunch staples with a gourmet twist. Try the breakfast strata with organic spinach and Gruyere or a buttered slice of house-made strawberry cinnamon bread. If it’s a laid-back Sunday, you can have beer or wine with lunch or meet your caffeine needs with an array of espresso drinks. The cafe is family-friendly so bring the whole gang, or pop in solo with your laptop for a work session and an iced latte. Good tunes will be spinning on the speaker system or the record player in the back room. A rotating selection of local art graces the cafe’s signature blue walls. 1910 Encinal Ave., 510-523-2583, BlueDotCafeAndCoffeeBar.com.

Stop in to the surprisingly large Encinal Market for groceries and local gourmet goodies. Deli sandwiches are made to order, and you’ll find fresh meat, fish, and produce, as well as a solid selection of organic goods. The beer, wine, and spirits section is robust, and the market offers Peter James coffee beans, roasted in San Leandro. In the mood for something sweet? Grab some gelato by Naia, made in Hercules and featuring local ingredients such as St. George Single Malt Whiskey. 1202 Chestnut St., 510-521-9727.

Travel back in time when you enter Marti’s Place. The cozy breakfast-and-lunch spot feels like a visit to grandma’s with its kitschy mismatched mugs, ceramics, and nostalgic decor. Breakfast is served all day, so you can sleep in and still enjoy the delectably thin Swedish pancakes topped with powdered sugar and lingonberry jam. 1905 Encinal Ave., 510-521-4600.