Spiral Staircase Descending from Arc de Triomphe Paris

James Pixton inside the Arc de Triomphe, Paris, December 2014

In 1997, James Pixton moved to Alameda, California so he could be a bankruptcy and divorce lawyer. It was kind of a funny thing because he had always said he’d live anywhere but California.

A decade and half later, James now has four wonderful kids including a couple water polo players and two prolific writers. Alameda has been our home for nearly the entire time–and we don’t want to be anywhere else!

Alameda is the East Bay’s best kept secret. With a rejuvenated Park Street business district, there is almost no reason to ever leave the island! The Pixtons love Alameda! This town has been so good to us.