It seems everyone wants to visit Emeryville, the East Bay's new ``destination.'' The town with a resident population of only about 7,000 actually swells most days to 20,000 as people come to work, shop, go to the movies and experience the great outdoors.

Emeryville is both high and low tech. Artists leave their lofts to work out along side computer wizards from the Pixar animation studio. Biotech researchers from Chiron and Bayer mingle over ``Joe'' at outdoor cafes.

Recreational opportunities abound for singles and the whole family, with sailing, fishing and yacht charters leaving from the Emeryville Marina at the end of Powell Street. Joggers, cyclists and picnickers often pause along the water's edge for a romantic sunset view toward San Francisco.

There is construction dust everywhere, but still room for greenbelts, parks and public art. The Earth Day Street Party and Carnival is held yearly in the spring at Temescal Creek Park, one of eight city parks.

Evolving Emeryville offers a range of housing, seemingly sprouting on every block. But bring your checkbook. Under adaptive reuse, Emeryville's brick warehouses and factories are giving way to upscale townhouses and lofts. That means thousands of people hungry for all kinds of dining experiences, from casual to fine.

And hungry to shop till they drop. The Bay Street development has scores of boutiques and restaurants, with housing being built on the top floor. Bay Street houses a multiplex theater and sponsors seasonal, holiday events and festivals, plus a farmer's market.

Powell Street Plaza started it all with its sports, music and clothing stores, while East Bay Bridge Center, near the freeway, lures patrons with free parking and such ``big box stores'' as Best Buy. The thriving IKEA just down the road still packs 'em in.

Hungry for a cultural experience? Check out the international food stalls inside the EmeryBay Public Market near its multiplex theater. Can't afford a vacation? Check out its bustling crowds at meal time and marvel at the myriad aromas.

The city has an Art in Public Places program, started in 1990. Check out the city Web site's Art Walking guide and public art photo tour online. ``Art Along the Avenue'' is a monthly walking tour through artist installations along San Pablo Avenue, as well as art spaces from 36th to 53rd streets. It operates on the first Saturday of the month, starting at 11 a.m.

Nightclubs and music venues - such as the brand new Willie Mays Sky Box Lounge - draw the weekend crowds. Feeling more casual? Friends of the Golden Gate Library on San Pablo Avenue offers Jazz on Sundays and History of Jazz seminars.

Emeryville hasn't forgotten its 700 school children. Public schools have improved mightily since they were under state stewardship several years ago. Now test scores are rising, and the city offers innovative programs for tots to teens. There's Emery Adventure Works, an urban day camp for children kindergarten through third grade, featuring tutoring, games, crafts, music, homework time, drama, music, urban hikes. The Kids in Motion Latchkey Program offers afterschool activities.

One of the few evening programs in the East Bay, Emery Connection Teen Center gives young people in grades 8 through 12 a chance to socialize at theme nights and tournaments.

For more information on Emeryville, go to the Chamber of Commerce online site: www.emeryvillechamber.com. The city's extensive Web site is www.ci.emeryville.ca.us.

Emeryville factoids

- The Ohlone Indians were the first inhabitants of the area and their shellmounds remain today.
- Almost 1 million passengers a year embark or depart from the Emeryville Amtrak Station.
- The city has both a Trader Joe's and a Trader Vic's.
- Wham-O-Toys, maker of the Frisbee and hula hoop, calls Emeryville home.
- W.H. Christie, the town's first mayor, served for almost 40 years.

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http://www.ci.emeryville.ca.us/publicworks/pdf/waisteman.pdf
http://www.wm.com/
[Waste Management of Alameda County]