alameda terminal (a.k.a. alameda wharf) was a railroad station and ferry wharf at the foot and west of present-day pacific avenue and main street in alameda, california, on the eastern shore of san francisco bay with ferry service to san francisco. it was built in 1864 and operated by the san francisco and alameda railroad. in 1869, it served as the original west coast terminus of the u.s. first transcontinental railroad, until the opening of oakland pier two months later. the western terminus was inaugurated september 6, 1869, when the first western pacific through train from sacramento reached the shores of san francisco bay at alameda terminal, thus completing the first transcontinental railroad to the pacific coast.