Guidebook for Oakland

Joanna
Guidebook for Oakland

Food Scene

Favorite date night dinner for my husband and me. Reserve ahead for indoor table but show up 5ish to get a walk up outdoor spot. Tasty but modest portions. Check website because they are closed 3 days a week.
Bombera
Favorite date night dinner for my husband and me. Reserve ahead for indoor table but show up 5ish to get a walk up outdoor spot. Tasty but modest portions. Check website because they are closed 3 days a week.
Roll out of bed and down the hill for a sticky bun or red flannel hash. Delicious breakfast/brunch. Pricey but a nice treat. Expect to wait for a table.
101 helybéli ajánlásával
Sequoia Diner
3719 MacArthur Blvd
101 helybéli ajánlásával
Roll out of bed and down the hill for a sticky bun or red flannel hash. Delicious breakfast/brunch. Pricey but a nice treat. Expect to wait for a table.
Fanciest restaurant in the neighborhood but many rave about it. Surprise patio in back.
Jo's Modern Thai
Fanciest restaurant in the neighborhood but many rave about it. Surprise patio in back.
Delicious Cambodian dishes, very reasonable prices. The food is similar to Thai food, great flavors!
51 helybéli ajánlásával
Phnom Penh
3912 MacArthur Boulevard
51 helybéli ajánlásával
Delicious Cambodian dishes, very reasonable prices. The food is similar to Thai food, great flavors!
Comfort food. Really nice owner and servers.
35 helybéli ajánlásával
Communitē Table
4171 MacArthur Blvd
35 helybéli ajánlásával
Comfort food. Really nice owner and servers.
When we can’t get into Bombera, this is our back up in that neighborhood. Best for brunch in my opinion.
21 helybéli ajánlásával
Grand Lake Kitchen - Dimond
2042 MacArthur Blvd
21 helybéli ajánlásával
When we can’t get into Bombera, this is our back up in that neighborhood. Best for brunch in my opinion.
Nice walk to burgers and beer. They offer impossible patty. All outdoor seating.
Ghost Town Brewing - Laurel
Nice walk to burgers and beer. They offer impossible patty. All outdoor seating.
Nice lattes, breakfast bagel sandwiches. A little grungy inside but independently owned and been here in the Laurel the longest
50 helybéli ajánlásával
World Ground Cafe
3726 MacArthur Blvd
50 helybéli ajánlásával
Nice lattes, breakfast bagel sandwiches. A little grungy inside but independently owned and been here in the Laurel the longest
Haven’t actually been, but many neighbors like it. Food from taco truck next door ?
40 helybéli ajánlásával
Degrees Plato Tap Room Bottle Shop & Kitchen
4251 MacArthur Blvd
40 helybéli ajánlásával
Haven’t actually been, but many neighbors like it. Food from taco truck next door ?
Yeah it's a chain, but sometimes it hits the spot. Earn your pastry walking up the hill, then with your latte, zig zag into the neighborhood on the north side of Redwood Road on your way back to find the creek.
Peet's Coffee
Yeah it's a chain, but sometimes it hits the spot. Earn your pastry walking up the hill, then with your latte, zig zag into the neighborhood on the north side of Redwood Road on your way back to find the creek.
Beloved local ice cream parlor - eat dinner somewhere else on the avenue, but then go for a sundae here.
129 helybéli ajánlásával
Fentons Creamery
4226 Piedmont Ave
129 helybéli ajánlásával
Beloved local ice cream parlor - eat dinner somewhere else on the avenue, but then go for a sundae here.
Very walkable, human-scale part of the city. If you go all the way to the top, you can enjoy peace and quiet in the rolling hills of the cemetery.
Piedmont Avenue
Very walkable, human-scale part of the city. If you go all the way to the top, you can enjoy peace and quiet in the rolling hills of the cemetery.

Essentials

Nice quality produce, family-owned local store with great selection of natural foods.
230 helybéli ajánlásával
Farmer Joe's Marketplace
3501 MacArthur Blvd
230 helybéli ajánlásával
Nice quality produce, family-owned local store with great selection of natural foods.
Very health conscious, all natural foods - bulk items, great service and source for special dietary needs.
26 helybéli ajánlásával
The Food Mill
3033 MacArthur Blvd
26 helybéli ajánlásával
Very health conscious, all natural foods - bulk items, great service and source for special dietary needs.
Big, standard grocery store, open long hours. Nice staff at this location.
Safeway
Big, standard grocery store, open long hours. Nice staff at this location.

Entertainment & Activities

AKA "Jordan Park" = our go-to neighborhood playground. There's a big grass field, sand, play structures, swings...
Avenue Terrace Playground
3380 Jordan Rd
AKA "Jordan Park" = our go-to neighborhood playground. There's a big grass field, sand, play structures, swings...
Grass, play structure, school yard adjacent is often open, too. Some free outdoor movies in this park at dusk in summer months.
Redwood Heights Recreation Center
3883 Aliso Ave
Grass, play structure, school yard adjacent is often open, too. Some free outdoor movies in this park at dusk in summer months.
Saturday mornings, great food, great people watching, live music, even a playground right across the way toward Lake Merritt.
197 helybéli ajánlásával
Grand Lake Farmers Market
746 Grand Ave
197 helybéli ajánlásával
Saturday mornings, great food, great people watching, live music, even a playground right across the way toward Lake Merritt.
A swimming pool surrounded by redwoods, right by great picnic area and playground, several trails in the shade start at the parking lot (fee$) are great on a hot day.
9 helybéli ajánlásával
Roberts Pool
10570 Skyline Blvd
9 helybéli ajánlásával
A swimming pool surrounded by redwoods, right by great picnic area and playground, several trails in the shade start at the parking lot (fee$) are great on a hot day.
Public swimming pool within a nice park that has tennis courts, climbing structures, trail along creek to explore.
13 helybéli ajánlásával
Lions Pool at Dimond Park
3860 Hanly Rd
13 helybéli ajánlásával
Public swimming pool within a nice park that has tennis courts, climbing structures, trail along creek to explore.
Sweet gardens, puppet shows, little rides, farm animals - ideal to visit with kids up to 10. Entry fee, so take a picnic for best value.
140 helybéli ajánlásával
Gyermekmeseland
699 Bellevue Ave
140 helybéli ajánlásával
Sweet gardens, puppet shows, little rides, farm animals - ideal to visit with kids up to 10. Entry fee, so take a picnic for best value.
Crowd pleaser for kids of all ages - take your own picnic for best value!
163 helybéli ajánlásával
Oakland Állatkert
9777 Golf Links Rd
163 helybéli ajánlásával
Crowd pleaser for kids of all ages - take your own picnic for best value!
Hands-on science exhibits for wide range of ages from toddlers to teens - amazing views of the whole Bay Area from the outdoor terrace.
65 helybéli ajánlásával
Lawrence Hall of Science
65 helybéli ajánlásával
Hands-on science exhibits for wide range of ages from toddlers to teens - amazing views of the whole Bay Area from the outdoor terrace.
For younger children, nice little ride through the woods. Can be fun before or after a hike in Tilden Park.
45 helybéli ajánlásával
Redwood Valley Railway (Tilden Steam Train)
2481 Grizzly Peak Blvd
45 helybéli ajánlásával
For younger children, nice little ride through the woods. Can be fun before or after a hike in Tilden Park.
Near Fairyland, but just a playground by the lake with no entrance fee. Fun stop for the short-legged on a walk around the lake.
Rotary Nature Center
600 Bellevue Ave
Near Fairyland, but just a playground by the lake with no entrance fee. Fun stop for the short-legged on a walk around the lake.
Reservoir with sandy beach for swimming - nice for little ones who just like to splash and wade.
65 helybéli ajánlásával
Lake Temescal
65 helybéli ajánlásával
Reservoir with sandy beach for swimming - nice for little ones who just like to splash and wade.
If you are already in Berkeley, especially near the university, this is a fun side trip for kids. Bring lettuce and celery to feed the animals. Don't miss the merry-go-round just down the road.
23 helybéli ajánlásával
Tilden Természeti Terület
600 Canon Drive
23 helybéli ajánlásával
If you are already in Berkeley, especially near the university, this is a fun side trip for kids. Bring lettuce and celery to feed the animals. Don't miss the merry-go-round just down the road.
If you like planetarium shows and are really interested in space, this is a neat place to visit. Recommended for kids 5 or older. A bit expensive.
122 helybéli ajánlásával
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd
122 helybéli ajánlásával
If you like planetarium shows and are really interested in space, this is a neat place to visit. Recommended for kids 5 or older. A bit expensive.
Our local branch library is good for a rainy day or free shows in the summer on Tuesday eves and Sat mornings. http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/locations/dimond-branch
43 helybéli ajánlásával
Dimond park
3860 Hanly Rd
43 helybéli ajánlásával
Our local branch library is good for a rainy day or free shows in the summer on Tuesday eves and Sat mornings. http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/locations/dimond-branch
Great for a short hike, end at a playground, even a public pool, too. Nice picnicking on the grass under big buckeye trees.
18 helybéli ajánlásával
Dimond Canyon Trail
Dimond Canyon Trail
18 helybéli ajánlásával
Great for a short hike, end at a playground, even a public pool, too. Nice picnicking on the grass under big buckeye trees.
Trails to suit hikers with little or lots of motivation, several trailheads within 5 minute drive.
373 helybéli ajánlásával
Redwood Regionális Park
7867 Redwood Road
373 helybéli ajánlásával
Trails to suit hikers with little or lots of motivation, several trailheads within 5 minute drive.
Unusual and fun for big kids: hands-on, build your own fort with real tools, wood, nails, etc. Kite flying at the marina nearby is also recommended
23 helybéli ajánlásával
Adventure Playground
160 University Ave
23 helybéli ajánlásával
Unusual and fun for big kids: hands-on, build your own fort with real tools, wood, nails, etc. Kite flying at the marina nearby is also recommended
Memorable time with the locals - take a picnic dinner and eat before the show up in Joaquin Miller Park. Take blankets and beanies as the fog often rolls in and the sun goes down. You’ll see families who’ve been coming for decades!
6 helybéli ajánlásával
Woodminster Amphitheater
3540 Sanborn Dr
6 helybéli ajánlásával
Memorable time with the locals - take a picnic dinner and eat before the show up in Joaquin Miller Park. Take blankets and beanies as the fog often rolls in and the sun goes down. You’ll see families who’ve been coming for decades!
Two different playgrounds, picnic area, grassy field, public pool, tennis courts, creek access, surprising trail up into the hills...just up the road from our Dimond branch library on Fruitvale Ave
43 helybéli ajánlásával
Dimond park
3860 Hanly Rd
43 helybéli ajánlásával
Two different playgrounds, picnic area, grassy field, public pool, tennis courts, creek access, surprising trail up into the hills...just up the road from our Dimond branch library on Fruitvale Ave

Shopping

Delicious pastries.
70 helybéli ajánlásával
La Farine
3411 Fruitvale Ave
70 helybéli ajánlásával
Delicious pastries.
Worker-collective-owned bakery with delicious pastries. Pick up a light-bake pizza to bring home for an easy gourmet dinner.
198 helybéli ajánlásával
Arizmendi Bakery
3265 Lakeshore Ave
198 helybéli ajánlásával
Worker-collective-owned bakery with delicious pastries. Pick up a light-bake pizza to bring home for an easy gourmet dinner.
Get your cool souvenirs here.
62 helybéli ajánlásával
Oaklandish
3419 Fruitvale Ave
62 helybéli ajánlásával
Get your cool souvenirs here.

Drinks & Nightlife

For grown ups - if you want to splurge on a drink - fun place to sit out on the lake. Parking is tricky, but make time to take a walk from further around the lake. Catch a gondola ride from here.
136 helybéli ajánlásával
Lake Chalet
1520 Lakeside Dr
136 helybéli ajánlásával
For grown ups - if you want to splurge on a drink - fun place to sit out on the lake. Parking is tricky, but make time to take a walk from further around the lake. Catch a gondola ride from here.

Sightseeing

Great natural sciences gallery about the biomes of CA, CA history gallery, CA art gallery - good for the whole family. Close enough to take a walk around Lake Merritt, too.
547 helybéli ajánlásával
Kaliforniai Oakland Múzeum
1000 Oak St
547 helybéli ajánlásával
Great natural sciences gallery about the biomes of CA, CA history gallery, CA art gallery - good for the whole family. Close enough to take a walk around Lake Merritt, too.
You can catch the ferry in Oakland, but parking is MUCH easier here and just a few minutes further to drive. Check 511.org for schedule.
41 helybéli ajánlásával
Alameda Main Street station
2990 Main St
41 helybéli ajánlásával
You can catch the ferry in Oakland, but parking is MUCH easier here and just a few minutes further to drive. Check 511.org for schedule.
If you don't feel like a long drive to the Pacific, this is a great place for little waders to make sandcastles on the bay. A visitors center at the northwest end. Parasailing gear for rent, too.
106 helybéli ajánlásával
Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach
Otis Drive
106 helybéli ajánlásával
If you don't feel like a long drive to the Pacific, this is a great place for little waders to make sandcastles on the bay. A visitors center at the northwest end. Parasailing gear for rent, too.

Arts & Culture

Dancing Under The Stars - free dance lesson/ dance party Friday nights June thru Aug starting at 8:30 p.m. Also, Waterfront Flicks are free outdoor movies 2nd and 4th Thursdays at sundown.
213 helybéli ajánlásával
Jack London Square
472 Water St
213 helybéli ajánlásával
Dancing Under The Stars - free dance lesson/ dance party Friday nights June thru Aug starting at 8:30 p.m. Also, Waterfront Flicks are free outdoor movies 2nd and 4th Thursdays at sundown.
Great live music venue. Lots of restaurants in walking distance. Recommend using a ride share for this destination.
264 helybéli ajánlásával
Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph Ave
264 helybéli ajánlásával
Great live music venue. Lots of restaurants in walking distance. Recommend using a ride share for this destination.
Movie theater in great walking neighborhood - close to lots of choices for cheap or fancy eats.
382 helybéli ajánlásával
Grand Lake Theater
3200 Grand Ave
382 helybéli ajánlásával
Movie theater in great walking neighborhood - close to lots of choices for cheap or fancy eats.