Guidebook for Oakland
Sightseeing
Rockridge Station
5660 College Avetransportation access
Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt BoulevardGreat park with lake. 3 mile loop around the lake
Temescal
Very cool hipster neighborhood close by. Shops, restaurants, bars...
Great neighborhood to walk in for dining, bars, cafes and shopping along Grand Ave & Lakeshore Ave
22 locals recommend
Grand Lake
Great neighborhood to walk in for dining, bars, cafes and shopping along Grand Ave & Lakeshore Ave
Great neighborhood to walk in and for dining bars, cafes and shopping along Piedmont Ave
81 locals recommend
Piedmont Avenue
Great neighborhood to walk in and for dining bars, cafes and shopping along Piedmont Ave
Berkeley Marina
Nice walks and bike riding, fun for families, water sports.
This is our immediate fun neighborhood to walk in, just a few blocks from our house. Great for dining bars, cafes and shopping along Piedmont Ave
19 locals recommend
College Avenue
College AvenueThis is our immediate fun neighborhood to walk in, just a few blocks from our house. Great for dining bars, cafes and shopping along Piedmont Ave
Great area to walk in near UC Berkeley. Street vendors, some have been there since the 60's.
34 locals recommend
Telegraph Avenue
Telegraph AvenueGreat area to walk in near UC Berkeley. Street vendors, some have been there since the 60's.
Great area to walk around on the waterfront. Lots of things to do, restaurants, bars, open air market on Saturdays.
213 locals recommend
Jack London Square
472 Water StGreat area to walk around on the waterfront. Lots of things to do, restaurants, bars, open air market on Saturdays.
Essentials
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveWhole Foods Market
230 Bay PlYasai Produce Market
6301 College AveCute little market close by
Bank of America Financial Center
496 Lake Park Ave
Temescal Farmer's Market
5300 Claremont AveGreat farmer's market on Sundays. Super fun for kids
Great farmer's market on Tuesdays. Fun for kids.
43 locals recommend
South Berkeley (Tuesday) Farmers' Market
63rd StreetGreat farmer's market on Tuesdays. Fun for kids.
Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon StAnother great local grocery. lots of fresh produce.
Safeway
6310 College AveFood Scene
Great Asian fusion restaurant. Great for date night. Couple blocks from the house.
27 locals recommend
Noodle Theory | Rockridge
6099 Claremont AveGreat Asian fusion restaurant. Great for date night. Couple blocks from the house.
Cole Coffee Cafe
307 63rd StThis is our go to local coffee shop, the best.
Amazing food but hard to get a dinner reservation. Get there at 11:30am and you can grab seats at the bar for lunch.
123 locals recommend
Wood Tavern
6317 College AveAmazing food but hard to get a dinner reservation. Get there at 11:30am and you can grab seats at the bar for lunch.
Southie
6311 College AveGreat food and atmosphere
La Farine Boulangerie Patisserie
6323 College AveLovely french bakery
Unbelievable ramen restaurant and bar. The bar is great too. Very Oakland food scene. All local and freshly sourced, menu changes daily. Get there early or have a drink in the bar.
112 locals recommend
Ramen Shop
5812 College AveUnbelievable ramen restaurant and bar. The bar is great too. Very Oakland food scene. All local and freshly sourced, menu changes daily. Get there early or have a drink in the bar.
Gordo Taquería
1423 Solano AveKiller burritos, casual, to go is recommended.
Great Mexican, kid friendly, casual fast. Call in a To Go order, or eat there.
15 locals recommend
La Calaca Loca Taqueria
5199 Telegraph AveGreat Mexican, kid friendly, casual fast. Call in a To Go order, or eat there.
Burma Superstar
309 Clement StA taste explosion in your mouth. This restaurant is my favorite.
Oliveto Cafe - serves informal foods and is open all day. Oliveto Restaurant is fine dining and known for its traditional traditional Italian dishes made from local, seasonal products
48 locals recommend
Oliveto
5655 College AveOliveto Cafe - serves informal foods and is open all day. Oliveto Restaurant is fine dining and known for its traditional traditional Italian dishes made from local, seasonal products
Rockridge Cafe
5492 College AveCool local diner, casual
Sweet thai restaurant, casual, only 1 1/2 blocks from the house. Pick up a To Go order, or dine in.
9 locals recommend
Saysetha Thai
6230 Telegraph AveSweet thai restaurant, casual, only 1 1/2 blocks from the house. Pick up a To Go order, or dine in.
Addis Restaurant
6100 Telegraph AveGood food, friendly service, casual
Great restaurant, outdoor area in the back is great for kids to run around.
237 locals recommend
Pizzaiolo
5008 Telegraph AveGreat restaurant, outdoor area in the back is great for kids to run around.
Simply Greek restaurant
4060 Piedmont AveCasual and delicious
Old Brooklyn Bagels & Deli
6000 College AveNY style bagel sandwhiches and coffee. Casual
Cholita Linda
4923 Telegraph AveKid friendly latino food from many countries. Back patio.
Doña Tomás
3770 Piedmont AvenueUpscale Mexican food, kid friendly patio in back.
365 45th St
365 45th StreetMobile food trucks and family fun
http://www.bitesoffbroadway.com/
Mua Oakland
2442a Webster StHipster bar, new american cuisine, djs
Khana Peena
1889 Solano AveA family owned and operated Indian bistro
Award winning pizza like no other. Over 170 best pizza awards. Nuf said.
247 locals recommend
Zachary's Chicago Pizza
5801 College AveAward winning pizza like no other. Over 170 best pizza awards. Nuf said.
They serve full Japanese lunch and dinner, and welcome your to-go orders. Also kid friendly
23 locals recommend
Takara Sushi
4243 18th StThey serve full Japanese lunch and dinner, and welcome your to-go orders. Also kid friendly
Homeroom has over ten creative kinds of mac + cheeses at time along with veggies, salads, homemade desserts, craft beers, local wines and awesome service. Great for dining or take out.
149 locals recommend
Homeroom
400 40th StHomeroom has over ten creative kinds of mac + cheeses at time along with veggies, salads, homemade desserts, craft beers, local wines and awesome service. Great for dining or take out.
Noah's Bagels
1883 Solano AveBagel deli, casual
Jodie's Restaurant
902 Masonic AveGreat Jewish deli
Tara's Organic Ice Cream
4731 Telegraph Aveice cream
Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers
1600 Shattuck AveGreat burgers and fries, nice outdoor garden patio.
Philz Coffee
3101 24th StHands down best pizza you'll ever have in your life. One pizza per day, also a cheese shop next door. Amazing.
317 locals recommend
The Cheeseboard Pizza
1512 Shattuck AveHands down best pizza you'll ever have in your life. One pizza per day, also a cheese shop next door. Amazing.
A world class culinary experience by renowned chef Alice Waters. Michelin stars. Originated the farm to table movement. All locally grown, fresh and sustainable ingredients. Fixed menu. Reserve in advance. Or eat in the cafe which also has fantastic food.
337 locals recommend
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck AveA world class culinary experience by renowned chef Alice Waters. Michelin stars. Originated the farm to table movement. All locally grown, fresh and sustainable ingredients. Fixed menu. Reserve in advance. Or eat in the cafe which also has fantastic food.
Fantastic new american restaurant & bar, great outdoor seating, brunch, casual during day, upscale at night
17 locals recommend
TOAST Kitchen + Bar
5900 College AvenueFantastic new american restaurant & bar, great outdoor seating, brunch, casual during day, upscale at night
Tibet Himalaya House
1400 Shattuck AveExcellent Nepali and Indian cuisine. The sizzling salmon platter is amazing.
DESCO
499 9th St Very good, very authentic, and very chic little Italian spot.
New Latin American. Great food, great service, great ambience. Amazing view facing the water.
24 locals recommend
Bocanova
New Latin American. Great food, great service, great ambience. Amazing view facing the water.
Mexican, tapas, small plates. Great atmosphere. Good drinks. Brunch is incredible, the bar program is on point and the daily ceviche is crave worthy
22 locals recommend
Tamarindo
468 8th StMexican, tapas, small plates. Great atmosphere. Good drinks. Brunch is incredible, the bar program is on point and the daily ceviche is crave worthy
California cuisine, innovative craft cocktails and wines. Ranges from braised meats and whole-roasted fish to brick-oven pizzas and composed vegetable dishes.
77 locals recommend
Gather
2200 Oxford StCalifornia cuisine, innovative craft cocktails and wines. Ranges from braised meats and whole-roasted fish to brick-oven pizzas and composed vegetable dishes.
Duende
468 19th StAuthentic Spanish cuisine, great drinks and Oakland food scene.
New American, Asian fusion. A go-to place for a nice dinner that won't break the bank. An upscale diner serving seasonally inspired cocktails and regional American food with a Japanese sensibility
53 locals recommend
Hopscotch
1915 San Pablo AveNew American, Asian fusion. A go-to place for a nice dinner that won't break the bank. An upscale diner serving seasonally inspired cocktails and regional American food with a Japanese sensibility
New American, informal scene with great service and stellar food and drinks; a spot to grab a sandwich for lunch, meet with friends for happy hour drinks and snacks, as well as a place to celebrate.
7 locals recommend
Mockingbird
416 13th StNew American, informal scene with great service and stellar food and drinks; a spot to grab a sandwich for lunch, meet with friends for happy hour drinks and snacks, as well as a place to celebrate.
Spanish tapas restaurant and bar, best authentic paella ever. Weekends are pretty booked for dinner.
36 locals recommend
La Marcha Tapas Bar
2026 San Pablo AveSpanish tapas restaurant and bar, best authentic paella ever. Weekends are pretty booked for dinner.
Fantastic dim sum place. Gets very crowded on the weekends but the place is huge. Get there early. Open daily 10-2.
25 locals recommend
East Ocean Seafood Restaurant
1713 Webster StFantastic dim sum place. Gets very crowded on the weekends but the place is huge. Get there early. Open daily 10-2.
Sobo Ramen
988 Franklin StGreat casual ramen place.
Mai Banh Mi
6601 Telegraph AveVietnamese sandwiches, quick and easy
Geta Japanese Restaurant
165 41st StTiny little Japanese place, great sushi.
Osmanthus
6048 College AveAsian fusion, delicious, a few blocks from the house.
Commis
3859 Piedmont AveUpscale modern American. Michelin stars.
Italian and wine bar, also breakfast and brunch. Great tasting menu
52 locals recommend
Bellanico Restaurant and Wine Bar
4238 Park BlvdItalian and wine bar, also breakfast and brunch. Great tasting menu
Xyclo Restaurant
4218 Piedmont AveExcellent modern Vietnamese cuisine.
Fine dining surf and turf. Amazing seafood and brunch on Sunday. Jack London Square is a fun area to walk around.
15 locals recommend
Scott's Seafood Grill & Bar
2 BroadwayFine dining surf and turf. Amazing seafood and brunch on Sunday. Jack London Square is a fun area to walk around.
Great food, bar, beer garden and entertainment concept. Located in Jack London Square, overlooking the waterfront. Huge outdoor patio, beer garden, bacchi ball, bowling lanes, arcade. Fun for adults who want to party or enjoy the Oakland scene, but also appropriate for kids.
68 locals recommend
Plank
98 BroadwayGreat food, bar, beer garden and entertainment concept. Located in Jack London Square, overlooking the waterfront. Huge outdoor patio, beer garden, bacchi ball, bowling lanes, arcade. Fun for adults who want to party or enjoy the Oakland scene, but also appropriate for kids.
Parks & Nature
Colby Park
422 61st StSweet park just 2 blocks away. Great for kiddos.
Rockridge-Temescal Greenbelt
5500 Claremont AveFabulous park for kids just a short walk
Lake Temescal
Lovely forested park with a lake
Great park for kids with tons of donated toys trucks 'n stuff to play around with.
13 locals recommend
Virginia-McGee Totland
1644 Virginia StGreat park for kids with tons of donated toys trucks 'n stuff to play around with.
Great homegrown playground for kids who like to build and climb on stuff
23 locals recommend
Adventure Playground
160 University AveGreat homegrown playground for kids who like to build and climb on stuff
Awesome park in Berkeley with tons of stuff to do for families. Beaches, forest, shoreline walks, Pier, playground, nearby eateries etc..Spend a whole day here.
Shorebird Park Nature Center
160 University AveAwesome park in Berkeley with tons of stuff to do for families. Beaches, forest, shoreline walks, Pier, playground, nearby eateries etc..Spend a whole day here.
The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands and trails. The system comprises 114,000+ acres in 65 parks. Adventures for adults and families. http://www.ebparks.org
East Bay Regional Park District Main Office
2950 Peralta Oaks CourtThe East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands and trails. The system comprises 114,000+ acres in 65 parks. Adventures for adults and families. http://www.ebparks.org
Great local park. Lots of things to do for the whole family. http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/opr/s/Parks/JoaquinMiller/
214 locals recommend
Joaquin Miller Park
3300 Joaquin Miller RdGreat local park. Lots of things to do for the whole family. http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/opr/s/Parks/JoaquinMiller/
Lake Anza
Great swimming beach, also hiking and big grassy areas
Great local park. Hike in the Redwoods. Lots of things to do for the whole family.
373 locals recommend
Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood RoadGreat local park. Hike in the Redwoods. Lots of things to do for the whole family.
Shopping
Lovely markets and restaurants, deli style eats, bakery, cheese shop, pasta shop, boutique grocer
64 locals recommend
Rockridge Market Hall
5655 College Ave Lovely markets and restaurants, deli style eats, bakery, cheese shop, pasta shop, boutique grocer
Fourth Street
Fourth StreetGreat shopping in Berkeley
Emeryville
Tons of shopping in Emeryville. Big box stores here as well
Bay Street
Bay StreetGreat shops here in this outdoor promenade.
Powell Street Plaza
5701-5795 Christie AveShopping
Drinks & Nightlife
Ben 'N Nick's Bar & Grill
5612 College AveGood pub, lively atmosphere, pub food
Super cool Oakland scene. Huge outdoor patio area. Fun to hang out for hours and drink beer, wine and people watch. Great food too. Kid friendly on the early side but definitely a fun adult hang out. Get there early if you want to sit outside, it gets crowded.
165 locals recommend
Drake's Dealership
2325 BroadwaySuper cool Oakland scene. Huge outdoor patio area. Fun to hang out for hours and drink beer, wine and people watch. Great food too. Kid friendly on the early side but definitely a fun adult hang out. Get there early if you want to sit outside, it gets crowded.
Trappist Provisions
6309 College Ave Specialty beer cafe and bottle shop
Dive bar, been around forever, popular with Berkeley students and locals in general. Can walk to it from our house.
18 locals recommend
The Graduate
6202 Claremont AveDive bar, been around forever, popular with Berkeley students and locals in general. Can walk to it from our house.
Dive bar. A great place to relax and have a drink and chill with the jukebox and people playing pool.
George & Walt's
5445 College AveDive bar. A great place to relax and have a drink and chill with the jukebox and people playing pool.
McNally's Irish Pub
5352 College AveIrish pub food, drinks, bumper pool. Good local pub.
Promoting public awareness and understanding of traditional music—music that is rooted in and expressive of the great variety of regional, ethnic, and social cultures of peoples throughout the world.
87 locals recommend
Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse
2020 Addison StPromoting public awareness and understanding of traditional music—music that is rooted in and expressive of the great variety of regional, ethnic, and social cultures of peoples throughout the world.
Cafe Van Kleef
1621 Telegraph AveGreat bar and hipster nightlife spot. Oakland scene
Has a piano and people pass the mic for a kind of karaoke, older crowd.
60 locals recommend
The Alley | Piano Bar & Restaurant
3325 Grand AveHas a piano and people pass the mic for a kind of karaoke, older crowd.
The environment is great, bartenders are friendly and make delicious stiff drinks, and there is shuffleboard and bocce ball!
79 locals recommend
Make Westing
1741 Telegraph AveThe environment is great, bartenders are friendly and make delicious stiff drinks, and there is shuffleboard and bocce ball!
Dogwood
1644 Telegraph AveFun hoppin bar
Spice Monkey Restaurant & Bar
1628 Webster StComedy shows on weekends
The Washington Inn Hotel
495 10th StComedy shows on weekends
Sister
3308 Grand AveItalian and music on weekends
Penrose
3311 Grand AveBar, modern American cuisine, seafood, live music on saturdays
The New Parish
1743 San Pablo AveShows, music, comedy
Arts & Culture
Rialto Cinemas Elmwood
2966 College AveOakland Public Library: Rockridge Branch
5366 College AveClaremont Branch Library
2940 Benvenue AveBeautiful old cinema near Lake Merritt and the popular Grand Lake neighborhood. Make it a night of dinner and a movie.
382 locals recommend
Grand Lake Theater
3200 Grand AveBeautiful old cinema near Lake Merritt and the popular Grand Lake neighborhood. Make it a night of dinner and a movie.
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
2025 Addison StGreat cinema with food service and comfy couches and chairs to lounge in while you eat and watch your movie.
156 locals recommend
The New Parkway Theater
474 24th StGreat cinema with food service and comfy couches and chairs to lounge in while you eat and watch your movie.
Chabot Space And Science Center station
Centennial Drive:Lawrence Hall of Science station
Amazing, state of the art Science museum right in Golden Gate Park. A scientific and educational institution made to explore and sustain life on Earth.
816 locals recommend
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse DrAmazing, state of the art Science museum right in Golden Gate Park. A scientific and educational institution made to explore and sustain life on Earth.