Guidebook for Oakland
Drinks & Nightlife
DJ music most nights; themed nights including Reggae, Soca and African Beat, right across the street from MUA restaurant, and bar - home of the yummy Ginger Julip cocktail
AU Lounge
2430 BroadwayDJ music most nights; themed nights including Reggae, Soca and African Beat, right across the street from MUA restaurant, and bar - home of the yummy Ginger Julip cocktail
Reggae Gold every Sunday night - kicks off later for the dance all night crowd - show up by 10:15 to avoid long door lines. Reggae & Soca - the DJs can't be beat!
Great outdoor patio is in the style of the French Quarter. It's a bit smoky, but that's the point if you are going outside during this on-point vibe! Two bars and two areas to enjoy the tune.
59 locals recommend
The New Parish
1743 San Pablo AveReggae Gold every Sunday night - kicks off later for the dance all night crowd - show up by 10:15 to avoid long door lines. Reggae & Soca - the DJs can't be beat!
Great outdoor patio is in the style of the French Quarter. It's a bit smoky, but that's the point if you are going outside during this on-point vibe! Two bars and two areas to enjoy the tune.
Close by, kinda divey, but usually a good crowd. Juke box, full bar.
24 locals recommend
Baggy's By the Lake
288 E 18th StClose by, kinda divey, but usually a good crowd. Juke box, full bar.
Oakland's Jazz Supper Club. 2 top tables near the stage or booths for larger parties. A very nice place to see/hear a show. Dance floor too. Check their calendar on line. Sushi restaurant at venue which is located in the heart of Jack London Square.
136 locals recommend
Yoshi's Oakland
510 Embarcadero WestOakland's Jazz Supper Club. 2 top tables near the stage or booths for larger parties. A very nice place to see/hear a show. Dance floor too. Check their calendar on line. Sushi restaurant at venue which is located in the heart of Jack London Square.
Sightseeing
Fantastic marina view, or take the ferry to SF. many great restaurants and bars and events, including the weekly Sunday Farmer's Market (9-2). Home of a super old bar that historically significant author, Jack London, frequented. Rent bikes or kayaks here, or if you are visiting in the summer, enjoy a free movie on the lawn. Too much to list here - google "Jack London Square"
127 locals recommend
Jack London Square station
245 2nd StFantastic marina view, or take the ferry to SF. many great restaurants and bars and events, including the weekly Sunday Farmer's Market (9-2). Home of a super old bar that historically significant author, Jack London, frequented. Rent bikes or kayaks here, or if you are visiting in the summer, enjoy a free movie on the lawn. Too much to list here - google "Jack London Square"
Parks & Nature
One block from my apartment, walk, run or bike the 3.1 miles around the lake; don't miss the gardens (bonsai, botanical, scent, japanese, victory crops) open tuesday-sunday on your stroll. Sailing, boat rides, kayaks are all available. Also home to lake front dining/bar, Lake Chalet. Gandola rides can be booked here as well. The north end of the lake (look for the Pillars) has lots going on, and the south shore features an amphitheatre. The oakland Museum is also near the lake. Don't miss the Cleaveland Stairs for a great workout!
751 locals recommend
Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt BoulevardOne block from my apartment, walk, run or bike the 3.1 miles around the lake; don't miss the gardens (bonsai, botanical, scent, japanese, victory crops) open tuesday-sunday on your stroll. Sailing, boat rides, kayaks are all available. Also home to lake front dining/bar, Lake Chalet. Gandola rides can be booked here as well. The north end of the lake (look for the Pillars) has lots going on, and the south shore features an amphitheatre. The oakland Museum is also near the lake. Don't miss the Cleaveland Stairs for a great workout!
Huge park with lots of trails to explore. Spans a huge area in Oakland and Berkeley. Also features a train and a carosel.
495 locals recommend
Tilden Regional Park
2501 Grizzly Peak BlvdHuge park with lots of trails to explore. Spans a huge area in Oakland and Berkeley. Also features a train and a carosel.
Arts & Culture
Really well done museum with lovely outdoor settings as well as top notch exhibits. Not to be missed is the free Friday night live music 5-9 outdoor (no purchase required-just walk up). Come earlier and enjoy 1/2 off the museum; open until 9:00pm
547 locals recommend
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak StReally well done museum with lovely outdoor settings as well as top notch exhibits. Not to be missed is the free Friday night live music 5-9 outdoor (no purchase required-just walk up). Come earlier and enjoy 1/2 off the museum; open until 9:00pm
Historic iconic theatre; restored and one of the best music venues around. Home of so many great musical performances and cultural events. Check it out their calendar and see a show during your stay.
264 locals recommend
Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph AveHistoric iconic theatre; restored and one of the best music venues around. Home of so many great musical performances and cultural events. Check it out their calendar and see a show during your stay.
Food Scene
Located in historic Jack London Square this spot is great for a drink, a meal and offers outdoor seating options. This spot is a great place to rest your feet, eat something and enjoy the waterfront view - great people-watching spot too. Bar area has a very large TV for sports viewing (sound muted).
Fire pits in the large outdoor dining area, full bar, the best Dark and Stormy I have ever had, (& I have had many in the Islands) featuring house made ginger beer. Not a huge menu, but on point - try the roasted cauliflower pizza with arugula, shaved cheese and a garlic, lemon drizzle! And since you may be on vacation, go for the fried cheese curds as well, they are tasty.
42 locals recommend
Forge Pizza Oakland
66 Franklin StLocated in historic Jack London Square this spot is great for a drink, a meal and offers outdoor seating options. This spot is a great place to rest your feet, eat something and enjoy the waterfront view - great people-watching spot too. Bar area has a very large TV for sports viewing (sound muted).
Fire pits in the large outdoor dining area, full bar, the best Dark and Stormy I have ever had, (& I have had many in the Islands) featuring house made ginger beer. Not a huge menu, but on point - try the roasted cauliflower pizza with arugula, shaved cheese and a garlic, lemon drizzle! And since you may be on vacation, go for the fried cheese curds as well, they are tasty.
Champa Garden
2102 8th AveNeighborhood restaurant - great food, great prices!
Cuban cuisine in a lovely setting. Cana also features Sunday Funday Salsa (my name for it) - live salsa band every Sunday 2-4, followed by a DJ spinning salsa until 9:00 pm - lots of really good dancers show up.
54 locals recommend
CAÑA Cuban Parlor & Cafe
530 Lake Park AveCuban cuisine in a lovely setting. Cana also features Sunday Funday Salsa (my name for it) - live salsa band every Sunday 2-4, followed by a DJ spinning salsa until 9:00 pm - lots of really good dancers show up.
My favorite spot for brunch; expect a wait if you arrive on a sunday after 9:00 am (when they open), but it is worth it. From the fresh juice specialty bellinis to the locally baked bread to the greens served with breakfast; the food and the service is outstanding. Full Bar as well as outdoor seating year round. Spendy, but really good. Breakfast through dinner is served.
117 locals recommend
Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt
576 Grand AveMy favorite spot for brunch; expect a wait if you arrive on a sunday after 9:00 am (when they open), but it is worth it. From the fresh juice specialty bellinis to the locally baked bread to the greens served with breakfast; the food and the service is outstanding. Full Bar as well as outdoor seating year round. Spendy, but really good. Breakfast through dinner is served.
Large micro-beer menu, delicious high-quality food and excellent service. Outdoor patio seating with Lake Merritt views, and outdoor Jenga game in the summer. Live music during warm season on Thursday nights. Tip: try the beet salad and the mini burgers (beef, crispy chicken or quinoa). Weekend brunch includes bottomless mimosa. Walking distance from my home. Portal is on point!
105 locals recommend
Portal Oakland
1611 2nd AveLarge micro-beer menu, delicious high-quality food and excellent service. Outdoor patio seating with Lake Merritt views, and outdoor Jenga game in the summer. Live music during warm season on Thursday nights. Tip: try the beet salad and the mini burgers (beef, crispy chicken or quinoa). Weekend brunch includes bottomless mimosa. Walking distance from my home. Portal is on point!
The Best Jamaican food in Oakland! Nigel and his amazing crew go far beyond the the ever-popular jerk chicken to oxtail, goat and super dope salmon dishes! With a full bar and weekly live music, you will enjoy the vibe, the food and the music. Kingston 11 is located on the corner of Telegraph Avenue and West Grand Avenue, it is at the center of the First Friday event, lots of bars and art galleries and walking distance to all the best in entertainment that Oakland has to offer!
27 locals recommend
Kingston 11 Cuisine
2300 Telegraph AveThe Best Jamaican food in Oakland! Nigel and his amazing crew go far beyond the the ever-popular jerk chicken to oxtail, goat and super dope salmon dishes! With a full bar and weekly live music, you will enjoy the vibe, the food and the music. Kingston 11 is located on the corner of Telegraph Avenue and West Grand Avenue, it is at the center of the First Friday event, lots of bars and art galleries and walking distance to all the best in entertainment that Oakland has to offer!
Shopping
Lakeshore district Local shop - when you need something, or nothing. Fun, functional, unique. You'll find lots of stuff from beautiful locally made jewelry, Oakland, San Francisco and California themed merchandise, fancy, greeting cards, mermaid tails, calendars, bar ware, and so much more. It's not a huge shop, but is well-put together and is a great place to find unique, fun gifts...and free gift wrap - perfect when you are traveling. Don't forget your wife - their scarves and hats are beautiful!
14 locals recommend
Urban Indigo
20405 Lakeshore AveLakeshore district Local shop - when you need something, or nothing. Fun, functional, unique. You'll find lots of stuff from beautiful locally made jewelry, Oakland, San Francisco and California themed merchandise, fancy, greeting cards, mermaid tails, calendars, bar ware, and so much more. It's not a huge shop, but is well-put together and is a great place to find unique, fun gifts...and free gift wrap - perfect when you are traveling. Don't forget your wife - their scarves and hats are beautiful!
Farmers market and so much more...you must go if your visit includes a Saturday stay. From bountiful local farm-grown food to local artists and vendors selling unique wares, to the dining booths to the live music, the market is a cornerstone of the Oakland experience. 9-2 every saturday.
197 locals recommend
Grand Lake Farmers Market
746 Grand AveFarmers market and so much more...you must go if your visit includes a Saturday stay. From bountiful local farm-grown food to local artists and vendors selling unique wares, to the dining booths to the live music, the market is a cornerstone of the Oakland experience. 9-2 every saturday.
In the heart of Oakland's China town in the middle of historic Old Oakland, the market is one of many, many wonderful sites in this area. Check out Swans Food court on non-market days, District Bar for a fancy, expensive cocktail. Market is every Friday 11am-2:00pm. Top notch!
21 locals recommend
Old Oakland Farmer's Market
485 9th StreetIn the heart of Oakland's China town in the middle of historic Old Oakland, the market is one of many, many wonderful sites in this area. Check out Swans Food court on non-market days, District Bar for a fancy, expensive cocktail. Market is every Friday 11am-2:00pm. Top notch!
Essentials
If you like the brand, you'll feel at home. In the heart of the Lakeshore neighborhood/shopping area. CVS and Walgreens drug stores are next door, Peets and Starbucks are within sight, flower shops, drycleaners, bars, restaurants (check out Arizmendi Bakery for the best vegetarian pizza) and the best kept secret - free parking.
582 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveIf you like the brand, you'll feel at home. In the heart of the Lakeshore neighborhood/shopping area. CVS and Walgreens drug stores are next door, Peets and Starbucks are within sight, flower shops, drycleaners, bars, restaurants (check out Arizmendi Bakery for the best vegetarian pizza) and the best kept secret - free parking.
Not the biggest or best CVS in Oakland, but located in the heart of the Lakeshore shopping district, this outlet shares a FREE PARKING lot with Trader Joe's, Peet's Coffee, Colonial Donuts and Walgreens; between Walgreens and CVS, your first aide or health needs will be taken care of. Other secret tip: the FREE PARKING here is good for up to 4 hours and an easy 5 minute walk to the Grand Lake Farmer's market on Saturday. The parking lot is for the entire district so it is not limited to CVS - park here and walk around the Lakeshore District!
17 locals recommend
CVS
3236 Lakeshore AveNot the biggest or best CVS in Oakland, but located in the heart of the Lakeshore shopping district, this outlet shares a FREE PARKING lot with Trader Joe's, Peet's Coffee, Colonial Donuts and Walgreens; between Walgreens and CVS, your first aide or health needs will be taken care of. Other secret tip: the FREE PARKING here is good for up to 4 hours and an easy 5 minute walk to the Grand Lake Farmer's market on Saturday. The parking lot is for the entire district so it is not limited to CVS - park here and walk around the Lakeshore District!