Guidebook for Oakland
Food Scene
You can ask for butter and jam if you eat your pastry at the large table. Coffee is delicious and unpretentious and pastries are delectable. Also best sourdough baguettes or olive or walnut bread around.
57 locals recommend
La Farine Boulangerie Patisserie
6323 College AveYou can ask for butter and jam if you eat your pastry at the large table. Coffee is delicious and unpretentious and pastries are delectable. Also best sourdough baguettes or olive or walnut bread around.
The neighborhood scene. Grab a paper, a cup of Sumatra or the house blend and some poached eggs. There's your Saturday. Secret is to go to the smaller coffee shop/beanery on 63rd Street instead of the larger one on College (there are two separate parts to this iconic shop!)
61 locals recommend
Cole Coffee Cafe
307 63rd StThe neighborhood scene. Grab a paper, a cup of Sumatra or the house blend and some poached eggs. There's your Saturday. Secret is to go to the smaller coffee shop/beanery on 63rd Street instead of the larger one on College (there are two separate parts to this iconic shop!)
Ramen! Gets crazy busy and you cannot make a reservation but great people watching/date spot if you're up for a wait or great family spot if you go early.
112 locals recommend
Ramen Shop
5812 College AveRamen! Gets crazy busy and you cannot make a reservation but great people watching/date spot if you're up for a wait or great family spot if you go early.
Local and reliable sushi spot that we frequent on weeknights. Not too expensive and very good but not necessarily the best sushi ever just a great neighborhood spot.
7 locals recommend
Mitama
3201 College AveLocal and reliable sushi spot that we frequent on weeknights. Not too expensive and very good but not necessarily the best sushi ever just a great neighborhood spot.
Rick & Ann's Restaurant
2922 Domingo AveBRUNCH!
Oakland DMV
5300 Claremont AveFarmer's market at the DMV every Sunday 10-2
Doña Tomás
3770 Piedmont AvenueHappy Hour margaritas and amazing carnitas nachos.
La Farine Boulangerie Patisserie
6323 College AveDrinks & Nightlife
The local dive. Can be full of college students on a Fri or Sat night but if you go early or on a non-weekend night you will find an awesome jukebox, cheap drinks, interesting company and free popcorn.
18 locals recommend
The Graduate
6202 Claremont AveThe local dive. Can be full of college students on a Fri or Sat night but if you go early or on a non-weekend night you will find an awesome jukebox, cheap drinks, interesting company and free popcorn.
Can you select all of the above? Breweries, bars, dancing, galleries, restaurants, performance art, karaoke, music venues etc
45 locals recommend
Uptown
Can you select all of the above? Breweries, bars, dancing, galleries, restaurants, performance art, karaoke, music venues etc
Parks & Nature
An intense hill workout and stunning views from the top!
35 locals recommend
Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve
An intense hill workout and stunning views from the top!
Steam Train for kiddos, golf course for whomever, and tons of amazing hiking for you and fido!
495 locals recommend
Tilden Regional Park
2501 Grizzly Peak BlvdSteam Train for kiddos, golf course for whomever, and tons of amazing hiking for you and fido!
Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt BoulevardGreat walk/run around the lake. Exactly 5K around
Arts & Culture
Film archives, the Greek Theatre, the new museum, lectures, etc. etc.
427 locals recommend
University of California, Berkeley
Oxford StreetFilm archives, the Greek Theatre, the new museum, lectures, etc. etc.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd St
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrMy favorite museum nestled in GG Park
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse DrEssentials
Small and a bit expensive but very convenient and has a lot of speciality items.
21 locals recommend
Yasai Produce Market
6301 College AveSmall and a bit expensive but very convenient and has a lot of speciality items.
Produce heaven, bulk food heaven, budget friendly, vegetarian friendly and decent prepared foods.
419 locals recommend
Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon StProduce heaven, bulk food heaven, budget friendly, vegetarian friendly and decent prepared foods.
Sort of an indoor French marketplace- cheese shop, meat shop, wine, AMAZING prepared foods, bakery and Highwire Coffee which is my favorite weekend spot.
51 locals recommend
Market Hall Produce
5655 College AveSort of an indoor French marketplace- cheese shop, meat shop, wine, AMAZING prepared foods, bakery and Highwire Coffee which is my favorite weekend spot.
Safeway
6310 College AveLarge grocery store open 24/7
Getting Around
Ferry to SF from Jack London Square in Oakland. A great way to get on the water and the Ferry Building is on the other side with all kinds of great food and shopping
73 locals recommend
San Francisco Bay Ferry station
10 Clay StFerry to SF from Jack London Square in Oakland. A great way to get on the water and the Ferry Building is on the other side with all kinds of great food and shopping
Shopping
Ferry Building
1 The EmbarcaderoFourth Street
Fourth StreetA fun shopping district
Rockridge Market Hall
5655 College Ave