Guidebook for Oakland
Food Scene
Hidden neighborhood Thai spot debated as the best in Oakland. Wait can sometimes get long 7-8:30pm timeframe. Call to ask what the wait is and if it's too long just walk the block to put your name on the list and wait at home, or get it to-go.
70 íbúar mæla með
Champa Garden
2102 8th AveHidden neighborhood Thai spot debated as the best in Oakland. Wait can sometimes get long 7-8:30pm timeframe. Call to ask what the wait is and if it's too long just walk the block to put your name on the list and wait at home, or get it to-go.
This is a great coffeeshop only 2 blocks away. Their food and coffee is good, they have beer on draft and their pistachio and rose ice cream is amazing.
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Rooz Cafe
1918 Park BlvdThis is a great coffeeshop only 2 blocks away. Their food and coffee is good, they have beer on draft and their pistachio and rose ice cream is amazing.
Haddon Hill Cafe
504 Wesley AveThis is another neighborhood cafe off the beaten path.
This is a beloved bakery as it is worker-owned and run and has phenomenal food. They have one pizza of the day which is always good and you'll find it packed.
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Arizmendi Bakery
3265 Lakeshore AveThis is a beloved bakery as it is worker-owned and run and has phenomenal food. They have one pizza of the day which is always good and you'll find it packed.
Parks & Nature
Lake Merritt is the center of Oakland. Walk or run, walk your dog, check out the birds and nature. On weekends there is always live culture and art happening around the lake and it's a good way to get to know Oakland better. I can let you know what's happening based on your dates.
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Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt BoulevardLake Merritt is the center of Oakland. Walk or run, walk your dog, check out the birds and nature. On weekends there is always live culture and art happening around the lake and it's a good way to get to know Oakland better. I can let you know what's happening based on your dates.
This is a locally known favorite beach. Reason why is because it's actually one of the cleanest beaches on the West Coast and it is actually warm enough to swim due to how shallow the water is and it's in a harbor. Parking is easy right in front of the beach so no long hikes, there's a great trail the whole length of the beach and it's only 12 minutes away so you can pop over just to catch the sunset.
The backstory is that when the oil spill happened in the Bay in 1971, Alameda invested in new technology which ended up working better than expected and now gets cleaner every year.
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Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach
Otis DriveThis is a locally known favorite beach. Reason why is because it's actually one of the cleanest beaches on the West Coast and it is actually warm enough to swim due to how shallow the water is and it's in a harbor. Parking is easy right in front of the beach so no long hikes, there's a great trail the whole length of the beach and it's only 12 minutes away so you can pop over just to catch the sunset.
The backstory is that when the oil spill happened in the Bay in 1971, Alameda invested in new technology which ended up working better than expected and now gets cleaner every year.
Shopping
Every Saturday 9am-2pm this farmer's market continuously is cited as people's favorite. I can't recommend it enough. From the market you can also walk up Lakeshore or Grand for the best walking/shopping area in Oakland.
https://splashpad.org/farmers-market/
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Grand Lake Farmers Market
746 Grand AveEvery Saturday 9am-2pm this farmer's market continuously is cited as people's favorite. I can't recommend it enough. From the market you can also walk up Lakeshore or Grand for the best walking/shopping area in Oakland.
https://splashpad.org/farmers-market/
This is a shopping district with beloved restaurants, wine shops, a great bookstore, local bars, community-based acupuncture and even a Safeway.
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Grand Avenue
Grand AvenueThis is a shopping district with beloved restaurants, wine shops, a great bookstore, local bars, community-based acupuncture and even a Safeway.
Good Vibrations is one of the businesses which pushed forwards the positive-sex movement in the U.S. and pride themselves on a store in which everyone feels comfortable and supported to find and learn what they need.
Good Vibrations Oakland
3219 Lakeshore AveGood Vibrations is one of the businesses which pushed forwards the positive-sex movement in the U.S. and pride themselves on a store in which everyone feels comfortable and supported to find and learn what they need.
LakeShore is another good walking strip for shops, coffee shops, and Oakland culture.
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Lakeshore Avenue
Lakeshore AvenueLakeShore is another good walking strip for shops, coffee shops, and Oakland culture.
Essentials
Woody's is an old local favorite and it's only 2 blocks away. There is also Woody's Cafe next door to hang out at while doing your laundry. Also a good local spot.
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Woody's Cafe
1841 Park BlvdWoody's is an old local favorite and it's only 2 blocks away. There is also Woody's Cafe next door to hang out at while doing your laundry. Also a good local spot.
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveYour block's convenience store run by good people.
Hours are Mon-Thu 11am-9:30pm
Fri & Sat 11am-10pm
Sun 12-9:30pm
Wah Fay Liquors
2101 8th AveYour block's convenience store run by good people.
Hours are Mon-Thu 11am-9:30pm
Fri & Sat 11am-10pm
Sun 12-9:30pm
Arts & Culture
OMCA is right next to the Lake Merritt BART station and only 20 minute walk away. They always have excellent exhibits and are an active part of Oakland community. Every Friday night 5-10pm there is a free event "Friday Nights @OMCA" in which they consistently have some of the Bay's best bands, performers, dancers, . . . with a dance floor, outside amphitheater, half price museum entry, a LOT of food trucks and cash bar. Definitely worth checking out to get an experience of Oakland.
Through August 12th check out the "Respect: Hip-Hop Style & Wisdom" exhibit which is garnering a lot of international attention via it's groundbreaking west Coast history.
http://museumca.org/friday-nights-omca
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Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak StOMCA is right next to the Lake Merritt BART station and only 20 minute walk away. They always have excellent exhibits and are an active part of Oakland community. Every Friday night 5-10pm there is a free event "Friday Nights @OMCA" in which they consistently have some of the Bay's best bands, performers, dancers, . . . with a dance floor, outside amphitheater, half price museum entry, a LOT of food trucks and cash bar. Definitely worth checking out to get an experience of Oakland.
Through August 12th check out the "Respect: Hip-Hop Style & Wisdom" exhibit which is garnering a lot of international attention via it's groundbreaking west Coast history.
http://museumca.org/friday-nights-omca
Walking through First Fridays can give you a real sense of Oakland youth culture, art scene, the creativity bursting out of its seams that is the culture of Oakland, foodie and nightlife scene, djs, live bands and marching bands on every block, local vendors, food trucks, . . .
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First Fridays
2633 Telegraph AveWalking through First Fridays can give you a real sense of Oakland youth culture, art scene, the creativity bursting out of its seams that is the culture of Oakland, foodie and nightlife scene, djs, live bands and marching bands on every block, local vendors, food trucks, . . .
Entertainment & Activities
This is a historic theatre showcasing Oakland culture, arts, community, new releases and more. Their historic sign over the lake is iconic.
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Grand Lake Theater
3200 Grand AveThis is a historic theatre showcasing Oakland culture, arts, community, new releases and more. Their historic sign over the lake is iconic.
This is a famous and historic amusement park for kids but Oakland style, community-centered not corporate.
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Barnanna Fairyland
699 Bellevue AveThis is a famous and historic amusement park for kids but Oakland style, community-centered not corporate.