Guidebook for Oakland

Jesse
Guidebook for Oakland

Food Scene

"The Crazy Skeleton" has great decor, yummy fish burritos, and a great rotating selection of agua fresca
15 localnici recomandă
La Calaca Loca Taqueria
5199 Telegraph Ave
15 localnici recomandă
"The Crazy Skeleton" has great decor, yummy fish burritos, and a great rotating selection of agua fresca
Good coffee and work space
43 localnici recomandă
Arbor Cafe
4210 Telegraph Avenue
43 localnici recomandă
Good coffee and work space
Best tacos in the East Bay
173 localnici recomandă
Cholita Linda
4923 Telegraph Ave
173 localnici recomandă
Best tacos in the East Bay
Kaia's from the South originally. This is where she goes to get authentic grits. Yum!
52 localnici recomandă
Lois the Pie Queen
851 60th St
52 localnici recomandă
Kaia's from the South originally. This is where she goes to get authentic grits. Yum!
Worth braving the line. Get a tea leaf salad - it's amazing!
458 localnici recomandă
Burma Superstar
309 Clement St
458 localnici recomandă
Worth braving the line. Get a tea leaf salad - it's amazing!
Very tiny BBQ place with amazing owners. Like being invited to someone's home for dinner.
11 localnici recomandă
Brick Pig's House
5973 Shattuck Avenue
11 localnici recomandă
Very tiny BBQ place with amazing owners. Like being invited to someone's home for dinner.
Limited hours and a limited menu - just fried chicken and cookies. But they're excellent at what they do!
196 localnici recomandă
Bakesale Betty
5098 Telegraph Ave
196 localnici recomandă
Limited hours and a limited menu - just fried chicken and cookies. But they're excellent at what they do!
We often work here during the day - it's great food and coffee, in a very work-positive atmosphere
Lindgren's Coffee & Cafe
2120 Dwight Way
We often work here during the day - it's great food and coffee, in a very work-positive atmosphere
Pinball, pints (of decent beer), and pizza! You can't go wrong
8 localnici recomandă
Five 10 Pizza
400 15th St
8 localnici recomandă
Pinball, pints (of decent beer), and pizza! You can't go wrong
Delicious, authentic Ethiopian. Try the kitfo and the veggie combo.
15 localnici recomandă
Addis Restaurant
6100 Telegraph Ave
15 localnici recomandă
Delicious, authentic Ethiopian. Try the kitfo and the veggie combo.
The beans are good, but the New Orleans style chicory coffee is sinfully great.
173 localnici recomandă
Blue Bottle Coffee
300 Webster St
173 localnici recomandă
The beans are good, but the New Orleans style chicory coffee is sinfully great.
Good food and drink. Laptop-free on the weekends.
57 localnici recomandă
Actual Cafe
6334 San Pablo Avenue
57 localnici recomandă
Good food and drink. Laptop-free on the weekends.
Another locally famous brunch spot. The lines are worth it! They're famous for fried chicken and waffles, but everything else on the menu is good too. Bonus: it's all gluten-free.
13 localnici recomandă
Grease Box
942 Stanford Avenue
13 localnici recomandă
Another locally famous brunch spot. The lines are worth it! They're famous for fried chicken and waffles, but everything else on the menu is good too. Bonus: it's all gluten-free.
The closest good coffee to our house. Try anything with their bacon jam.
16 localnici recomandă
Earthly Coffee and Tea
5506 Martin Luther King Jr Way
16 localnici recomandă
The closest good coffee to our house. Try anything with their bacon jam.
Best East Bay tamales! Cash only.
12 localnici recomandă
Tamales Unicos de Cuernavaca
5751 Market St
12 localnici recomandă
Best East Bay tamales! Cash only.
Trendy wood-fired pizza place with a seasonal menu. Food Network rates it Top 10 Pizza in America - we personally aren't quite that enthusiastic, but you can get a good slice here
237 localnici recomandă
Pizzaiolo
5008 Telegraph Ave
237 localnici recomandă
Trendy wood-fired pizza place with a seasonal menu. Food Network rates it Top 10 Pizza in America - we personally aren't quite that enthusiastic, but you can get a good slice here
Great coffee, great to work at
18 localnici recomandă
Farley's on 65th
1195 65th St
18 localnici recomandă
Great coffee, great to work at
Our favorite ice cream in SF. If there's a line for cones, go inside anyway: pints and ice cream sandwiches are sold from a separate and much shorter line.
476 localnici recomandă
Bi-Rite Creamery
3692 18th St
476 localnici recomandă
Our favorite ice cream in SF. If there's a line for cones, go inside anyway: pints and ice cream sandwiches are sold from a separate and much shorter line.
It's a bit of a hike, but this is a great cafe to work from and actually get things done
Black Diamond Cafe
6399 Christie Ave
It's a bit of a hike, but this is a great cafe to work from and actually get things done
The best source for a huge range of gluten-free sweet and savory baked goods. Mariposa also serves breakfast and lunch.
34 localnici recomandă
Mariposa Baking Company
5427 Telegraph Ave
34 localnici recomandă
The best source for a huge range of gluten-free sweet and savory baked goods. Mariposa also serves breakfast and lunch.
Higher-end Mexican food, plus an extensive bar. Long waits for brunch; you're better off at dinner.
74 localnici recomandă
Doña Tomás
3770 Piedmont Avenue
74 localnici recomandă
Higher-end Mexican food, plus an extensive bar. Long waits for brunch; you're better off at dinner.
The best deep-dish pizza in Oakland. Don't be dissuaded by the line; they turn-over quickly.
247 localnici recomandă
Zachary's Chicago Pizza
5801 College Ave
247 localnici recomandă
The best deep-dish pizza in Oakland. Don't be dissuaded by the line; they turn-over quickly.

Entertainment & Activities

Ten acres of beautiful park
7 localnici recomandă
Bushrod Park
560 59th St
7 localnici recomandă
Ten acres of beautiful park
Park with storybook-themed rides, plays, and attractions. A big hit with younger children.
140 localnici recomandă
Fairyland al Copiilor
699 Bellevue Ave
140 localnici recomandă
Park with storybook-themed rides, plays, and attractions. A big hit with younger children.
Small park that's home to a community garden managed by Phat Beets, and thus also home to many urban gardening, foraging, and food related events and classes
11 localnici recomandă
Dover Park
5707 Dover St
11 localnici recomandă
Small park that's home to a community garden managed by Phat Beets, and thus also home to many urban gardening, foraging, and food related events and classes
This half of the park is super kid-friendly, with a recently renovated playground
107 localnici recomandă
Helen Diller Playground
107 localnici recomandă
This half of the park is super kid-friendly, with a recently renovated playground
Great playground with many structures for toddlers and big kids too
23 localnici recomandă
Rockridge-Temescal Greenbelt
5500 Claremont Ave
23 localnici recomandă
Great playground with many structures for toddlers and big kids too

Shopping

Adorable quirky little shops.
65 localnici recomandă
Temescal Alley
Temescal Alley
65 localnici recomandă
Adorable quirky little shops.
Great selection of cheeses - and their sandwiches prove it's worth paying for something as simple as grilled cheese.
17 localnici recomandă
Sacred Wheel
17 localnici recomandă
Great selection of cheeses - and their sandwiches prove it's worth paying for something as simple as grilled cheese.
A treasure trove of random. Did you need a dozen leather gogo boots? A bagfull of wine corks? Vintage linens? It's all here at reasonable prices.
22 localnici recomandă
East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse
4695 Telegraph Ave
22 localnici recomandă
A treasure trove of random. Did you need a dozen leather gogo boots? A bagfull of wine corks? Vintage linens? It's all here at reasonable prices.
Treasure trove of curiosities: fossils, bones, minerals, exotic plants, and some creative taxidermy. Take a selfie with the unicorn!
133 localnici recomandă
Paxton Gate
824 Valencia St
133 localnici recomandă
Treasure trove of curiosities: fossils, bones, minerals, exotic plants, and some creative taxidermy. Take a selfie with the unicorn!
The closest local yarn store, and a nice one at that.
A Verb for Keeping Warm
6328 San Pablo Ave
The closest local yarn store, and a nice one at that.
A darling collection of high-end shops, affordable artisan stalls, and (most days) a farmer's market. Or, come here to catch a ferry into Sausalito.
679 localnici recomandă
Ferry Building Marketplace
679 localnici recomandă
A darling collection of high-end shops, affordable artisan stalls, and (most days) a farmer's market. Or, come here to catch a ferry into Sausalito.
Vintage clothing that is somehow always in fab condition and reasonably priced. Great accessories too (some new/"vintage style"). For men and women.
Pretty Penny
2981 College Ave
Vintage clothing that is somehow always in fab condition and reasonably priced. Great accessories too (some new/"vintage style"). For men and women.
Well-stocked hardware store run in a mom & pop style. Great for last-minute batteries, tape, or other sundries.
Ellis Ace Hardware
5424 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Well-stocked hardware store run in a mom & pop style. Great for last-minute batteries, tape, or other sundries.
The most trusted pirate supply store in California, 826 Valencia's profits support writing programs for children
11 localnici recomandă
The Pirate Store
826 Valencia Street
11 localnici recomandă
The most trusted pirate supply store in California, 826 Valencia's profits support writing programs for children
Well-curated science fiction and fantasy bookstore, with attached cafe
13 localnici recomandă
Borderlands Books
1740 Valencia St
13 localnici recomandă
Well-curated science fiction and fantasy bookstore, with attached cafe
Great fun for shopping! Eighteen shops located in (remodeled) horse stalls. Lots of adorable boutiques, local artists' workshops, an apothecary, and a very yummy fresh doughnut shop.
17 localnici recomandă
Alley 49
Alley 49
17 localnici recomandă
Great fun for shopping! Eighteen shops located in (remodeled) horse stalls. Lots of adorable boutiques, local artists' workshops, an apothecary, and a very yummy fresh doughnut shop.

Sightseeing

For the aviation buff, this is a musn't-miss. Small and low-budget, it still manages to pack an impressive amount of history and some gorgeous old aircraft into the grounds.
11 localnici recomandă
Oakland Aviation Museum
8252 Earhart Rd
11 localnici recomandă
For the aviation buff, this is a musn't-miss. Small and low-budget, it still manages to pack an impressive amount of history and some gorgeous old aircraft into the grounds.
An oasis of sheer wilderness in urban Oakland! Many well-maintained trails of varying difficulty. Pick East Ridge & West Ridge trails for the views, or French & Stream trails for fewer dogs and hikers
373 localnici recomandă
Parcul Regional Redwood
7867 Redwood Road
373 localnici recomandă
An oasis of sheer wilderness in urban Oakland! Many well-maintained trails of varying difficulty. Pick East Ridge & West Ridge trails for the views, or French & Stream trails for fewer dogs and hikers
Hidden gem of San Francisco. Dozens (hundreds?) of vintage coin-operated machines - music players, fortune tellers, games, and more - and almost all of them work with your quarter.
87 localnici recomandă
Musée Mécanique
Fishermans Wharf
87 localnici recomandă
Hidden gem of San Francisco. Dozens (hundreds?) of vintage coin-operated machines - music players, fortune tellers, games, and more - and almost all of them work with your quarter.
Gorgeous way to spend a day surrounded by a wide variety of plants and animals. Go early (or on a weekday) for the earthquake simulator and the butterfly room.
816 localnici recomandă
Academia de Științe din California
55 Music Concourse Dr
816 localnici recomandă
Gorgeous way to spend a day surrounded by a wide variety of plants and animals. Go early (or on a weekday) for the earthquake simulator and the butterfly room.
The non-playground half of the park is covered in picnickers every weekend. Definitely a grown-ups and local character kind of vibe.
1244 localnici recomandă
Mission Dolores Park
19th Street
1244 localnici recomandă
The non-playground half of the park is covered in picnickers every weekend. Definitely a grown-ups and local character kind of vibe.
Gorgeous mosaic spread over 163 stair steps. Lovely way to mix some fitness in with hanging out in a park at the top
84 localnici recomandă
Scările cu plăci de ceramică de pe 16 Avenue
16th Avenue
84 localnici recomandă
Gorgeous mosaic spread over 163 stair steps. Lovely way to mix some fitness in with hanging out in a park at the top
SF's bigger & better version of Central Park :) Don't miss the bison (Western side), boat rentals in Stow Lake, the carousel (kid's playground), or summer of love flashbacks at Hippy Hill
1721 localnici recomandă
Parcul Golden Gate
1721 localnici recomandă
SF's bigger & better version of Central Park :) Don't miss the bison (Western side), boat rentals in Stow Lake, the carousel (kid's playground), or summer of love flashbacks at Hippy Hill
Absolutely beautiful
348 localnici recomandă
Grădina de ceai japoneză
75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr
348 localnici recomandă
Absolutely beautiful
The ruins of a recreation complex built in 1896. Must-see for fans of urban exploration. Wear closed-toe shoes.
246 localnici recomandă
Sutro Baths
1004 Point Lobos Ave
246 localnici recomandă
The ruins of a recreation complex built in 1896. Must-see for fans of urban exploration. Wear closed-toe shoes.

Essentials

The most amazing selection of produce I have ever seen. Worth the trip.
419 localnici recomandă
Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon St
419 localnici recomandă
The most amazing selection of produce I have ever seen. Worth the trip.
The closest Trader Joe's. Great selection of frozen food and snacks.
582 localnici recomandă
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore Ave
582 localnici recomandă
The closest Trader Joe's. Great selection of frozen food and snacks.
The nearest Whole Foods. The usual caveat applies: lots of organic choices, but you'll pay for the privilege.
553 localnici recomandă
Whole Foods Market
230 Bay Pl
553 localnici recomandă
The nearest Whole Foods. The usual caveat applies: lots of organic choices, but you'll pay for the privilege.
European-style market hall with gourmet foods. Amazing pasta selection, fresh bread, all the cheeses, fab deli counter, good butcher selection. Expensive but with free samples :)
64 localnici recomandă
Rockridge Market Hall
5655 College Ave
64 localnici recomandă
European-style market hall with gourmet foods. Amazing pasta selection, fresh bread, all the cheeses, fab deli counter, good butcher selection. Expensive but with free samples :)

Arts & Culture

Beautiful space with excellent acoustics. A typical season has a mix of traditional opera, musical theater, and new operas - check out their website to see what's on.
150 localnici recomandă
San Francisco Opera
301 Van Ness Ave
150 localnici recomandă
Beautiful space with excellent acoustics. A typical season has a mix of traditional opera, musical theater, and new operas - check out their website to see what's on.
Watch the champion SF Giants! Tickets range from under $10 to well over $100 depending on the game and the seats - it's worth planning ahead if you're interested.
596 localnici recomandă
Parcul Oracle
24 Willie Mays Plaza
596 localnici recomandă
Watch the champion SF Giants! Tickets range from under $10 to well over $100 depending on the game and the seats - it's worth planning ahead if you're interested.

Everything Else

Gym that offers drop-in boot camp/high-intensity interval workouts for $15 per class (a good deal around here!)
Game Changer Fitness
Gym that offers drop-in boot camp/high-intensity interval workouts for $15 per class (a good deal around here!)
Closest post office to our house.
19 localnici recomandă
United States Postal Service
4900 Shattuck Ave
19 localnici recomandă
Closest post office to our house.