Guidebook for Oakland
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
230 Bay PlClose walk
KP Asian Market
2370 Telegraph AveHuge selection of affordable food
Great deals on organic veggies, wine, and cheeses. Selection is inconsistent but there's always a fun surprise!
33 locals recommend
Grocery Outlet Bargain Market
2900 BroadwayGreat deals on organic veggies, wine, and cheeses. Selection is inconsistent but there's always a fun surprise!
Arts & Culture
The New Parkway Theater
474 24th StFun theater with food and couches inside.
Fun locally owned theater has off-beat and mainstream movies, and is a beautiful walk around the lake at night or in the day
382 locals recommend
Grand Lake Theater
3200 Grand AveFun locally owned theater has off-beat and mainstream movies, and is a beautiful walk around the lake at night or in the day
Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph AveHuge venue with live music and large shows
Food Scene
Good food and good cheap cocktails. Happy hour prices are pretty much all the time!
One International Cafe
3932 Telegraph AveGood food and good cheap cocktails. Happy hour prices are pretty much all the time!
Black Spring Coffee Company
2930 Telegraph AveGreat hang-out spot with wifi, coffee, and vegan pastries.
Lip-smackin' good, authentic southern barbecue. Get there early before they sell out!
Phat Matt's BBQ
Lip-smackin' good, authentic southern barbecue. Get there early before they sell out!
Beauty's Bagel Shop
3838 Telegraph AveGood fresh bagels made into sandwiches and other meals.
Excellent falafel and chicken sandwiches, plus it's a great source for middle-eastern ingredients.
23 locals recommend
Oasis Food Market
3045 Telegraph AveExcellent falafel and chicken sandwiches, plus it's a great source for middle-eastern ingredients.
First-class pastries, plus good coffee and sandwiches. Nice place to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine.
20 locals recommend
Sweet Bar Bakery
2355 BroadwayFirst-class pastries, plus good coffee and sandwiches. Nice place to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine.
Kansai
4345 Telegraph AveVery low price, delicious sushi, long list of happy hour offerings
Fun neighborhood a close walk from our home, enjoy the shops, cafes and restaurants
108 locals recommend
Peet's Coffee
3401 Fruitvale AveFun neighborhood a close walk from our home, enjoy the shops, cafes and restaurants
Sidebar
542 Grand AveYummy food and drinks, makes a great night-out for dinner and a movie
Mariposa Baking Company
5427 Telegraph AveGluten free pastries and cakes!
Yummy donuts! Trendy spot, not a great atmosphere to sit and enjoy them, but the donuts are $1/donut hole and good
14 locals recommend
Donut Savant
3000 38th AvenueYummy donuts! Trendy spot, not a great atmosphere to sit and enjoy them, but the donuts are $1/donut hole and good
Drinks & Nightlife
Relaxed atmosphere, wifi, and lots of sunlight. Good coffee, great beer selection, and delicious light meals.
27 locals recommend
CommonWealth
2882 Telegraph AveRelaxed atmosphere, wifi, and lots of sunlight. Good coffee, great beer selection, and delicious light meals.
Hip new bar with good beer selection and ample outdoor seating and games.
69 locals recommend
Lost & Found Beer Garden
2040 Telegraph AvenueHip new bar with good beer selection and ample outdoor seating and games.
Bar 355
355 19th StFun atmosphere, good drinks, standard price (~$10/cocktail)
Shopping
Very cute coffee house where you can sign up to hang out with a bunch of cats! Kinda like our house actually, but with even more cats!
15 locals recommend
Cat Town
2869 BroadwayVery cute coffee house where you can sign up to hang out with a bunch of cats! Kinda like our house actually, but with even more cats!
Classic east-bay coffee spot. Deep alternative vibe, huge selection of magazines to peruse, and good selection of pastries and sandwiches.
55 locals recommend
Farley's East
33 Grand AveClassic east-bay coffee spot. Deep alternative vibe, huge selection of magazines to peruse, and good selection of pastries and sandwiches.
Local, sustainable honey, treats and bee-related equipment... lots of flavors to try and take home! Make great gifts... Most other honey is made by feeding bees sugar water and is decimating the hives
Bee Healthy Honey Shop
2950 Telegraph AveLocal, sustainable honey, treats and bee-related equipment... lots of flavors to try and take home! Make great gifts... Most other honey is made by feeding bees sugar water and is decimating the hives
Sightseeing
A lovely bonsai garden, surrounded by a larger botanical garden. A very serene and beautiful walk.
14 locals recommend
Lake Merritt Bonsai Gardens
A lovely bonsai garden, surrounded by a larger botanical garden. A very serene and beautiful walk.
A bewildering array of shops, restaurants, and always crowded sidewalks.
551 locals recommend
Chinatown
A bewildering array of shops, restaurants, and always crowded sidewalks.
Awesome exhibits, or if you want to go for free you can explore the gorgeous raised gardens (very worthwhile!) with sculptures and a stunning view of the city... Fridays are half-off tickets!
547 locals recommend
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak StAwesome exhibits, or if you want to go for free you can explore the gorgeous raised gardens (very worthwhile!) with sculptures and a stunning view of the city... Fridays are half-off tickets!
Historic art deco theater has shows, music, and tours on Sundays - it's AMAZING to learn the story and see the opulent style of this huge theater, built during the Depression
120 locals recommend
Paramount Theatre
2025 BroadwayHistoric art deco theater has shows, music, and tours on Sundays - it's AMAZING to learn the story and see the opulent style of this huge theater, built during the Depression
Fun place to sit and read a book... lending is available for locals
18 locals recommend
Oakland Public Library
5205 Telegraph AveFun place to sit and read a book... lending is available for locals