Guidebook for Oakland
Getting Around
From this Bart stop, you are just three stops away from the city.
164 locals recommend
MacArthur Station
555 40th StFrom this Bart stop, you are just three stops away from the city.
Essentials
This is a large local market with an incredible produce section. It also has numerous options for organic and earth-friendly products.
371 locals recommend
Berkeley Bowl West
920 Heinz AveThis is a large local market with an incredible produce section. It also has numerous options for organic and earth-friendly products.
This chain grocery store is hands-down the best value (to us). We get most of our essentials from here.
582 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveThis chain grocery store is hands-down the best value (to us). We get most of our essentials from here.
A new mid-sized grocery store on Broadway near Kaiser Permanente Hospital. It also has a range of organic and conventional foods.
58 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
1075 Monroe StA new mid-sized grocery store on Broadway near Kaiser Permanente Hospital. It also has a range of organic and conventional foods.
Food Scene
Arizmendi - Local co-operative bakery/coffee shop known for its vegetarian pizzas and baked goods - For foodies, Arizmendi was created as a direct descendant of Alice Water’s vision of California cuisine through the now famous Cheese Board and Chez Panisse located in what is known as the “Gourmet Ghetto” in North Berkeley. They use all organic flours and everything is really delicious. Also, if you want to use the pizza stone and peel, with a 24 hour notice, you can buy pizza dough from them for about $3.00/ball (makes two medium pizzas).
72 locals recommend
Arizmendi Bakery & Pizzeria
4301 San Pablo AveArizmendi - Local co-operative bakery/coffee shop known for its vegetarian pizzas and baked goods - For foodies, Arizmendi was created as a direct descendant of Alice Water’s vision of California cuisine through the now famous Cheese Board and Chez Panisse located in what is known as the “Gourmet Ghetto” in North Berkeley. They use all organic flours and everything is really delicious. Also, if you want to use the pizza stone and peel, with a 24 hour notice, you can buy pizza dough from them for about $3.00/ball (makes two medium pizzas).
Your host’s favorite, simple, well-curated food and drink, a definite Oakland experience - For foodies, this restaurant is also a direct descendant of Alice Waters pioneering California cuisine and a food critic favorite. They use/buy local and seasonal ingredients including organic flour milled locally in Oakland. If you don’t have reservations, then go early or late, you may get a seat.
237 locals recommend
Pizzaiolo
5008 Telegraph AveYour host’s favorite, simple, well-curated food and drink, a definite Oakland experience - For foodies, this restaurant is also a direct descendant of Alice Waters pioneering California cuisine and a food critic favorite. They use/buy local and seasonal ingredients including organic flour milled locally in Oakland. If you don’t have reservations, then go early or late, you may get a seat.
Your hosts’ favorite, organic and macrobiotic food, great lunch specials, preset menu for the day, the flavors are incredible, (our brainwashed) kids love it too
27 locals recommend
Shangri-La Vegan
4001 Linden StYour hosts’ favorite, organic and macrobiotic food, great lunch specials, preset menu for the day, the flavors are incredible, (our brainwashed) kids love it too
The Kebabery
2929 Shattuck AvenueOrganic food, short walk from the house, we usually get it to go
Started by a friend of Ross, the best mac and cheese on the planet, take-out till late. Flavors paired with beers. Who knew gourmet mac was a thing?
149 locals recommend
Homeroom
400 40th StStarted by a friend of Ross, the best mac and cheese on the planet, take-out till late. Flavors paired with beers. Who knew gourmet mac was a thing?
Cafe Dejena
3939 Martin Luther King Jr WayEthiopian-owned, coffee, pastries, Ethiopian food, really close to the bart station
Scarlet City Espresso Bar
3960 Adeline StCoffee, arcade games, pastries
Amazing Burmese food, nice cocktails, always a long wait so put your name on the list and have a wander (make sure to order Platha bread and dip)
458 locals recommend
Burma Superstar
309 Clement StAmazing Burmese food, nice cocktails, always a long wait so put your name on the list and have a wander (make sure to order Platha bread and dip)
Cholita Linda
4923 Telegraph AveLatin American food, Cuban sandwiches, best fish tacos and sangria
Drinks & Nightlife
Coffee, light food, hipster- attached to a beer garden, open late
38 locals recommend
Arthur Mac's Tap and Snack
4006 Martin Luther King Jr WayCoffee, light food, hipster- attached to a beer garden, open late
Motown Mondays, dive bar with two levels, dj’s and old school set on Monday nights, lots of characters so be ready to join the craziness or have a good laugh, good margaritas
14 locals recommend
The Legionnaire Saloon
2272 Telegraph AveMotown Mondays, dive bar with two levels, dj’s and old school set on Monday nights, lots of characters so be ready to join the craziness or have a good laugh, good margaritas
Hella fun, club with events/ concerts, great cocktails (really good one called Cocchi Rosa), great snacks
55 locals recommend
Starline Social Club
2236 Martin Luther King Jr WayHella fun, club with events/ concerts, great cocktails (really good one called Cocchi Rosa), great snacks
$5 cover, good music, crowded so you want to be in a dancing and its okay if you bump me kind of mood.
33 locals recommend
The Layover
1517 Franklin St$5 cover, good music, crowded so you want to be in a dancing and its okay if you bump me kind of mood.
Jamaican food, cocktails are hecka (more Bay area lingo) strong and fantastic, live music some nights and Dj’s on first Friday
27 locals recommend
Kingston 11 Cuisine
2300 Telegraph AveJamaican food, cocktails are hecka (more Bay area lingo) strong and fantastic, live music some nights and Dj’s on first Friday
Dive bar, dim lighting, small dance area, very fun
Miranda- great music, cocktails
27 locals recommend
Ruby Room
132 14th StDive bar, dim lighting, small dance area, very fun
Miranda- great music, cocktails
Famous sushi restaurant and Jazz nightclub located in the heart of Jack London Square
136 locals recommend
Yoshi's Oakland
510 Embarcadero WestFamous sushi restaurant and Jazz nightclub located in the heart of Jack London Square
Sightseeing
Oakland’s historic waterfront, heart of the Port of Oakland, lots of weekend activities, festivals, shops, theaters and restaurants.
127 locals recommend
Jack London Square station
245 2nd StOakland’s historic waterfront, heart of the Port of Oakland, lots of weekend activities, festivals, shops, theaters and restaurants.
Lots of people come out to the lake to walk, run, dance, and bask in the sun. On Saturdays, it hosts a Farmer’s Market at the most eastern point. It is located just southeast of downtown Oakland
751 locals recommend
Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt BoulevardLots of people come out to the lake to walk, run, dance, and bask in the sun. On Saturdays, it hosts a Farmer’s Market at the most eastern point. It is located just southeast of downtown Oakland
Parks & Nature
Some of the best hiking in the East Bay. I love hiking down the creek trail from the northwest parking lot that connects the two Ridge Trails at Skyline Blvd. If you catch it at the right time, this trail will have a section covered in thousands of ladybugs.
373 locals recommend
Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood RoadSome of the best hiking in the East Bay. I love hiking down the creek trail from the northwest parking lot that connects the two Ridge Trails at Skyline Blvd. If you catch it at the right time, this trail will have a section covered in thousands of ladybugs.
Great spot for swimming with the kids. Avoid the weekends unless you like a crowd.
65 locals recommend
Lake Temescal
Great spot for swimming with the kids. Avoid the weekends unless you like a crowd.
Shopping
Two unique pedestrian alleys located near the corner of 49th Street and Telegraph Avenue, featuring a curated selection of locally owned artisan shops including and ice-cream shop and a cafe.
17 locals recommend
Alley 49
Alley 49Two unique pedestrian alleys located near the corner of 49th Street and Telegraph Avenue, featuring a curated selection of locally owned artisan shops including and ice-cream shop and a cafe.