Guidebook for Oakland

Danielle
Guidebook for Oakland

Oakland Attractions

Beautiful grounds. Just down the hill.
11 locals recommend
DUNSMUIR HELLMAN HISTORIC ESTATE
2960 Peralta Oaks Ct
11 locals recommend
Beautiful grounds. Just down the hill.
Only 4 miles away!!
56 locals recommend
Oakland International Airport
1 Airport Dr
56 locals recommend
Only 4 miles away!!
Beautiful downtown Oakland! Great restaurants, bars and shops
751 locals recommend
Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt Boulevard
751 locals recommend
Beautiful downtown Oakland! Great restaurants, bars and shops
Great art, great restaurants, lots of hipster bars.
45 locals recommend
Uptown
45 locals recommend
Great art, great restaurants, lots of hipster bars.
Happy Goats! Happy Chickens! Happy Ducks! Happy Cows! OMG I LOVE THIS PLACE.
38 locals recommend
Tilden Little Farm
1500 Canon Dr
38 locals recommend
Happy Goats! Happy Chickens! Happy Ducks! Happy Cows! OMG I LOVE THIS PLACE.

Entertainment & Activities

The Oakland Zoo has a great approach to the animals in their care.
163 locals recommend
Oakland Zoo
9777 Golf Links Rd
163 locals recommend
The Oakland Zoo has a great approach to the animals in their care.
Star gaze!!
122 locals recommend
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd
122 locals recommend
Star gaze!!
Rent kayaks or paddle boats, take a picnic, go hiking - See if you can spot Bald Eagles!!
27 locals recommend
Lake Chabot
27 locals recommend
Rent kayaks or paddle boats, take a picnic, go hiking - See if you can spot Bald Eagles!!
One of the best places to take the kids! Fantastic Golden Gate views as well. Truly unique.
85 locals recommend
Bay Area Discovery Museum
557 McReynolds Rd
85 locals recommend
One of the best places to take the kids! Fantastic Golden Gate views as well. Truly unique.
Wow. A Bay Area institution. Hands on science at its very best. Great for all ages, but your kids will go crazy in here. Great restaurant on premise - and the gift shop has fabulous offerings.
432 locals recommend
Exploratorium
Green Street
432 locals recommend
Wow. A Bay Area institution. Hands on science at its very best. Great for all ages, but your kids will go crazy in here. Great restaurant on premise - and the gift shop has fabulous offerings.
I was spoiled taking classes here in the summer as a kid. A fantastic hands on science museum with captivating exhibits. Absolutely stellar panoramic views as well!
65 locals recommend
Lawrence Hall of Science
65 locals recommend
I was spoiled taking classes here in the summer as a kid. A fantastic hands on science museum with captivating exhibits. Absolutely stellar panoramic views as well!
Snakes and lizards and turtles and frogs and tarantulas, Oh My!
14 locals recommend
East Bay Vivarium
1827 Fifth St
14 locals recommend
Snakes and lizards and turtles and frogs and tarantulas, Oh My!

Food Scene

Excellent farm to table cuisine. Incredible wine selection. Reasonably priced!
45 locals recommend
Paradiso
685 Bancroft Ave
45 locals recommend
Excellent farm to table cuisine. Incredible wine selection. Reasonably priced!
A neighborhood staple
30 locals recommend
Zocalo Coffeehouse
645 Bancroft Ave
30 locals recommend
A neighborhood staple
Brand new Peet's down the street! Local coffee from Berkeley.
Peet's Coffee
1500 E 14th St
Brand new Peet's down the street! Local coffee from Berkeley.
Totally unique bar/restaurant with great estuary views. Peanut shells on the floor.
19 locals recommend
Quinn's Lighthouse
1951 Embarcadero
19 locals recommend
Totally unique bar/restaurant with great estuary views. Peanut shells on the floor.
Fabulous restaurant in Temescal area. People do line up. The mixologists alone are worth the wait.
458 locals recommend
Burma Superstar
309 Clement St
458 locals recommend
Fabulous restaurant in Temescal area. People do line up. The mixologists alone are worth the wait.
Hallelujah and AMEN! My favorite restaurant on the planet has finally followed me home. You will now find it at 5912 College Ave. Oakland CA A vegan foodie MUST.
57 locals recommend
Millennium
5912 College Ave
57 locals recommend
Hallelujah and AMEN! My favorite restaurant on the planet has finally followed me home. You will now find it at 5912 College Ave. Oakland CA A vegan foodie MUST.
Great little neighborhood coffee house. Storytelling for the kiddies as well!
Sabino's Coffee Shop
1273 MacArthur Blvd
Great little neighborhood coffee house. Storytelling for the kiddies as well!
Super close and great, home style comfort food offerings. They have a tasty black bean burger for vegetarians too.
Boulevard Burgers
1027 MacArthur Blvd
Super close and great, home style comfort food offerings. They have a tasty black bean burger for vegetarians too.
Kind of in the middle of nowhere - but really good Thai food. Pick up or eat in.
6 locals recommend
Siam Palace Thai Cuisine
22545 Foothill Blvd
6 locals recommend
Kind of in the middle of nowhere - but really good Thai food. Pick up or eat in.
Excellent Turkish cuisine super close by. Try their Vegetable Tagine. Yum! Only complaint is the insane amount of single use plastic packaging they use for their take out and delivery service. It’s so close by, just go there to eat!
6 locals recommend
Moussaka Mediterranean Kitchen
599 Dutton Ave
6 locals recommend
Excellent Turkish cuisine super close by. Try their Vegetable Tagine. Yum! Only complaint is the insane amount of single use plastic packaging they use for their take out and delivery service. It’s so close by, just go there to eat!
Really simple, tasty vegan food made with love. You get the big plate or the small plate. Those are the choices. Everyone has basically the same thing and it’s delicious. Im not a fan of the cookies but everything else is yum.
16 locals recommend
Shangri-La Vegan on Telegraph
4905 Telegraph Ave
16 locals recommend
Really simple, tasty vegan food made with love. You get the big plate or the small plate. Those are the choices. Everyone has basically the same thing and it’s delicious. Im not a fan of the cookies but everything else is yum.
Best Vegan Pho in the Bay Area. Hands down. Big love for the Monster.
Monster Phở
360 40th Street
Best Vegan Pho in the Bay Area. Hands down. Big love for the Monster.
Great vegan deli!
29 locals recommend
The Butcher’s Son
1954 University Ave
29 locals recommend
Great vegan deli!
Sit out on the dock and watch the birds and boats go by right in the middle of Oakland. Great lunch and brunch hang.
136 locals recommend
Lake Chalet
1520 Lakeside Dr
136 locals recommend
Sit out on the dock and watch the birds and boats go by right in the middle of Oakland. Great lunch and brunch hang.
Close to the house. Fantastic outdoor space. Really excellent food and wine choices. This place is less than a year old and already has a dedicated following. I count myself among its growing fans.
13 locals recommend
Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar
855 MacArthur Blvd
13 locals recommend
Close to the house. Fantastic outdoor space. Really excellent food and wine choices. This place is less than a year old and already has a dedicated following. I count myself among its growing fans.
Thai and Laotian eatery very close to home. Great for take out.
Sl Kitchen
1057 MacArthur Blvd
Thai and Laotian eatery very close to home. Great for take out.
337 locals recommend
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck Ave
337 locals recommend
Inexpensive and tasty vegan sushi, phô, noodle dishes and curries. Yum!
10 locals recommend
Indochine Vegan
508 Valencia St
10 locals recommend
Inexpensive and tasty vegan sushi, phô, noodle dishes and curries. Yum!
Great for breakfast!
101 locals recommend
Sequoia Diner
3719 MacArthur Blvd
101 locals recommend
Great for breakfast!
Same folks that brought you Shizen in SF have opened another amazing vegan Izakaya in Berkeley. Added bonus: Same food but unlike Shizen, there’s almost never a line to get in!!
Tane Vegan Izakaya
Same folks that brought you Shizen in SF have opened another amazing vegan Izakaya in Berkeley. Added bonus: Same food but unlike Shizen, there’s almost never a line to get in!!
If you want a picture perfect spot to get that sunset over SF selfie, Mer Sea is your place! Great drinks, outdoor games, munchables. View views views and did I mention the views?
Mersea
699 Avenue of the Palms
If you want a picture perfect spot to get that sunset over SF selfie, Mer Sea is your place! Great drinks, outdoor games, munchables. View views views and did I mention the views?
Where all self-respecting Nina warriors grab a cocktail and a bowl of the best veggie ramen in Oakland
Noka Ramen
Where all self-respecting Nina warriors grab a cocktail and a bowl of the best veggie ramen in Oakland
Great for Sunday Brunch with live New Orleans style jazz. There is precious little not to love about this place. Tamearra Dyson, has been cooking her signature plant-based dishes since the age of 18. “I wanted to create a place that welcomes everyone to come and enjoy an experience that takes them away from the day to day stresses of life. Good music and good feelings that are centered around made from scratch Louisiana creole style vegan food. This is not a trend for me, what I do, and this is how I live.”
40 locals recommend
Souley Vegan
301 Broadway
40 locals recommend
Great for Sunday Brunch with live New Orleans style jazz. There is precious little not to love about this place. Tamearra Dyson, has been cooking her signature plant-based dishes since the age of 18. “I wanted to create a place that welcomes everyone to come and enjoy an experience that takes them away from the day to day stresses of life. Good music and good feelings that are centered around made from scratch Louisiana creole style vegan food. This is not a trend for me, what I do, and this is how I live.”
Tasty Thai and Lao food. Reasonably priced. For dining in, pick up or delivery. Close to the house.
Sl Kitchen
1057 MacArthur Blvd
Tasty Thai and Lao food. Reasonably priced. For dining in, pick up or delivery. Close to the house.

Wineries & Breweries

A world class brewery in our own back yard. Awesome industrial setting. Tours. A must for the beer connoisseur.
22 locals recommend
Drake's Brewing Company
1933 Davis St
22 locals recommend
A world class brewery in our own back yard. Awesome industrial setting. Tours. A must for the beer connoisseur.
No time to visit Napa or Sonoma? We have tons of excellent wineries right here in the East Bay!
Treasure Island Wines
995 9th St
No time to visit Napa or Sonoma? We have tons of excellent wineries right here in the East Bay!
Excellent wines and wine tasting right here in Oakland!
30 locals recommend
Rosenblum Cellars
10 Clay St
30 locals recommend
Excellent wines and wine tasting right here in Oakland!
A top pick of Tim Fish, Wine Spectator senior editor and lead taster for the wines of Oregon and Washington, California Rhône-style reds and Zinfandels, and U.S sparkling wines.. Enjoy excellent, hand crafted small batch wines close to home!
Dashe Cellars
A top pick of Tim Fish, Wine Spectator senior editor and lead taster for the wines of Oregon and Washington, California Rhône-style reds and Zinfandels, and U.S sparkling wines.. Enjoy excellent, hand crafted small batch wines close to home!
Huge brewery with a great vibe and tasty brews. Take a tour too!
12 locals recommend
21st Amendment Brewery
2010 Williams St
12 locals recommend
Huge brewery with a great vibe and tasty brews. Take a tour too!
A really unique bottle shop focused on ciders around the world. Try our local favorite, a dry Ginger Peppercorn offering from Blindwood Cider (made in San Leandro). Or something French, slightly sweet and transcendent: Poire by Eric Bordelet - a favorite of Chez Pannise founder, Alice Waters. There’s a little 3 table parklet for outdoor sipping.
Redfield Cider Bar & Bottle Shop
5815 College Ave
A really unique bottle shop focused on ciders around the world. Try our local favorite, a dry Ginger Peppercorn offering from Blindwood Cider (made in San Leandro). Or something French, slightly sweet and transcendent: Poire by Eric Bordelet - a favorite of Chez Pannise founder, Alice Waters. There’s a little 3 table parklet for outdoor sipping.
2022 Brewery of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver!! Ghost Town picked up two gold medals, both in categories with over 100 entries, plus a silver medal.
27 locals recommend
Ghost Town Brewing
1960 Adeline St
27 locals recommend
2022 Brewery of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver!! Ghost Town picked up two gold medals, both in categories with over 100 entries, plus a silver medal.
Fieldwork Brewing Company - San Leandro
Original Pattern won a Gold Medal at the 2022 Great American Beer Festival in the Session IPA category, a Bronze Medal at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival in the New Zealand Style Pale Ale category, and a Gold Medal at the 2019 California Craft Brewer’s Cup in the American Wild Ale (Sour) category.
6 locals recommend
Original Pattern Brewing
292 4th St
6 locals recommend
Original Pattern won a Gold Medal at the 2022 Great American Beer Festival in the Session IPA category, a Bronze Medal at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival in the New Zealand Style Pale Ale category, and a Gold Medal at the 2019 California Craft Brewer’s Cup in the American Wild Ale (Sour) category.

Arts & Culture

Massive shows
83 locals recommend
Oracle Arena
7000 Coliseum Way
83 locals recommend
Massive shows
Fantastic museum.
547 locals recommend
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak St
547 locals recommend
Fantastic museum.
Gorgeous art deco performance venue
120 locals recommend
Paramount Theatre
2025 Broadway
120 locals recommend
Gorgeous art deco performance venue
Fantastic science museum with really interesting exhibits. Perfect for all ages, but on Thursday evenings, they throw a great 21+ party. Super fun way to spend a Thursday night!
816 locals recommend
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr
816 locals recommend
Fantastic science museum with really interesting exhibits. Perfect for all ages, but on Thursday evenings, they throw a great 21+ party. Super fun way to spend a Thursday night!

Essentials

A wonderfully curated selection of gourmet and organic goodies, close to home. Excellent and well priced wines too!
15 locals recommend
Estudillo Produce & Deli
1305 MacArthur Blvd
15 locals recommend
A wonderfully curated selection of gourmet and organic goodies, close to home. Excellent and well priced wines too!
Not your typical Rite Aid! Newly renovated and now boasting an incredible selection of truly excellent wines.
6 locals recommend
Rite Aid Pharmacy
1355 MacArthur Blvd
6 locals recommend
Not your typical Rite Aid! Newly renovated and now boasting an incredible selection of truly excellent wines.
If you've never gone to Trader Joe's, you're in for a treat. Great prices, unique offerings. This one is just off 580 on your way to SF.
582 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore Ave
582 locals recommend
If you've never gone to Trader Joe's, you're in for a treat. Great prices, unique offerings. This one is just off 580 on your way to SF.
I think this may be the closest Trader Joe's to the house.
582 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore Ave
582 locals recommend
I think this may be the closest Trader Joe's to the house.
This Safeway is on the larger side. Great all around grocery store. Closer to BART.
416 locals recommend
Safeway
2020 Market St
416 locals recommend
This Safeway is on the larger side. Great all around grocery store. Closer to BART.
230 locals recommend
Farmer Joe's Marketplace
3501 MacArthur Blvd
230 locals recommend
230 locals recommend
Farmer Joe's Marketplace
3501 MacArthur Blvd
230 locals recommend
Cordial Bottle Shop
3295 MacArthur Blvd
Whole Foods on Bay Place in Oakland is a huge flagship store. Great selection of produce, organic foods, alcohol, and specialty items.
553 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
230 Bay Pl
553 locals recommend
Whole Foods on Bay Place in Oakland is a huge flagship store. Great selection of produce, organic foods, alcohol, and specialty items.
Great market. Excellent and rare produce. Local offerings, great deli.
371 locals recommend
Berkeley Bowl West
920 Heinz Ave
371 locals recommend
Great market. Excellent and rare produce. Local offerings, great deli.
419 locals recommend
Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon St
419 locals recommend
582 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore Ave
582 locals recommend
Sprouts on Broadway in Oakland
58 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
1075 Monroe St
58 locals recommend
Sprouts on Broadway in Oakland