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North America > United States of America > California > Bay Area > East Bay > Alameda County > Oakland
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For other places with the same name, see Oakland (disambiguation).

Oakland is a port city in the Bay Area of California in the United States of America. The city was rated by Rand McNally as having the best weather in the country. While Oakland has neither the concentration of tourist amenities present in its cosmopolitan western neighbor San Francisco nor the suburban safety of sprawling San Jose to the south, the visitor can easily spend a few pleasant days here. The often negative opinion of Oakland is sometimes exaggerated and should not deter you from exploring what is the Bay Area's most diverse city and underrated cultural center. The city gets its name because it has an abundance of oak trees.

Understand

Some of the distinctive skyline of Downtown, including the Kaiser Building and the Cathedral of Christ the Light.

Often overshadowed by San Francisco, its larger neighbor lying directly to the west, Oakland has in recent years began to step out from under the shadows, playing upon the beautiful highlights of its own and its rise as the multicultural "hipster" city of the Bay Area.

Since the 1960s, Oakland has been a hub of radical culture, and is the birthplace of both the Black Panther Party and the Hell's Angels. Oakland's history in the arts and entertainment arena is notable as well, as Oakland has nurtured or been a second home to novelists Gertrude Stein, Jack London, Amy Tan, and Maya Angelou; actors Meryl Streep, Mark Hamill, Bruce Lee, and Tom Hanks; architect Julia "Butterfly" Hill; classical conductor Calvin Simmons; rappers MC Hammer, 2Pac, Messy Marv, and several other notables in the liberal arts and sciences.

Oakland as a city reflects the amazing diversity of its residents and long history. For many visitors, the first place they are likely to visit is Downtown, especially if they are in town on business, or simply do not know where to start. The center of transportation by BART and by bus is there, if one wants to branch out. And it is as simple as walking in a direction from there, for the first few neighborhoods, since Old Oakland is along 10th Street, just west of Broadway. Just east of Broadway and continuing north and south is Oakland's famous Chinatown, and that to get the real essence of "Chinatown," Oakland rather than San Francisco is your best bet. Many of the buildings and streets of Chinatown reflect the diverse nature of its history, in architecture and in the bilingual signs seen throughout the neighborhood.

The curious traveler can venture to take a bus southwards along Broadway, and come to Jack London Square. The unlikely mixture of warehouses and very expensive restaurants and posh atmosphere alongside some of the landmarks of the city's waterfront makes the Square an interesting place to visit and explore, even for locals. It's the home of the USS Potomac and the site of the namesake author's residence, still preserved and humbly standing not far from a saloon from the same era.

Just west of Downtown and slightly north of the Financial District is Uptown. In the evening it buzzes with art galleries, theaters and residents and Bay Area visitors coming into the area to see concerts. A popular area on the weekend with a mixed vibe of hipster and hip hop. It's a burgeoning neighborhood of performing arts ranging from nightclubs to music halls, avant-garde performance art, and even an improv theater company. Uptown also has some of the best in the city's vintage architecture, like the Gothic Revival Cathedral Building and the Art Deco Fox and Paramount Theaters, as well as several restaurants.

North Oakland is a sweeping term, referring to just about everywhere north of Uptown and Lake Merritt. Many of the neighborhoods are commercial centers and absolute heaven for foodies or those who seek quieter surroundings than the hustle and bustle of Downtown and Chinatown. Temescal is a neighborhood that lies north-northwest from Downtown, centered along the reach of Telegraph Avenue, at and near 51st Street. Until the 1960s, a dominantly Italian-American neighborhood, it is now a much more diversified neighborhood, home to many restaurants, including some of the city's best Korean and Ethiopian establishments. Northeast of Temescal and near the Berkeley border lies Rockridge, a neighborhood mixed with family friendly and artistic vibes. It has lots of local boutiques and a diverse range of food at all prices and styles. Open-air markets, bookstores, and a BART station all its own make Rockridge another of many pleasant stops in North Oakland. South of Rockridge, and southeast of Temescal lies Piedmont Avenue, a street extending from Broadway near 34th and Hawthorne and an area with a group of hospitals on a hill (Pill Hill) up and through a neighborhood bordered on both sides by picturesque hills, houses and trees. Another of North Oakland's group of foodie spots, home to the city's single Michelin-rated restaurant and many others; cafes, ice cream, coffee shops and pleasant walks complete the vision of this interesting and quiet neighborhood. East along I-580 and not far from Piedmont Avenue are two neighborhoods separated by a couple of blocks. Grand Lake and Lakeshore both share a friendly, suburban sort of feel. The Grand Lake Theater stands at the entrance to the neighborhood that bears its name, a matter of a few hundred feet from Lakeshore Avenue - both are diverse neighborhoods no matter what your budget, be it burgers or sandwiches or a full romantic evening, either of these twin-sister neighborhoods will make a pleasant time, by day or night.

West Oakland was once a burgeoning working-class neighborhood with its roots tracing as far back as the opening decades of the 19th century. It has seen a period of decline between the 1960s and the more recent past. Strangely, twice in its history the neighborhood has seen benefits from major earthquakes. After the 1906 earthquake, many San Franciscans relocated there, and the industrial development of the 20s and 30s saw its population in the hundreds of thousands. With Loma Prieta in 1989, the effective barrier of the Cypress Street Overpass was destroyed, and the decades since have seen the rebuilding and refurbishing of many of the neighborhood's original Victorian houses, and there is a burgeoning performing arts community growing near the center of the neighborhood. Though there are a few draws for the traveler, West Oakland is dominantly a very poor working-class residential neighborhood with a less than spectacular reputation.

Get in

By plane

Oakland or Auckland?

It's not just Full House's Stephanie and Michelle Tanner that have ended up in Auckland, New Zealand instead of Oakland, California. Several incidents have been reported of tourists destined for Oakland ending up on the wrong side of the Pacific, either due to ticketing agent errors, or because they misheard an Air New Zealand flight attendant saying their London to Los Angeles flight was continuing to "Oakland". It may pay to double check your airline tickets and the destination screens before you board your flight; otherwise, it will be an expensive flight home.

Oakland International Airport (OAK IATA) is served by many domestic and international carriers. There is private shuttle service ($10–25) to hotels in Oakland and San Francisco. The airport is also served by the "BART to OAK" people mover to the Oakland Coliseum BART Station, from where you can continue onward to central Oakland or San Francisco, or transfer to the similarly named Amtrak Capitol Corridor station. The people mover runs every 5 minutes during the day, and ticket pricing is integrated at e.g. $7.85 to central Oakland or $10.05 to central San Francisco. This replaces the earlier AirBART buses, which have now been retired.

Other air travel options include the San Francisco (SFO IATA) and San Jose (SJC IATA) International Airports. SFO, with its BART station, is the more convenient of the two and also sits closer to Oakland. Those flying into SJC may have to battle significant traffic, pay for an expensive van or taxi ride, or take VTA's Airport Flyer (Route 10) to the Santa Clara Caltrain Station, then Caltrain to the Millbrae Intermodal Station, and then BART toward Oakland. (From SFO and Millbrae, BART provides direct service to West Oakland, Lake Merritt, Fruitvale, and Coliseum stations; those traveling to other Oakland stations, such as Oakland City Center/12th Street, must change trains no later than West Oakland.)

For private pilots, Oakland Airport (OAK IATA) has a separate General Aviation area "North Field", essentially the equivalent of another airport to the north of the commercial facilities, with separate tower, taxiways, and radio frequencies. Its long runway is frequently used for jet travel, and Oakland makes a far better GA destination than SFO's complex, heavily trafficked field.

By train

Amtrak has two stations accessible from Oakland, Jack London Square Station (At Alice and 2nd street, not far from the Square itself) and the much larger Emeryville Station (At Horton and 59th Street, in Emeryville). It's always a good idea to get to your train at least 30 minutes early, to allow for lines, security and so forth.

By car

From San Francisco, Highway 80 east over the beautiful Bay Bridge leads to Highways 580, 880, and 980, which go to east, west, and downtown Oakland respectively.

From Marin, Sonoma, and other counties along the northern coast of California, take US-101 to Highway 580 and cross the Richmond Bridge. 580 leads directly into Oakland.

From Monterey, Salinas, and the Central Coast, follow US-101 to San Jose and connect to Highway 880, which leads to Oakland.

From Tracy, Modesto, and San Joaquin Valley's southern portion (Southern California, too), take the scenic Highway 580 over Altamont Pass.

From Stockton, either follow the Altamont Pass route or take Highway 4 through Contra Costa County to Highway 242, then to Highway 680, which connects to Highway 24.

From Contra Costa County, Highway 24 through the Caldecott Tunnel leads to north Oakland.

From the northern East Bay, Vallejo, Fairfield, and the greater Sacramento, Highway 80 west leads directly to Oakland.

Alternatively, one can connect to Highway 123 and San Pablo Avenue in Richmond, and follow it to Oakland, if there is trouble on the parallel Highway 80. It's city streets, so will likely take extra time, and it will mean driving into and through everything between Richmond and West Oakland, including both El Cerrito and Berkeley.

Most northern entries to Oakland go through the heinous MacArthur Maze, a spaghetti-like mashup of four freeways trying to merge and pass each other. It's got terrible traffic during commute times (7AM-10AM, 4PM-8PM), so you might want to avoid driving on the freeways at these times.

By bus

By ferry

The San Francisco Bay Ferry has departures from both Pier 41 and the Ferry Building in San Francisco, weekdays year-round and weekends except for mid-winter. Its Oakland terminal is at the foot of Clay St. in Jack London Square. (On summer weekends there are also trips to Angel Island, an island park in the middle of the bay, formerly an immigration station.)

Get around

Oakland is a good-sized city, with attractions more than a fair distance from the center of town. Car rentals tend to be more expensive than other locations in the country, and streets are frequently lined with meters, unless they're in completely residential zones. Some of the larger attractions have their own parking of course, and some of the more visitor-friendly neighborhoods have sizable parking lots - some paid and some not. Most residential areas allow parking for only a limited time for non-residents, so the wise traveler is best-advised to use public transit of some kind.

The distinctive lime green B shuttle

By bicycle

Oakland has a wide and increasing infrastructure of bicycle lanes. If you need a bike, rental shops are close to nonexistent. Oakland enjoys a pumping bike culture, with lots of bike parking, and especially at some "parklets" at many of the city's coffee shops. If you like mixing bikes with your nightlife, you can join the 300+ people that cycle together monthly at East Bay Bike Party.

By bus

  • AC Transit, 1600 Franklin St, From Bay Area phones, dial 511, then say “AC Transit” for the AC Transit menu, then say, “Customer Relations”. M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa-Su 9AM-5PM. Bus service to most parts of Oakland and its neighboring cities and towns for $2.10 (one-way, $.25 for single-use transfer), transbay service to San Francisco is $4.20 (one-way, single-use transfer for AC Transit only is free). Service for most routes ends at or around midnight. There are several all-night routes, designated by "8xx" numbers, such as the 800, which runs from Richmond BART/Amtrak, through El Cerrito, Albany, Berkeley and Oakland to and from San Francisco.
  • The B, +1 510 891-7142, . M-Th 7AM-10PM, F-Sa 7AM-1AM. The B is a free shuttle service operating along Broadway from Grand Ave. all the way to Jack London Square.
  • Emery-Go-Round, 1300 67th St, +1 510 451-3862, . Shuttle service that connects at MacArthur BART Station, providing frequent and free service from the early morning to around 10 in the evening between Oakland and Emeryville

By subway

  • BART. Connections between Oakland to San Francisco, the Peninsula, Contra Costa County, and the far northeastern reach of Silicon Valley, usually at a cost between $2 and $4 each way. BART has stations in several major neighborhoods in Oakland itself, such as Downtown (City Center), West Oakland, Lake Merritt and Rockridge. Note that there is an extra $5 added to any fare beginning or ending at SFO.

By taxi

Taxi services in Oakland tend to be a very mixed experience. Prices tend to be high, and even the more reliable taxi companies can be very hit and miss for reliability and prompt response time. There are a large number of companies with "Yellow" and "Cab" in their name, without being the same company.

  • Bubba's Cab Company, 2 S Green St, Larkspur, +1 415 342-2260. Service covering the North Bay, Marin Peninsula, East Bay and San Francisco.
  • Thunder Express, 1402 Webster St, +1 510 585-1500. SUVs, town cars and limos are all available.
  • Welcome Transportation, 638 Eagle Ave. Alameda, +1 510 522-8911, fax: +1 510 522-5900. Hybrid SUVs, minivans and airport limo services.
  • Yellow Cab Express, Richmond, +1 510 234-5555, . (office) M-F 7:30AM-noon, 1PM-4:30PM. Minivan and SUVs as well as cabs, all GPS-equipped. Primarily serves the East Bay from Crockett and Pinole all the way to Oakland and the Hills. Also serves Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento airports.
  • Yellow Cap Cab, 848 Crocus Dr, San Leandro, +1 510 614-8383. Hybrid SUVs, service covering the East Bay from Union City to Berkeley.
  • Yellow City Cab, +1 510 658-2222, . Full fleet of vehicles, including town cars, minivans and SUVs - online reservations available, call by phone to confirm once placed.
  • Yellow and Black Taxi, 3898 Ruby St, Berkeley, +1 510 644-8181. Online reservations, hybrid SUVs, service covering the East and South Bay and San Francisco.

See

Contrary to the belief fostered by popular culture and the media, Oakland has many attractions to the eye and for the mind. Where some believe that it is a city of run-down Victorian houses or endless stretches of urban blight, this is very far from accurate. Oakland is a city with roots as far back as the earliest years of the admission of the State of California, and as such, it has architecture extant from many different eras. The Victorian architecture preserved and restored in Old Oakland, the Art Deco glory of Uptown, and the history of the Port of Oakland itself are among the many things to see. New York City has Manhattanhenge, towers of glass and steel; Oakland has the valleys of stone. Eight different walking tours are offered by the City of Oakland, with eight different paths to explore the city, from the historical landmarks of Jack London Square and the Waterfront, to the cultural sights and experiences of Chinatown, and the history of African Americans that grew and made their marks in civil rights and the history not only of the city but of the nation, just to give a small sample of three of the tours' itineraries.

For more walking tour information: Oakland Walking Tours, +1 510 238-3234, . Tours are offered Wednesdays and Saturdays from May to October at 10AM. Reservations are recommended but not required. Free.

Art galleries

News on many of Oakland's fine arts exhibitions can be found at Oakland Art Murmur.

Museums

Chabot Space and Science Center.
  • African American Museum & Library at Oakland, 659 14th St (at Martin Luther King Jr. Way), +1 510 637-0200. This is a beautiful building, one of the libraries donated by Andrew Carnegie, and its exterior merits a look before or after you visit the interior. The museum is on the second floor. Some of the temporary exhibits are quite worthwhile, and the permanent exhibits, which tell the black history of Oakland in text, pictures, and videotaped interviews, are really well done. Check the AAMLO web site for information on special exhibits, programs and events, such as an African American walking tour of downtown Oakland. Free.
  • Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd, +1 510 336-7300. Opened in August 2000, the Center is a state-of-the-art science and technology education facility on a 13-acre site in the hills of Oakland. Visitors can watch planetarium shows and/or Megadome movies, simulate space missions in the Challenger Learning Center, explore a variety of changing hands-on exhibits, observe the sky through the center's telescopes, and much more. In addition, the Science Discovery Lab (for children 7 and under and their parent/guardian) is fantastic.
  • Oakland Aviation Museum, 8252 Earhart Rd (Inside Oakland International Airport), +1 510 638-7100, . W-Su 10AM-4PM. Civilian and military aircraft both large and small, even the Flying Boat. Flight simulators, flight lessons, even open cockpit days make this stop in Oakland International's old North Terminal a memorable one for anyone interested in flying or the history of aviation. Adults $10, seniors (55+) $9, military/teen $7, children 6-12 $5, children under 6 free.
  • Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St (at 10th; Lake Merritt BART station), +1 510 238-2200. W-Th,Sa-Su 11AM-5PM, F 11AM-9PM. A startlingly good museum dedicated to the art, history, and culture of California. The building itself is an admirable piece of architecture, and the exhibits are almost uniformly excellent and engaging. Well worth a visit. $12, $9 seniors and students, $6 youth 9-17, OMCA Members and children 8 and under enter free. Free for everyone first Su each month.
  • Oakland Public Library, 125 4th St (Main Branch, six blocks east of 12th Street BART), +1 510 238-3134, toll-free: +1 888 625-6873. With branches in neighborhoods throughout the city (check their website for specific branch locations and hours), the Oakland Public Library hosts numerous public events that make use of their facilities and vast resources.
  • 1 Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd (Exit off I-580), +1 510 632-9525. 10AM-4PM daily. The mission of the Oakland Zoo is to inspire respect for and stewardship of the natural world, while providing a quality visitor experience. At the Oakland Zoo, you can explore together, learn together, and have fun together. $10.50, kids and seniors $7.
  • Peralta Museum of History and Culture (Peralta Hacienda Historical Park), 2496 34th Ave, +1 510 532-9142. Check website for tour hours and special events. Once headquarters of the Rancho San Antonio Spanish land grant, this six-acre park contains the 1870 Antonio Peralta House and interpretive exhibits, a native plant garden, and changing exhibits on history and culture.
  • USS Potomac, Water St (adjacent to Jack London Square), +1 510 627-1215. The ship is available for dockside tours W F Su 11AM-3PM. Historic cruises on the bay are available Apr-Oct Th & Sa; these must be booked with TicketWeb or by calling +1 866 468-3399. Originally built as a Coast Guard Cutter, the Potomac was remodeled as Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidential yacht in 1936 and served in that role until his death in 1945. In 1941, a fishing trip on the Potomac served as a cover story for Roosevelt's secret meeting with Churchill in Newfoundland waters; this meeting led to the allied partnership during World War II and eventually to the formation of the United Nations. Dockside tours $10, $8 seniors, free for children 12 and under.
The view from the Mormon Temple.

Parks & gardens

Public parks are a very common sight no matter what part of Oakland you are in. From green gardens to athletic fields and playgrounds to the massive open space of the Oakland Hills, if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle for a breath of fresh air or the like, there are plenty of places to relax in. A more complete list of the city's parks may be found at the City of Oakland Parks and Recreation

  • The Dunsmuir House, 2960 Peralta Oaks Ct (Take I580, exit at Foothill from either direction, take 106th under the freeway, and take a right on Peralta Oaks), +1 510 615-5555, fax: +1 510 562-8294. An out of the way large mansion and grounds dating to the sunset of the 19th century, the Dunsmuir House is home to a variety of events year-round, from classic car shows to Scottish Games.
  • Joaquin Miller Park, Joaquin Miller Rd (entrance about 1 mile from Hwy 13), +1 510 238-3481. A beautiful park in the Oakland hills, made up in part of "The Hights", the old estate of California poet Joaquin Miller. The park has some of the few remaining old-growth redwood groves in the East Bay. Lots of hiking and bike-riding opportunities. Free.
  • Lake Merritt, East of Downtown (Lake Merritt BART, also easy access from I-880 from the south or I-580 from the north). A large tidal lagoon that is surrounded by parkland and city neighborhoods. A popular 3.1 mile (5 km) walking and jogging path runs along its perimeter. It is historically significant as the United States' first official wildlife refuge, designated in 1870.
  • Morcom Rose Garden, 700 Jean St (One block from Grand Ave.), +1 510 238-3187, fax: +1 510 238-2397. A peaceful and picturesque oasis of color, near Grand Lake, often a site for weddings. Seven acres of roses, a few benches and quiet, nestled into a residential area.
  • The Mormon Temple, 4770 Lincoln Ave (Near Highway 13), +1 510 531-3200, fax: +1 510 531-2646. Commanding one of the most breathtaking views in the East Bay, the Temple can be seen from nearly anywhere facing it, lit up like a beacon during the evening hours. Though it has extensive grounds and a visitor center, it is still a place of worship, so be respectful.
  • Redwood Regional Park, 7867 Redwood Rd (Take Redwood Road north from Skyline Blvd.), toll-free: +1 888 327-2757, option 3, extension 4553. 5AM-10PM daily unless otherwise posted or permitted. The hills behind the Mormon Temple and to the east of Oakland's bustling streets are home to this, where redwood groves and trees and trails and wildlife help even the most weary traveler forget that a city lies at the elbow of the wilderness. Redwood is just one of a string or regional parks running along the crest of the Oakland Hills. To the north are Huckleberry Botanical Preserve and Sibley Volcanic Regional Park while to the south is Anthony Chabot Regional Park. All have trails that interconnect with Redwood

Do

Oakland is a city of passionate interests - among the strongest of them are the love of the performing arts. Theater, live DJs, nightclubs, concerts, dance and even more unusual avant-garde activities are common sights and experiences in the city. Not just the obvious locations like the convention center or the Oracle Arena are home to the passion of performance. The Fox and Paramount Theaters both host live concerts; the Paramount in particular is home to Oakland's East Bay Symphony, but that is by no means the end of the list. The nightlife of Oakland swings to the beat too, with popular spots like the Uptown and Yoshi's (Found in the Bar/Nightclub section under Drink) keep the music moving far into the evening hours. And that is only the beginning.

Performing Arts

Nels Cline performing at Yoshi's

Events

Oakland is an amazingly diverse city, with roots in a range of cultures and traditions. Reflecting this, many annual events are held in Oakland usually but not always centered around Downtown.

  • Eat Real Fest, Jack London Square. Last weekend in September. A celebration of food and food culture, especially locally-grown ingredients. A combination county fair, food festival and block party, by their own admission. Entry is free, no food item over $5.
  • Halloween On Piedmont, Piedmont Ave. Last Saturday in October. The entire length of Piedmont Avenue from West MacArthur Blvd. to Pleasant Valley Ave. including Mountain View Cemetery participates in this event. Trick-or-treating is allowed at many of the stores, pumpkin patches, haunted houses, special movies at Piedmont Theater and so on. Security handled by a local biker group.
  • Oakland Art and Soul Weekend, Downtown Oakland. First weekend in August. Four stages worth of live music, in a city with a long history in the arts. Blues, Jazz, Rap, R&B and Indie performances abound. Advance Online (beginning in July): $10 adults, $5 seniors (65+) & youth (13-17), 12 & under free. At Gate: $15 adults, $8 seniors & youth, 12 & under free..
  • Oakland Chinatown Streetfest, Oakland Chinatown. Last weekend of August. A celebration of many cultures. Local bands, singers, demonstrations by local acrobats and even the Shao Lin monks, Taiko drumming, Polynesian dance, all reflecting the amazing diversity of Oakland. Free.
  • Oaktoberfest, MacArthur and Fruitvale (http://www.oaktoberfest.org/getting-to-oaktoberfest/), . First Saturday of October. The Dimond District's answer to Oktoberfest; biergartens, stuff from local breweries and even a root biergarten for those who want to celebrate without alcohol. $20 and up - see website.
  • Off the Grid (Oakland), 1000 Oak St (Outside the Oakland Museum of California, 10th St. between Oak St. and Fallon St.), +1 415 339-5888, . F 5PM-9PM. The Oakland branch of a food festival with food trucks and live music, held at various locations throughout the Bay Area. Admission to OMCA is half-price during this event, with access to all galleries. $20-40 depending on the truck.

Recreation and Film

Visiting the Raider Nation

Things to know when in the city with some of the craziest football fans:

  • There is a long history of tension between Raider fans and San Francisco 49er fans.
  • Be careful. Wearing the wrong team colors in some places in Oakland can lead to confrontations with some of the more wild fans.
  • The Raiders' reputation as outlaws started during the 1970s and early 1980s, under John Madden, during which time they won three Superbowls, and then-manager Al Davis moved the team to Los Angeles.
  • The present-day 'Raider Nation' is associated with the Coliseum's 'Black Hole' section, and during games, many fans wear elaborate and bizarre outfits.

Maybe a night of dancing or shaking yourself to the beat isn't quite what you had in mind. Three major sports teams and a whole host of theaters offer a distinct alternative, or even a prelude to a dip into the city's diverse nightlife. Oakland's tradition of movie theaters goes as far back as the First World War, and most of the theaters are in preserved and carefully restored style that can take the breath away.

The Raiders on O against the Falcons.
  • Oakland Raiders (NFL), O.Co Coliseum, 7000 Coliseum Way (connected to Coliseum BART), +1 510 569-2121. Known as "The Team of the Demons," the Raiders have a long tradition of performance-enhancing drug use, commanding the fierce support of Oaklanders and enjoying a large fan base across Alameda County. Be sure to enjoy the famous pre-game tailgating scene in the Coliseum parking lot, as well as the Black Hole Sun of hard-core fans in the endzone section. Most home games are not sold out, so it should be possible to buy tickets up until game time.
  • Oakland Athletics (MLB) (A's), O.Co Coliseum, 7000 Coliseum Way. With nine trophies to their name, four since relocating to Oakland, they are one of the most successful franchises in baseball. The A's also have the best deal in baseball: $2 tickets and $1 hot dogs for nearly every Wednesday game. The cheap tickets sell out quick, so buy a day or two in advance. In the baseball configuration, the Coliseum has the odd distinction of having the most foul territory of any MLB field, and by a large margin.
  • Golden State Warriors (NBA), Oracle Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way (adjacent to O.Co Coliseum, connected to Coliseum BART). The Warriors play a fast, loose, and desperate type of basketball, a departure from a typical winning NBA team. After moving from Philadelphia to San Francisco, the Warriors settled in the East Bay and won their second championship in the 1970's and a third in 2015. Prices are on the lower end for the NBA ($1 to over $25), though cheaper tickets sell out for most games and all tickets sell out for big games up to a week before.
The Grand Lake Theater.
  • Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave (Corner of Grand Ave. and Lake Park Ave. near I-580). This beautiful Art Deco theater (built in 1926) shows first-run movies. It has a spectacular neon sign that is lit on weekends, and is famous for the ultra-liberal (and sometimes conspiracy-minded) weekly sign proclamations from the theater owner. At Friday and Saturday evening shows, an organist plays standards in the main theater.
  • The New Parkway Theater, 474 24th St (One block west of Broadway), +1 510 658-7900. A second-run movie theater, the Parkway does not have screens in the traditional sense. Movies are projected at the flat white concrete walls, with large comfy couches to sit on. Best of all, they serve pizza, salads, and beer that you can eat and drink while you watch a movie.
  • Piedmont Theatre, 4186 Piedmont Ave (North end of Piedmont Avenue, at Linda), +1 510 985-1252. The oldest still-operating theater in Oakland (built in 1917), completely restored and renovated in 2010 shows first-run movies. Saturdays are frequently marked by the showing of art-house and independent films.
  • Regal Jack London Stadium 9, 100 Washington St (One block north of Jack London Square), +1 510 433-1325. Very large theater that shows first run movies, and usually has weekly rebate days that tend to lead to the place being full of kids.

Just for the kids

  • Children's Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave (enter via Grand Ave near Lake Merritt), +1 510 452-2259. Mixed seasonal hours, almost always open on weekends. Amazing, dynamic playground and destination for children, right on Lake Merritt. Please note that only adults with children can enter. Make sure you get a Magic Key.
  • Museum of Children's Arts (MOCHA), 1625 Clay St (Clay and 17th St. near San Pablo Ave.), +1 510 465-8770, . W-F 10AM-3PM, Sa noon-4PM, Su private events only. A hands-on art workshop aimed at kids ages 6-15, covering topics like illustration and architecture and sculpture and even DIY art to wear!

Learn

Buy

Bike shops

Bike shops are a reasonably easy find in Oakland - used as an alternative means of transportation, to say nothing of exercise, throughout the city.

  • Lakeview Bicycle, 622 Grand Ave (Between El Embarcadero and MacArthur Blvd.), +1 510 251-1422, . M-F 11AM-7PM, Sa 10AM-6PM. Locally owned, friendly no-attitude service and reasonable prices. $$.
  • Manifesto Bicycles, 421 40th St (Between Shafter Ave. and Webster St.), +1 510 595-1155. M-Tu,Th-Su 11AM-6PM. Though their inventory is dominated by single-gear bikes, they offer full and quite friendly repair services. $$.
  • Montano Velo, 4266 Piedmont Ave (Between Echo Ave. and Glenwood Ave.), +1 510 654-8356, . Tu-F 11AM-7PM, Sa 10AM-5PM. Good knowledge of bikes and bike repairs, excellent service - if they can't help you, they will help you find someone who can. Bike pump and cheap tubes for sale out front. $$.
  • Pioneer Bike Shop, 11 Rio Vista Ave (Between Fairmount Ave. and Piedmont Ave.), +1 510 658-8981. Tu-F 11AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM. A friendly little shop near the bustle of Piedmont Ave, that offers full repair service, regardless of how old your bike is, or how much work it needs. $.
  • Spokeland, 1121 64th St (Between San Pablo Ave. and Marshall St., located in the PLACE for Sustainable Living), +1 510 852-9253, . Su 1PM-6PM, Tu,Th 6PM-9PM. A not-for-profit DIY bike workshop that also offers classes and programs for cyclists of any level of experience.
  • Tip Top Bike Shop, 4800A Telegraph Ave (Corner of Telegraph Ave. and 48th St.), +1 510 444-4148, . M,W-F 11AM-7PM, Sa-Su noon-6PM. Friendly full service bike store and repair shop. No weekend appointments. $$.

Bookstores

  • AK Press, 674 23rd St. Ste A (Between San Pablo Ave. and MLK), +1 510 208-1700. M-F 9:30AM-6PM. Surprisingly friendly store and publisher with strong anarchist politics.
  • Bibliomania, 1816 Telegraph Ave (At 19th St.), +1 510 835-5733, fax: +1 510 835-1008, . M-Sa 11AM-5PM. Old-fashioned cluttered and friendly bookstore near the heart of Uptown.
  • Black Swan Books, 4236 Piedmont Ave (Between Entrada Ave. and Glenwood Ave.), +1 510 428-2881. M-Tu,Th-Sa 11AM-6PM, Su noon-6PM. Used bookstore with a Victorian look and shelves full of vintage volumes frequently from the 1930s and earlier.
  • The Bookmark Bookstore, 721 Washington St (Near 8th St.), +1 510 444-0473. Mo-F 10:30AM-5:30PM, Sa 10:30AM-3:30PM, Su 10:30AM-2PM. A nice not-for-profit used bookstore associated with the Oakland Public Library.
  • Book Zoo, 14 Glen Ave (Just off of Piedmont Ave. near 40th), +1 510 654-2665. Noon-8PM daily. A friendly, cluttered little bookstore that one would swear was from a fantasy series.
  • Diesel, A Bookstore, 5433 College Ave (At Kales Ave.), +1 510 653-9965. M-Th 10AM-8PM, F-Sa 10AM-10PM, Su 10AM-6PM. A spacious and clean spot that hosts many writers' events from near and abroad.
  • European Book Company, 6600 Shattuck Ave (at 66th St.), +1 510 922-9157. M-Sa 10AM-6PM. Specialists in books in other languages, dominantly in French, German and Spanish; selections from many nations.
  • A Great Good Place for Books, 6120 La Salle Ave (Halfway between Mountain and Moraga), +1 510 339-8210, fax: +1 510 339-7315, . M-W,Sa 9AM-6PM, Th-F 9AM-7:30PM, Su 9AM-5PM. Extremely friendly little bookstore in the suburbs of the Oakland Hills.
  • Laurel Book Store, 4100 MacArthur Blvd (At 39th Ave.), +1 510 531-2073. M 10AM-6PM, Tu-F 10AM-7PM, Sa 10AM-6PM. A new store, locally run and organized, dating to the beginning of the 21st.
  • Marcus Books, 3900 Martin Luther King Jr Way (At 39th St.), +1 510 652-2344, . M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-4PM. A branch of the nation's oldest black-owned bookstore, this continues the long-standing tradition. Shelves full of excellent works from authors of color, posters and a consciousness of black history in both Oakland and the country.
  • Owl and Company Bookshop, 3941 Piedmont Ave (Between Montell St. and Monte Vista Ave.), +1 510 788-5821. 11AM-6PM daily. A used bookstore with a somewhat Victorian look, and a focus primarily but not exclusively on psychology, philosophy and the occult.
  • Pegasus Books (Formerly Pendragon Books), 5560 College Ave, +1 510 652-6259, . M-Th 9AM-10PM, F-Sa 9AM-10:45PM, Su 10AM-10PM. Once a friendly neighborhood used book store, now a trendy hipster chain used book store.
  • Spectator Bookstore, 4163 Piedmont Ave (Near Linda Ave.), +1 510 4163. Su-Th 11AM-8PM, F 11AM-9PM, Sa 11AM-10PM. A small but well-organized used book store that has a variety of subjects available and even sells used DVDs and VHS tapes.
  • Walden Pond Books, 3316 Grand Ave (Near Elwood Ave.), +1 510 832-4438. Su-Th 10AM-9PM, F-Sa 10AM-10PM. A large used book store with friendly staff and an absolutely amazing selection.

Clothing

  • Estilo Clothing Co., 2323 Magnolia Street #3 (Near 24th St.), +1 510 332-4410. A slightly pricey t-shirt and hoodie shop featuring original art.
  • Fifty-seven Thirtythree, 550 2nd St (Between Jefferson St. & Clay St.), +1 510 842-3474. W-Su 11:30AM-5:30PM. Strange and often bizarre concepts in art abound at this decidedly pricey hipster tshirt, hoodie and art store.
  • The Hat Guys, 1764 Broadway (Near 19th St. and BART), +1 510 834-6868. M-Sa 10AM-6PM. The type of classic men's hat store you don't see mentioned on Wikis anymore -- except here. First-class service and a contagious passion for hats. The largest inventory of hats on the West Coast -- hats in all sizes and hats for women and children, too.
  • Oak Common, 3231 Grand Ave (Between Elwood Ave. & Santa Clara Ave.), +1 510 285-6629. Tu-Th,Su noon-6PM, F-Sa 11AM-7PM. Somewhat trendy store that features a lot of designs from local clothiers.
  • Oaklandish, 1444 Broadway (Between Telegraph Ave. & 15th St.), +1 510 251-9500. M-F 11AM-7PM, Sa 10AM-7PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Slightly pricey and cheesy T-shirts and hoodies touting the city, part of all proceeds are donated to local charities.
  • Show and Tell, 1300 Clay St. Suite 160 (Between 13th St. & 14th St.), +1 510 463-4964. M-F 11AM-5:30PM, Sa noon-3PM. Posh clothing designers with a strangely urban aesthetic. Expect to pay $150 or more.

Womens

  • Collage Clothing Lounge, 3344 Lakeshore Ave (Between Lake Park Ave. & Trestle Glen Rd.), +1 510 452-3344.
  • Fiddlesticks, 5337 College Ave (Between Bryant Ave & Manila Ave), +1 510 985-1845. Tu-F 11AM-6PM, Su noon-5PM.
  • Isha Couture, 2569 MacArthur Blvd (Between Wilson Ave & Laguna Ave), +1 510 530-0660. Tu-Sa 11AM-7PM.
  • Juniper Tree, 3303 Lakeshore Ave (Between Lake Park Ave & Trestle Glen Rd), +1 510 444-4650. 10:30AM-6:30PM daily.
  • Maribel, 3251 Lakeshore Ave (Between Lake Park Ave. & Trestle Glen Rd.), +1 510 419-0677. M-F 11AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 11AM-5PM.

Mens

Music

Shopping Centers

Though once a common sight in Oakland, with Eastmont Mall (the last operating fully enclosed mall) being used almost exclusively for other services, large enclosed malls are a thing of the past in Oakland. There are however a few open-air spots.

  • Jack London Square, 466 Water St (The very end of Broadway at the waterfront), +1 510 645-9292. JLS's mix of gentrification, working warehouses, and tourism make it a place to find pricey and stylish restaurants that give San Francisco a run for its money. You'll also find some off beat and interesting fusion restaurants, too.
  • Pacific Renaissance Plaza (Main entrance on 9th, between Webster and Franklin). An apartment complex and shopping center located at the heart of Chinatown.
  • Rockridge Shopping Center, 5108 Broadway (At Pleasant Valley Ave.). Home to the area's largest Safeway, this shopping center is about halfway between Rockridge and Piedmont Ave. and is frequented by residents from both.
  • Temescal Plaza, Corner of 51st St. and Telegraph Ave (Entrance on Telegraph). A friendly little strip-mall that makes a good starting point for those exploring or navigating the neighborhood.

Eat

The third great passion after art and music that is shared by residents and visitors to Oakland alike is food. Oakland is foodie country. No matter what your budget is - if you want to find something to eat from a hamburger to a full-course meal, you're going to find both and just about everything in between. Though any city would look spartan and lackluster next to San Francisco, Oakland is not found wanting.

Chinatown

Budget

  • Battambang Restaurant, 850 Broadway (Between 8th St. and 9th St.), +1 510 839-8815. M-Th 11AM-9:30PM, F 11AM-10PM, Sa 11AM-3PM, 5PM-10PM, Su 5PM-10PM. Delicious Cambodian food in a quiet, clean, casual with white tablecloth environment. $9–$15.
  • Golden Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant, 1301 Franklin St, +1 510 893-0383. 10AM-8PM daily. Serves vegetarian Vietnamese food, considered by some to be some of the best vegetarian food in the Bay Area.
  • New Gold Medal, 389 8th St (Between Webster St & Franklin St), +1 510 465-1940. 7AM-2AM daily. Decent to great Cantonese food with fast service, open late. A reasonable option after a late show or club night if you're already downtown. If you like duck, make sure to get some roast duck, and their BBQ pork is equally good. Excellent lobster, too.
  • Phnom Penh House, 251 8th St (Corner of Alice St and 8th St), +1 510 893-3825. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-9:30PM. A small and bright local favorite for inexpensive Cambodian food. Under $10.
  • Shan Dong Restaurant, 328 10th St (Between Harrison St. and Webster St.), +1 510 839-2299. M-Th 10AM-9:30PM, F-Su 10AM-10PM. Although California Governor Jerry Brown visited this place during his term as Mayor of Oakland (a framed picture of him and the restaurant owner is proudly displayed), this restaurant has the characteristics of a local, "dirty but delicious" gem. Noodles are made fresh, right in the restaurant. Often crowded with local Chinese, and so when busy one may have to wait a while to get a table. $10-20.
  • Shanghai Restaurant, 930 Webster St (Near 10th St.), +1 510 465-6878. Rivals the best you'll find in Shanghai. The decor is minimal but the staff is friendly. Xiaolongbao (steamed dumplings) and Szechuan style shredded pork are two highlights.

Mid-range

  • Spices 3, 369 12th St, +1 510 625-8889. M-F 10:30AM-11PM, Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su 11:30AM-10:30PM. Just as the name implies, spicy Szechuan food and hot pot, home of the Gangsta Casserole. Cash only. $11-30.
  • Vien Huong Restaurant, 712 Franklin St (Between 7th St. and 8th St.), +1 510 465-5938. 7:30AM-6PM daily. This is the best restaurant in Chinatown for a mix of Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine. Be sure to order a noodle soup and fish cake(with a sweet and sour salad).

Dimond

Budget

  • Ly Luck, 3537 Fruitvale Ave (Across the street from Safeway), +1 510 530-3232. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-9:30PM. Big portions, low prices.
  • Shaan Indian Cuisine, 3434 Fruitvale Ave (Between MacArthur and Bienati), +1 510 531-1172. M-Sa 11AM-3PM, 5PM-9:30PM. A small Indian restaurant that delivers.
  • Taqueria Los Comales, 2105 MacArthur Blvd (Near Dimond Ave), +1 510 531-3660. M 9AM-9PM, Tu-Sa 10AM-9PM. Small taqueria with low prices and large portions. Try the wet burritos. Under $10.
  • Tu Tai 3, 2141 MacArthur Blvd (Near the corner of MacArthur Blvd and Fruitvale Ave), +1 510 482-6188. M-Sa 10AM-9PM. A small, clean and inexpensive Vietnamese restaurant with good noodle dishes and sandwiches. Vegetarian-friendly. Under $10.

Mid-range

  • La Farine Bakery, 3411 Fruitvale Ave (Across from Farmer Joe's), +1 510 531-7750. 7:30AM–7PM daily. A classic French bakery, La Farine is rich in crusty sourdough, flavorful sweet bread, tarts and numerous sweet treats. The sour batard, rustic baguette and morning buns are highly recommended for a first survey of their offerings.
  • Nama, 3400 Fruitvale Ave (Streetside, completely enclosed by Farmer Joe's parking lot), +1 510 530-8564. M-F 11:30AM-3PM, 4:30PM-9:30PM, Sa-Su Noon-9:30PM. A full service Japanese restaurant and sushi bar that is a frequent stop for shoppers at Farmer Joe's. $15-30.
  • Southern Cafe, 2000 MacArthur Blvd (Corner of MacArthur Blvd and Canon Ave), +1 510 336-2013, . W-Sa 11AM-9PM, Su 1PM-8PM. An up-market soul food spot that serves all the favorites, from fried chicken to chitlins. $11-30.

Fruitvale

Budget

  • Los Cocos Salvadoran Restaurant, 1449 Fruitvale Ave (Between E 15th and Farnham), +1 510 536-3079. Tu,Th 10:30AM-7:30PM, W 10:30AM-6:30PM, F-Su 10:30AM-8:30PM. A little hole in the wall that serves up authentic Salvadorean food at reasonable prices.
  • Mariscos La Costa, 3625 International Blvd (Corner of International Blvd and 37th Ave), +1 510 533-9566. 8:30AM-7:30PM daily. A small, outdoor patio restaurant that features seafood but has the regular fare of typical Mexican restaurants. Authentically spicy, so make sure you request no salsa or jalapeños if that is your preference. A former burger joint turned-taqueria, this eatery is good for lunch and best enjoyed in fair weather with a refreshing agua fresca, as tables are exclusively on the outdoor patio. $5 or less.
  • San Jose Taqueria, 3433 International Blvd (Corner of International Blvd and 35th Ave). Authentic Mexican food, best known for its tacos. Very cheap.
  • Tacos El Gordo, 4201 International Blvd (Corner of International Blvd and 42nd Ave). Su-Th 5PM-1AM, F-Sa 5PM-3AM. Could be considered the best taco truck in Oakland, with fare that by far surpasses most restaurants. Their burritos are over 12" and unbeatable. Contrary to popular belief, taco trucks (especially this one) are sanitary and often have food as good or better than what one can find in standard restaurants. As there is no place to sit, people eat standing up next to the taco truck, or in their cars. There is a parking lot with free parking.
  • Two Mammas’ Vegan Kitchen, 3700 E 12th St Ste 1D (Near 37th, across from Ascend), +1 510 606-0596, . W-Su 10AM-3PM. A friendly little vegan/vegetarian spot for breakfast, lunch or brunch. Full catering, no take-out. Under $15.

Mid-range

  • Guadalajara, 1001 Fruitvale Ave., +1 510 533-7294, fax: +1 510 533-7296. Daily 7AM-3AM. This Fruitvale landmark is a full-service Mexican spot that serves from a gigantic menu that covers everything from simple salads to large seafood platters. There is on-site parking, a full tequila bar, vegetarian-friendly dishes and they even cater. If visiting during the later hours, be judicious. $10-25.

Grand Ave

Budget

  • Ahn's Quarter Pound Burger, 439 Grand Ave (Corner of Bellevue and Grand), +1 510 763-4328. M-F 9AM-9PM, Sa 9AM-10PM, Su 9AM-8PM. Very no-frills burger stop that has all the basics and its own parking lot. Under $10.

Mid-range

  • Bacheeso's, 246 Grand Ave (at Park View Terrace), +1 510 891-1496. Su,Tu-Th 10:30AM-10PM, F-Sa 10:30AM-11PM. The best Mediterranean brunch buffet anywhere (or order from the menu).
  • Enssaro, 357A Grand Ave (Between Elita and Perkins), +1 510 238-9050, . M, W, Th, Su 11:30AM-10PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-11PM. Come for the Wot and Ye Tibs, stay for the honey wine. Try the combo platters. Vegetarian-friendly. $10-20.
  • Jong Ga House, 372 Grand Ave (North of junction with Elita Ave), +1 510 444-7658, fax: +1 510 444-5274, . M-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-11PM. A large menu and excellent service, good if you want noodles or marinated meat or want to do all you can eat. Local parking problematic. $15-30.
  • Kitchen 388, 388 Grand Ave (Between Elita and Staten), +1 510 893-3005. F-Su 9AM-3PM. Upscale American restaurant specializing in breakfast and brunch $10-20.

Grand Lake / Lakeshore

Budget

  • Arizmendi, 3265 Lakeshore Ave (Across from Peet's and Trader Joe's), +1 510 268-8849. M 7AM-3PM, Tu-Su 7AM-7PM. A worker-owned bakery well-known for cheap and delicious baked goods and pizza. $7-15.
  • The Burrito Shop, 3256 Lakeshore Ave (Next to Peet's), +1 510 763-7976. M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 8AM-9:30PM. Nice little burrito shop - be sure to check their daily specials for the best deals. $5-15.
  • Mijori, 3260 Grand Ave (Halfway between Lake Park Ave. and Elwood), +1 510 465-8854. Lunch: M-Sa 11:30AM-2:30PM; dinner: M-Th 5PM-9PM, F-Sa 5PM-10PM. One of the best Japanese restaurants in the Bay Area. Usually a long wait for a table on the weekend.
  • Miss Saigon, 3345 Grand Ave (Near Elwood), +1 510 835-3474. M-Tu Th-Su 11AM-11PM. Great family-run Vietnamese restaurant with good food at good prices, and a ridiculously good beer selection. Local delivery, but it's always better fresh out of the kitchen.
  • Spettro, 3355 Lakeshore Ave (Between Lake Park Ave & Trestle Glen Rd), +1 510 451-7738. M-Th,Su 5PM-9:30PM, F-Sa 5PM-10PM. A neighborhood favorite, with cuisine ranging from Italian to Mexican to Thai. Order the Coconut Lime Mussels, and save some rosemary rolls for dipping. No corkage fee.

Mid-range

  • Boot and Shoe Service, 3308 Grand Ave (Halfway between Lake Park Ave. and Elwood Ave.), +1 510 763-2668. Breakfast/lunch: Tu-F 7AM-2PM, Sa-Su 8AM-2PM; dinner: Tu-Th 5:30PM-10PM, F-Sa 5PM-10:30PM, Su 5PM-10PM. Friendly hipster Italian and pizza restaurant that serves a variety of cocktails, and tends to be packed on the weekends.
  • Lin Jia Asian Kitchen, 3437 Lakeshore Ave. (Corner of Lakeshore and Mandana), +1 510 835-8322. 11:30AM-9:30PM daily. A nice, well-decorated little Chinese spot that's good for lunch or dinner. Online ordering. $10-20.
  • Michael Mischer Chocolates, 3352 Grand Ave (Near Elwood Ave.), +1 510 986-1822. Mo-Sa noon-9PM, Su noon-7PM. Incredible gourmet chocolate and gelato.
  • Neecha Thai, 3236 Grand Ave (Near Lake Park Ave and Santa Clara Ave), +1 510 451-9419, . M-F 11AM-3PM, 5PM-10PM, Sa-Su 11AM-10PM. A Spacious, quiet spot with low lights and good service. Vegetarian-friendly. $11-30.

Jack London Square

Mid-range

  • Bocanova, 55 Webster St (At Embarcadero West, near Jack London Square), +1 510 444-1233, . M-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F 11:30AM-11PM, Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-9:30PM. Pan-American cuisine that features Happy Hour every afternoon but Sunday, lunch and brunch deals and facilities for private parties.
  • Chop Bar, 247 4th Street #111 (At 4th & Alice), +1 510 834-2467, . M-Th 8AM-3PM, 5:30PM-10PM, F 8AM-3PM, 5:30PM-11PM, Sa 9AM-3PM, 5:30PM-11PM, Su 9AM-3PM, 5:30PM-10PM. A gathering spot for meat-eaters, based on a West African concept of the same name - it is a bit pricey for what is offered, but the quality of the meat is excellent. Full catering menu. $20-40.
  • Home of Chicken and Waffles, 444 Embarcadero West (Between Broadway & Franklin, on the corner), +1 510 836-4446. M-Th 10AM-2AM, F-Sa 10AM-4AM, Su 9AM-midnight. The best chicken and waffles in the Bay Area. Cheap, open late, good drink specials (though the beer & wine is pretty standard, nothing to get excited about), it's a local institution. A diner style decor, lots of televisions (some tables even have televisions), and wonderful, attentive service. $10-20.

Splurge

  • Il Pescatore, 31 Webster St (One block east of Jack London Square, along Water Street, on its own pier), +1 510 465-2188, fax: +1 510 465-0238, . Su-W 11:30AM-9:30PM, Th-Sa 11:30AM-10PM. Swanky, rather old school Italian restaurant right on the waterfront. $20-50.
  • Kincaid’s Bay House, 1 Franklin St (South edge of Jack London Square), +1 510 835-8600. Brunch: Sa-Su 11AM-2PM; lunch: M-Sa 11AM-4PM, Su 11AM-3PM; dinner: M-Th 5PM-9:30PM, F 5PM-10PM, Sa 4PM-10PM, Su 3PM-9PM; Lounge: Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM; Happy Hour: M-F 3PM-6PM. The east bay location of this national chain of seafood and steakhouses. A nice dining room that makes Scott's Seafood look old and stuffy. They also have a great happy hour where frugal foodies can pig out on seafood and finger foods every evening in the bar. $25-65.
  • Lungomare, One Broadway (Inside the Waterfront Hotel), +1 510 444-7171. M-Th 7AM-10PM, F 7AM-11PM, Sa 9AM-11PM, Su 9AM-10PM. Upscale restaurant that does full brunch, also has extensive local foods and wines. Nice pizza and housemade pastas. They have jazz in the lounge, outdoor seating, and free wifi. $30 and up.
  • Scott's Seafood Grill & Bar, 2 Broadway (South of main entrance to Jack London Square), +1 510 444-3456. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 10AM-9PM. Large, upscale, seafood restaurant on the waterfront, frequented for wedding receptions and business luncheons. They have a decent happy hour. Old school surf and turf $40 and up.

Old Oakland

Budget

  • Caffè 817, 817 Washington St (Inside the Ratto & Co. Building), +1 510 271-7965, fax: +1 510 271-0778, . M-F 7:30AM-5:30PM, Sa-Su 8:30AM-3PM. Stylish Italian caffè where patrons line up patiently for capuccini, chorizo & eggs, polenta, fresh fruit granola, panini sandwiches & salads. Under $10.
  • Le Cheval, 1007 Clay St (Between 10th and 11th Streets), +1 510 763-8495, fax: +1 510 763-7610. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-9:30PM, Su 4PM-9PM. Asian fusion cuisine for very low prices - most items on the menu are under $10.
  • Mexicali Rose, 701 Clay St (Corner of Clay and 7th, Parking entrance on 7th), +1 510 451-2450. Su-Th 10AM-10PM, F-Sa 10AM-11PM. Heaping portions of Mexican food, traditional decor, fixture in Old Oakland for over 30 years. $.

Mid-range

Splurge

  • The Fat Lady, 201 Washington St (Corner of Washington & 2nd St.), +1 510 465-4996, . M-F 11:30AM-2AM, Sa 9AM-2AM, Su 9AM-4PM. Victoriana themed restaurant that has been open since 1970. Fine art lines the walls, yet it's casual and fun for a nice dinner out. House made cocktails are delicious, a great wine list. They also have brunch. $20-40.
  • Seison Restaurant & Lounge, 495 10th St (Inside the Washington Inn Hotel), +1 510 832-7449, fax: +1 510 452-4436. M-F 11:30AM-2PM, 5:30PM-9PM. Seafood, some American standards and a full bar, definitely paying for the atmosphere. Above average prices.

Piedmont Ave

Budget

  • Simply Greek, 4060 Piedmont Ave. (Between Glen Ave. and the 41st St. junction), +1 510 428-0588. M-Th 11AM-8PM, F-Sa 11AM-9PM. A small gyro and souvlaki spot with very large portions and a flavorful menu. Try any of the gyros, and bring your appetite, especially when ordering the aptly-named Titan. Free Wifi. Under $10.

Mid-range

  • Baja Taqueria, 4070 Piedmont Ave, +1 510 547-2252. An avenue institution with lines sometimes out the doors for their great and innovative Baja style seafood and other Mexican food. The fish tacos are legendary and the lobster burritos hit home like nothing else. The portions are big and the prices are reasonable. Try the agua frescas too.
  • Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers, 4162 Piedmont Ave (Between 41st St. and Linda), +1 510 655-7180. Seasonal hours, see website. Barney's is a restaurant specializing in every kind of burger, from the simple to the exotic. They have more than just the simple neapolitan trio of flavors for shakes as well, and the same can be said of their fries. Vegetarian, too!
  • Fentons Creamery and Restaurant, 4226 Piedmont Ave, +1 510 658-7000. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight. This hundred-year-old ice cream parlor is a cornerstone of Oakland culture—one of those places that East Bay folks point to as making the region special. The parlor is mentioned in the 2009 Pixar film Up. Huge bowls of ice cream and sundaes of various sorts are served in this always-crowded eatery. Sugar-amped kids roam the aisles all day and into the evening, and although the place attracts a cannabis-enhanced college crowd towards the end of the night, it always has a sweet and wholesome atmosphere. An expensive treat, but the servings are huge. $5-15 large sundae or entree.
  • Judoku Sushi (Formerly Drunken Fish), 3314 Piedmont Ave (Near Broadway, not far from Pill Hill), +1 510 645-1912. M-F 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5PM-10PM, Sa-Su 5PM-10PM. A small, simple venue with dim lights and exceptionally friendly and attentive service. Look for the daily specials on sushi and drinks. $20-40.
  • La Farine Bakery, 4094 Piedmont Ave, +1 510 420-1777. 7:30AM–7PM daily. A classic French bakery, La Farine is rich in crusty sourdough, flavorful sweet bread, tarts and numerous sweet treats. The sour batard, rustic baguette and morning buns are highly recommended for a first survey of their offerings.
  • Shimizu Sushi, 4290 Piedmont Ave (Between Glenwood Ave & Echo Ave), +1 510 653-7672. M-Th 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9:30PM, F 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5PM-10PM, Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-9:30PM. A small sushi house with a wide range of choices for specialty sushi, as well as more standard Japanese fare. Popular with locals, family friendly, and laid back.
  • Vegan and Tikka Masala (Formerly House of Curries), 3814 Piedmont Ave (Near Yosemite Ave), +1 510 547-1550. 11AM-10PM daily. A small Indian restaurant that has complimentary rice and chai, weekday lunch buffets and a quiet, pleasant patio Vegetarian and Halal friendly. Free Wifi. $10-15.
  • Xyclo, 4218 Piedmont Ave (at Entrada Ave.), +1 510 654-2681. Noon-2:30PM, 5PM-10PM daily. Trendy Southeast Asian fusion restaurant.

Splurge

Rockridge

Mid-range

  • À Côté, 5478 College Ave, +1 510 655-6469. Su-Tu 5:30PM-10PM, W-Th 5:30PM-11PM, F-Sa 5:30PM-midnight. Charming small portion French meals in great ambiance.
  • Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers, 5819 College Ave (Near Chabot Rd.), +1 510 601-0444. Seasonal hours, see website. Barney's is a restaurant specializing in every kind of burger, from the simple to the exotic. They have more than just the simple neapolitan trio of flavors for shakes as well, and the same can be said of their fries. Vegetarian, too!
  • Bittersweet Cafe, 5427 College Ave (Near Kales Ave.), +1 510 654-7159, . M-W 8AM-7PM, Th-F 8AM-9PM, Sa 9AM-9PM, Su 9AM-7PM. A small cafe that specializes in all things chocolate. Relaxing atmosphere.
  • Cactus Taqueria, 5642 College Ave (Between Ocean View Dr. & Shafter Ave.), +1 510 658-6180. A family-friendly Mexican restaurant dedicated to freshness and sustainability while maintaining traditional flavors. Everything at Cactus Taqueria is made from scratch with no artificial ingredients or fillers. Top your taco, burrito, quesadilla, or enchilada with one of the multiple house-made salsas, and cool your mouth with a delicious glass of horchata.
  • La Farine Bakery, 6323 College Ave (Between Alcatraz and 63rd St.), +1 510 654-0338. 7:30AM–7PM daily. A classic French bakery, La Farine is rich in crusty sourdough, flavorful sweet bread, tarts and numerous sweet treats. The sour batard, rustic baguette and morning buns are highly recommended for a first survey of their offerings.
  • Noodle Theory, 6099 Claremont Ave (Corner of Claremont and College Aves), +1 510 595-6988. 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9:30PM daily. Asian Fusion food is a must see for the trendiest in California cuisine.
  • Soi4: Bangkok Eatery, 5421 College Ave (Between Kales Ave. and Manila Ave.), +1 510 655-0889. M-F 11:30AM-10PM, Sa-Su 5:30PM-10PM. Expansive selection of dishes at affordable prices especially given prompt service, simple and pleasant ambiance, solid wine by the glass list. A weeknight favorite. Seafood items among strongest on menu.
  • 1 Toast, 5900 College Ave (Corner of College Ave. and Chabot Rd.), +1 510 658-5900. Su-W noon-10PM, Th-Sa noon-11PM. Cool wine bar located in Rockridge. During lunch, it gets busy with stay at home mom's and kids, but in the evening it's a hip date and social spot. A bar serves only small plates, but the restaurant serves sit down dinner. An ever changing menu based on seasonal ingredients, craft cocktails and wine. Outdoor patio is right on College Avenue, and a great place for people watching. $15 per person without alcohol.
  • Zachary's Chicago Pizza, 5801 College Ave (Corner of College Ave. and Oak Grove Ave.), +1 510 655-6385. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-10:30PM. No one will dispute that Zachary's biggest fans come for their Windy City deep dish pizza (thin crust is also available). Not to be confused with “Sicilian” style, “Stuffed Crust” or other “deep dish” pizzas, Zachary's stuffed pizza starts with a thin layer of fresh made-from-scratch dough in a deep pan filled with a blend of quality cheeses and any combination of fresh ingredients. Another thin layer of dough is then added to cover the filling. The pizza is then topped with a mildly spicy, tangy tomato sauce and is cooked in an oven. This is one of the most popular spots in Oakland, so if you visit on a weekend, be prepared for a long wait. The best way around the crowd, if you aren't planning to dine in, is to call considerably ahead of time and place a take-out order and a window of time for pickup. $$$.

Temescal

Budget

  • Pizza Nation, 4919 Telegraph Ave (Near 49th Street), +1 510 658-7788. 11AM-11PM daily. Cheap pizza that boasts a delivery area that includes Oakland, Alameda, Emeryville and Albany. Usually under $25.

Mid-range

  • Burma Superstar, 4721 Telegraph Ave. (Between 47th St. and 48th St.), +1 510 652-2900, . 11:30AM-3PM, 5PM-10:30PM daily. A cozy restaurant that Burmese cuisine, as well as several Chinese and Thai dishes. Vegetarian-friendly, no reservations. Catering available. $11-30.
  • Doña Tomás (Restaurante Doña Tomás), 5004 Telegraph Ave (Near 51st St. and Temescal Plaza), +1 510 450-0522. M-Th 5:30PM-9:30PM, F 5:30PM-10PM, Sa 9:30AM-2:30PM, 5:30PM-10PM, Su 9:30AM-2:30PM. A rare Mexican restaurant that serves brunch, and authentic mole sauce and huitlacoche.
  • Genova Delicatessen, 5095 Telegraph Ave (In the mini-mall, between Peet's and Walgreens), +1 510 652-7401. M-Sa 8AM-7PM, Su 8AM-6PM. As authentic as any Italian deli from New York City, this is a long-time Temescal fixture.

Upper Telegraph

Mid-range

  • Cafe Colucci, 6427 Telegraph Ave, +1 510 601-7999. Hands down the best Ethiopian food in an area teeming with them. Served traditionally on injera, with an excellent selection of vegetarian dishes, friendly wait staff and excellent decor. Try the mitten shuro.
  • Dorsey's Locker, 5817 Shattuck Ave (Between 58th and 59th Streets), +1 510 428-1935, +1 510 601-9853 (take-out orders), fax: +1 510 601-9115, . M 4PM-9PM, Tu-W 11:30AM-9PM, Th-Sa 9AM-11PM, Su 9AM-8PM. Pricey soul food spot that does full catering, for just about anywhere in the Bay Area. Expensive.
  • Saysetha Thai Cuisine, 6230 Telegraph Ave (South of Alcatraz Ave. near 63rd), +1 510 653-2837. 11:30AM-3PM, 5PM-10:30PM daily. A small Thai restaurant with simple decor, low prices and a massive menu. Take-out orders welcome. $10-20.

Uptown

Budget

  • Taiwan Bento, 412 22nd St (Near Franklin St curve), + 1 510 250-9858. M-F 8:30AM-8PM. Comfy spot that does Taiwanese and Chinese cuisine in bento boxes, also noodles. Under $15.

Mid-range

Splurge

  • Flora, 1900 Telegraph Ave (at 19th), +1 510 286-0100. Expensive upscale art deco restaurant with an impressive cocktail and wine list. It's named Flora because it used to be a flower shop. Have a pre-dinner cocktail at their bar next door, Fauna. They also offer a vegetarian special (Flora) and a meat based special (Fauna), eat evening. $20-40.
  • Luka's Taproom & Lounge, 2221 Broadway (at W. Grand Ave.), +1 510 451-4677. Excellent food with a great selection of Belgian Ales, a small dance floor in a separate room, and a pool table in the back. Popular for lunch and happy hour during the work week, and brunch on the weekend. $20-35.
  • Ozumo, 2251 Broadway (Corner of Broadway and Grand Ave.), +1 510 286-9866. Lunch: M-F 11:30AM-2PM; dinner M-Th 5PM-10PM, F-Sa 5PM-10:30PM; sake lounge: M-Th 4PM-10PM, F-Sa 4PM-10:30PM; happy hour: M-Sa 4PM-7PM. Very upscale sushi and sake spot in Uptown known for its nightlife and excellent sake selection. Reservations can be made through their website - and you're likely to need one if having dinner here near the weekend. Spaces available for large groups and/or private parties. $$$$.

West Oakland

Budget

  • Pretty Lady, 1733 Peralta St (Between 17th St & 18th St), +1 510 832-1213. Go for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Korean American diner with a friendly staff. The only seating is bar stools.

Mid-range

  • Brown Sugar Kitchen, 2534 Mandela Pkwy, +1 510 839-7685, . Serving what chef Tanya Holland calls "new style down home" cuisine for breakfast, lunch & brunch. Favorites include cornmeal waffle, BBQ shrimp & grits, baby back ribs and smoked pork hash. A great wine selection, local draft beers, and homemade desserts which change daily. On Sundays they are usually packed.

Etc.

Budget

  • Champa Garden, 2102 8th Ave (Between 21st St & 10th St), +1 510 238-8819. Lunch: 11AM-3:30PM daily; dinner: M-Th,Su 5PM-9PM, F-Sa 5PM-10PM. Located in a residential neighborhood, you will find this cozy restaurant that has a flair of Southern Asia flavors. The mix of Vietnamese, Lao, Thai and Mien cuisine makes this restaurant a unique one. Make sure to get an order of Pad Thai.
  • Westbrooks Bar B Que (Formerly Simpsons), 5250 Foothill Blvd (At Congress Ave.), +1 510 479-7636. M-Sa 11AM-9PM, Su 10AM-8PM. No frills barbecue and seafood - specializes in the standards.

Mid-range

  • Kansai, 4345 Telegraph Ave (Between 44th St & 43rd St), +1 510 658-7273. M-Sa 11:30AM-2AM, Su 11:30AM-midnight. Extensive sushi menu and good service. Has their own private parking lot - a rare sight in Oakland. $.
  • Lake Chalet, 1520 Lakeside Dr (between 14th and 17th), +1 510 208-5253. Fantastic seafood and steaks in an elegant dining room overlooking Lake Merritt. When the weather is warm you can have lunch or happy hour outside on the pier. While lunch can be casual, they have decent seafood. The wine list is rather generic, but they do have their own local beer. You can also take a gondola ride around the lake. $15-35.
  • Mua, 2442a Webster St (At Broadway, Near 25th St.), +1 510 238-1100. M-Th 5:30PM-11PM, F 11:30-3PM, 5:30-midnight, Sa 5:30PM-midnight, Su 5PM-10:30PM. A restaurant to see and be seen. In an old warehouse, it's decorated in funky contemporary art and features a live DJ performing while you enjoy dinner on the weekends. Make a reservation, this place gets out of control busy on the weekends. A mix of small and large plates. Highlights include the ahi tuna sashimi and their house made veggie burger.
  • Pho 84, 354 17th St (Coming from downtown, take Broadway to 17th, then turn right and park on the street), +1 510 832-1338. 5:30PM-9PM daily. Some of the best Vietnamese food in town, served in a subdued atmosphere. The pho bo and carpaccio are definitely worth trying. Moderately priced..
  • Quinn's Lighthouse, 1951 Embarcadero East (In Embarcadero Cove Marina), +1 510 536-2050, fax: +1 510 535-1285, . 11:30PM-9PM daily. A restaurant offering a variety of dishes ranging from meat and pasta to fresh seafood located in a rebuilt lighthouse dating to the earliest days of the 20th century. Drinks served at the attached Upper Deck Pub. Prices from $20-40 per meal.
  • Souley Vegan, 301 Broadway (Corner of Broadway & 3rd), +1 510 922-1615, . Tu-Sa 11AM-9PM. A famous foodie spot, it's one of the only vegan soul food restaurants in the country. Yes, that's right - vegan soul food! Popular with locals, they serve local beer on tap, have a full bar, and play soul music as you enjoy your eats. The lentils are delicious and the tofu BBQ, too! $10-15.

Drink

Pubs

  • Barclay's Restaurant & Pub, 5940 College Ave (Between Chabot Rd & Harwood Ave), +1 510 654-1650. M-F 11AM-midnight, Sa-Su 10AM-midnight. Featuring the best beer selection in Rockridge and good pub food, Barclay's is a fun place to meet friends and watch a game. A short walk from the Rockridge BART station.
  • Ben and Nick's Bar & Grill, 5612 College Ave (Between Keith Ave & Ocean View Dr), +1 510 923-0327. Bar: 11:30AM-2AM daily; kitchen: Sa-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F 11:30AM-11PM. Good beer selection and the bacon cheeseburger is to die for.
  • Cato's Ale House, 3891 Piedmont Ave (Near Montel St), +1 510 655-3349. Bar: M-Th,Sa 11:30AM-midnight, F 11:30AM-1AM, Su 11:30AM-10PM; kitchen: Sa-W 11:30AM-10PM, Th-F 11:30AM-11PM. A popular pub and restaurant with a great local feel.
  • Commonwealth Cafe & Pub, 2882 Telegraph Ave (Telegraph and 29th St.), +1 510 663-3001. M-Sa 9AM-10:30PM, Su 9AM-3:30PM. Good pub food with a fresh twist, microbrew beers on tap, and cafe.
  • The District, 827 Washington St (Between 8th Street and 9th Street), +1 510 272-9110, . M-F 4PM-close, Sa 5PM-close; brunch: Sa-Su 11AM-2:30PM. A friendly pub that serves brunch and dinner, in addition to cheese, wine and whiskey.
  • Longitude (Formerly Disco Volante), 347 14th St, +1 510 465-2008, . Tu-Th,Su 4PM-midnight, F-Sa 4PM-1:30AM. Slightly spendy Tiki bar that opened in 2014. $$$.
  • Luka's Taproom & Lounge, 2221 Broadway (at W. Grand Ave.), +1 510 451-4677. Excellent food with a great selection of Belgian Ales, a small dance floor in a separate room, and a pool table in the back.
  • McNally's Irish Pub, 5352 College Ave (between Bryant Ave & Manila Ave), +1 510 655-3929. Su-Tu 2PM-2AM, W-Sa noon-2AM. A standard Irish Pub in Rockridge.
  • 1 Pacific Coast Brewing Company, 906 Washington St (at 10th St), +1 510 836-2739. A popular brewpub with a wide selection of both their own brews and many others. Large group friendly, events weekly. $.
  • The Trappist, 460 8th St (Half a block from Broadway, in Old Oakland), +1 510 238-8900. Su-Th noon-midnight, F-Sa noon-1AM. Large selection of both Belgian-style and local beers. Knowledgeable staff and good bottle selections for the road.
  • The Upper Deck Pub, 1951 Embarcadero East (In the Embarcadero Cove Marina), +1 510 536-2050, fax: +1 510 535-1285. 11:30AM-close daily. Nautically-themed pub in the upper floor of Quinn's Lighthouse.
  • The Warehouse Bar and Grill (The Warehouse), 402 Webster St (On the corner of 4th and Webster), +1 510 451-3161. Noon-2AM daily; grill closes at 9PM. A police and related services bar, with emblems of many dozen police departments and other organizations on the wall. The Warehouse is also one of Oakland's only proper "bar and grill" establishments, with a great corned beef Reuben. It's large enough to serve as both a decent restaurant by day and a good-sized bar at night. A private room is available for groups. $.

Bars and nightclubs

  • The Alley, 3325 Grand Ave (Between Lake Park Ave & Santa Clara Ave), +1 510 444-8505. Sing along with pianist Rod Dibble as he plays the oldies.
  • Bar 355, 355 19th St (btwn Franklin and Webster), +1 510 451-3355. Prohibition-era atmosphere bar with early-20s clientele, reasonable prices.
  • Cafe Van Kleef, 1621 Telegraph Ave (Between 16th and 17th), +1 510 763-7711. M 4PM-2AM, Tu-F noon-2AM, Sa-Su 6PM-2AM. Artsy bar with live music. Greyhounds are the house drink--their margaritas are good too. Vodka Greyhounds are the default; if you want gin, you must specify.
  • Easy Lounge, 3255 Lakeshore Ave (next to Arizmendi), +1 510 338-4911, . Su-F 4:30PM-2AM, Sa 2PM-2AM. The reigning see-and-be-seen king in Oakland. Farmer's Market Cocktail Hour (new menu every week with drinks made from Grand Lake farmer's Market produce) every Saturday afternoon.
  • George Kayes, 4044 Broadway (at 41st), +1 510 547-9374. A neighborhood dive, full of interesting characters behind and above the bar. Allows dogs and food from the outside. $.
  • Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon, 48 Webster St (Near Jack London Square), +1 510 839-6761, . M 3PM-11PM, Tu-Th,Su noon-11PM, F-Sa noon-1AM. An old-fashioned saloon, dating all the way to the 1880s, purported to have been a frequent stop for a young Jack London.
  • Kingman's Lucky Lounge, 3332 Grand Ave, +1 510 465-5464. 5PM-2AM daily. A more upscale bar with a mixed crowd of people.
  • Kona Club, 4401 Piedmont Ave (at Pleasant Valley Ave.), +1 510 654-7100. 2AM-2PM daily. Enjoy a tropical drink in this tiki bar, and lift up the grass skirt on the anatomically correct hula girl statue.
  • The Layover, 1517 Franklin St (between 15th and 17th), +1 510 834-1517. M-F 5PM-1:45AM, Sa 8PM-1:45AM, Su special events only. A small, cozy lounge.
  • Radio Bar (Radio), 435 13th St (Three doors from Tribune Tower), +1 510 451-2889. A small hipster bar with a cool DJ. Shares an all-red lighting scheme (and an owner) with the Ruby Room. House cocktails are considerably more complex than you would expect, including early 20th century drinks, and most are worth trying.
  • Ruby Room, 132 14th St (Between Madison & Jefferson, across from Central Library), +1 510 444-7224. 4PM-2AM daily. A larger bar with a similar ambiance to the Radio Bar (with which it shares an owner), this includes a pool (billiards) room.
  • The Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph Ave (Near 19th Street), +1 510 451-8100. M 8PM-2AM, W-Sa 9PM-2AM. Though named a nightclub and they do serve drinks, it's dominantly a performance venue for bands or singers of just about any kind of music. Price varies.
  • White Horse Bar, 6551 Telegraph Ave (Two blocks north of Alcatraz, at 66th Street), +1 510 652-3820. M-Th 3PM-2AM, F-Su 1PM-2AM. Friendly gay bar in North Oakland, beware of the $25 minimum charge when paying with a credit card.
  • Yoshi's, 510 Embarcadero West (Around the corner from Regal Jack London), +1 510 238-9200. Dinner: M-W 5:30PM-9PM, Th-Sa 5:30PM-10PM, Su 4PM-9PM; happy hour: M-Sa 4:30PM-6PM. Though they serve sushi and drinks, the real draw is the music - Yoshi's is among the most well-known jazz clubs on the West Coast.

Coffee, Tea and Chocolate

  • Caffe Trieste, 4045 Piedmont Ave (Between 40th St & Glen Ave.), +1 510 658-2744. Su-Th 7AM-10PM, F-Sa 7AM-11PM. An old-school Italian coffeehouse that does all-day breakfast and desserts right from the old country.
  • The Coffee Mill, 3363 Grand Ave (Corner of Grand and Elwood), +1 510 465-4224. 7AM-6PM daily. A nice, friendly little coffee shop and bakery that is in a good spot for having breakfast or lunch inside or outside, depending on the weather. Also has live jazz on Sunday evenings.
  • Gaylord's Caffe Espresso, 4150 Piedmont Ave (Near 41st St.), +1 510 658-2877. M-Sa 6:30AM-midnight, Su 7AM-midnight. A nice neighborhood coffeehouse that is usually crowded, also has an old organ for a countertop.
  • Hive The Place To Be, 2139 MacArthur Blvd (Near Fruitvale Ave), +1 510 482-4483, . M-F 7AM-6PM, Sa-Su 8AM-6PM. A smart little breakfast and sandwich shop with many gluten-free options. Free wifi. Under $10.
  • Modern Coffee, 411 13th St (Inside Tribune Tower), +1 510 835-8000. M-F 7AM-5PM. A nice little coffeehouse that serves a variety of teas and coffees and crunchables.
  • Peet's Coffee and Tea. Based in nearby Berkeley, Peet's is an East Bay favorite for coffee, tea and pastries.
  • Peet's Financial District, 1111 Broadway, +1 510 844-0061. M-F 5:30AM-7PM, Sa 7AM-4PM.
  • Peet's Dimond, 3401 Fruitvale Ave, +1 510 842-0203. M-F 5:30AM-8PM, Sa 6AM-9PM, Su 6AM-7PM.
  • Peet's Lakeshore, 3258 Lakeshore Ave, +1 510 832-6761. M-F 5:30AM-9PM, Sa 6AM-9PM, Su 6AM-8PM.
  • Peet's Montclair, 2066 Antioch Ct, +1 510 339-6075. M-Th 5:30AM-8PM, F 5:30AM-9PM, Sa 6AM-8PM, Su 6AM-7PM.
  • Peet's Piedmont Ave., 4050 Piedmont Ave, +1 510 655-3228. M-F 5:30AM-9PM, Sa 6AM-9PM, Su 6AM-8PM.
  • Peet's Temescal, 5095 Telegraph Ave. Suite #1, +1 510 899-6230. M-Sa 5:30AM-8PM, Su 5:30AM-7PM.
  • Perch (Formerly Grand Lake Coffee House), 440 Grand Ave (Near the corner of Grand and Bellevue), +1 510 922-1507, . M-F 7:30AM-9PM, Sa-Su 8AM-9PM. Renovated in late 2014, this is a friendly little coffeehouse, complete with hand-painted shades and a play area for kids. Under $10.
  • Spasso Coffeehouse, 6021 College Ave (Between Armanino Ct & Harwood Ave.), +1 510 428-1818. M-F 7AM-7:30PM, Sa-Su 7:30AM-7:30PM.
  • Timeless Coffee, 4252 Piedmont Ave (Near Glenwood Ave), +1 510 985-1360, . M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa-Su 8AM-7PM. An upscale coffeehouse and bakery known best for brunches and hand-made pastries. $11-30.

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

  • Hilton Oakland Airport, 1 Hegenberger Rd (At Doolittle Dr., near Oakland Airport), +1 510 635-5000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Parking is $11.75, no valet. Full access to computers, fax and copiers 24 hours daily. Attached sports bar with 13 HDTVs. Fitness center, heated outdoor pool. Breakfast buffet. Shuttle service to Oakland Airport as well as the Coliseum and the Oracle Arena for sports or performance events. Around $150-200 per night.
  • Homewood Suites by Hilton Oakland-Waterfront, 1103 Embarcadero (Near 10th Ave.), +1 510 663-2700. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. An all-suite extended stay hotel with fully-equipped kitchens. Complimentary hot breakfast daily, dinner with beer and wine M-Th, and high-speed Internet.
  • Oakland Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway (At 11th St.), +1 510 451-4000, fax: +1 510 835-3466. Onsite restaurant, fitness center and heated swimming pool. Access to downtown shuttle system.
  • The Waterfront Hotel, 10 Washington St (Facing the main entrance to Jack London Square), +1 510 836-3800, toll-free: +1 888 842-5333, fax: +1 510 832-5695. Large hotel with a nautical theme, swimming pool and enclosed restaurant.

Stay safe

Oakland has some problems with both property and violent crime, especially toward the eastern part of the city. The parts of the city with the most serious crime problems are unlikely to be interesting to tourists, but be careful when you venture into areas where there are not many people on the streets, keep your wits about yourself, and be aware of where you are at all times. At the same time, there is no reason to be paranoid, just judicious. The hills of Oakland are safe when it comes to violent crime but there is still property crime there. Think twice about going to West or East Oakland at night.

Connect

The area code for Oakland is 510. You need to only dial the seven digit phone number for calls within the city. For calls within the US or Canada, dial 1+area code+number, and for international calls, dial 011+country code+city code(if applicable)+number. Pay phones are getting less and less common with the increasing popularity of mobile phones. Unfortunately, broken phones and empty phone booths are also a common sight. When you do find one, keep in mind that they only take coins and phone cards with a dial-to-use number. Local calls start at $0.50.

Internet access is available for free or with a fee in cafes and coffeehouses in several neighborhoods throughout the city, most notably the Financial District, Piedmont Avenue and Rockridge. Internet cafes, though once a common sight in Oakland, have in recent years dwindled down to nothing. The best bet for finding free wi-fi Internet is to find one of the larger hotels, one of the branches of the Oakland Public Library, or one of the more well-known coffeehouses especially Starbucks or Peet's.

USPS Mailboxes are a common sight throughout the city, and the distinctive blue mailboxes may be found virtually anywhere. Other packing and shipping companies are also easy to find, for wider options than postage stamps and plain envelopes.

Cope

Parks

Parks are a common sight in Oakland, ranging from the small green with attached baseball field to the large wilderness of Redwood or Joaquin Miller in the hills. They are therefore easy to find, and if one needs some time away from the hustle and bustle of city streets and traffic, especially in the case of Lake Merritt, they may be a short walk away.

Publications

  • The Catholic Voice. A newspaper, as the name implies, aimed at the city's Catholic residents.
  • De Lauer's Super News Stand, 1310 Broadway (Between 13th St. & 14th St.), +1 510 451-6157. 24 hours daily. Downtown's source for publications from around the world.
  • The East Bay Express. A free newspaper distributed throughout the East Bay, as the title implies.
  • Issues, 20 Glen Ave (At Piedmont Ave.), +1 510 652-5700, . M-Sa 9AM-8PM, Su 9AM-6PM. A magazine store that covers just about everything that can be imagined in magazine form.
  • The Joint Forces Journal. A privately produced newspaper primarily with the armed forces in mind. $13/6 months, $25/year.
  • The Montclarion. A free newspaper associated dominantly with Montclair and Piedmont Ave.
  • The Oakland Tribune. Oakland's main newspaper, though considered by many to be inferior to the many free newspapers.

Smoking

As with the rest of California, tobacco-friendly venues are very rare in Oakland. State labor laws prohibit smoking in places of employment with only a few exceptions. Hotel lobbies may have a smoking section, and many hotels and motels have rooms and areas specifically for smokers. There are a handful of tobacco shops in the city, and the laws permit smoking in places such as privately-owned casinos and bingo halls and such, but by and large, smoking in public is very rarely permitted.

  • The Piedmont Tobacconist, 17 Glen Ave (Near Piedmont Ave.), +1 510 652-7473, . Tu-Th 10AM-6PM, F 10AM-7PM, Sa 10AM-5PM. A rare sight in the Bay Area, a full-service tobacconist. Very friendly service, and a large range of choices of cigars and pipes, and will even show you how to roll your own cigarettes.

Go next

  • San Francisco. Oakland's neighbor across the Bay. (NOTE: Bridge tolls are paid crossing into San Francisco, not exiting it.)
  • Berkeley. Eclectic, political and always interesting neighbor to the north.
  • San Leandro. Oakland's quieter suburban neighbor to the south, home to worldwide firms, malls, regional parks and shorelines.
  • Alameda. Oakland's sleepy island suburb to the west, home to the former Alameda Naval Air Station, and miles of pretty beaches and Victorian houses.
  • Emeryville. Home of Pixar and several major animation schools, as well as plenty of shopping and industry.
Routes through Oakland
San Francisco  W  N  EmeryvilleSacramento
San RafaelEmeryville  N  S  PiedmontLivermore
END  N  S  San LeandroSan Jose
END  W  E  OrindaWalnut Creek
RichmondEmeryville  N  S  END
Millbrae/SFOSan Francisco  W  NE  OrindaPittsburg
RichmondBerkeley  N  S  San LeandroFremont
Daly CitySan Francisco  W  SE  San LeandroDublin/Pleasanton
SacramentoEmeryville  N  S  HaywardSan Jose
BakersfieldEmeryville  N  S  END


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