Sandy’s Guidebook to Oahu

Sandy
Sandy’s Guidebook to Oahu

Food scene

Cheap, fast & casual and authentic. Udon made fresh and none of the bowls exceed $10. Lines may be long. Best for solo traveler or couples.
176 locals recommend
Marukame Udon Waikiki
2310 Kūhiō Ave.
176 locals recommend
Cheap, fast & casual and authentic. Udon made fresh and none of the bowls exceed $10. Lines may be long. Best for solo traveler or couples.
Cheap no-frills fresh poke, lots of variety and hole-in-the-wall place. Recommend getting the half spicy ahi and half shoyu. They give you a local hawaiian drink with each poke bowl.
87 locals recommend
Ono Seafood
747 Kapahulu Ave
87 locals recommend
Cheap no-frills fresh poke, lots of variety and hole-in-the-wall place. Recommend getting the half spicy ahi and half shoyu. They give you a local hawaiian drink with each poke bowl.
Hole-in-the-wall crack seed stores where you can get lots of local treats and locals waiting for authentic shave ice! A variety of toppings from condensed milk, mochi balls, to azuki beans.
58 locals recommend
Waiola Shave Ice
3113 Mokihana St
58 locals recommend
Hole-in-the-wall crack seed stores where you can get lots of local treats and locals waiting for authentic shave ice! A variety of toppings from condensed milk, mochi balls, to azuki beans.
Best acai bowl on the island. Really good fresh fruit toppings and delicious crunchy bee pollen.
62 locals recommend
da Cove Health Bar and Cafe
3045 Monsarrat Ave
62 locals recommend
Best acai bowl on the island. Really good fresh fruit toppings and delicious crunchy bee pollen.
High-end chain serving notable chef Roy Yamaguchi's Hawaiian fusion fare in a contemporary setting.
57 locals recommend
Roy's Waikiki
226 Lewers St
57 locals recommend
High-end chain serving notable chef Roy Yamaguchi's Hawaiian fusion fare in a contemporary setting.
Duke's Waikiki is a popular option known for its beachfront location, surf 'n' turf, tiki vibe & umbrella drinks
Dukes Lane
Dukes Lane
Duke's Waikiki is a popular option known for its beachfront location, surf 'n' turf, tiki vibe & umbrella drinks
Local specialty near the North Shore. Can smell the BBQ a mile away. Super delicious!
21 locals recommend
Mike's Kiawe Broiled Huli Huli Chicken
56-565 Kamehameha Hwy
21 locals recommend
Local specialty near the North Shore. Can smell the BBQ a mile away. Super delicious!
Famous North Shore shrimp shack. Garlic shrimp will cause you to lick your hands. Long line.
156 locals recommend
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
66-472 Kamehameha Hwy
156 locals recommend
Famous North Shore shrimp shack. Garlic shrimp will cause you to lick your hands. Long line.
Famous Portuguese malasadas bakery. Many flavors available (custard, haupia, chocolate etc.) but my favorite is still the original sugar coated malasadas. Finger-licking good!
230 locals recommend
Leonard's Bakery
933 Kapahulu Ave
230 locals recommend
Famous Portuguese malasadas bakery. Many flavors available (custard, haupia, chocolate etc.) but my favorite is still the original sugar coated malasadas. Finger-licking good!
Large waterside hub showcasing locally sourced seafood & dishes mixing French & Hawaiian styles. Casual and fast.
77 locals recommend
Nico's Pier 38
1129 N Nimitz Hwy
77 locals recommend
Large waterside hub showcasing locally sourced seafood & dishes mixing French & Hawaiian styles. Casual and fast.
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort's Italian eatery is a casual stop for sea urchin & jumbo pasta plates.
39 locals recommend
Arancino di Mare
2552 Kalakaua Ave
39 locals recommend
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort's Italian eatery is a casual stop for sea urchin & jumbo pasta plates.
Go for haupia, lomi lomi salmon, poke, and kalua pork and other classic Hawaiian dishes in casual, no frills atmosphere.
86 locals recommend
Helena's Hawaiian Food
1240 N School St
86 locals recommend
Go for haupia, lomi lomi salmon, poke, and kalua pork and other classic Hawaiian dishes in casual, no frills atmosphere.
Gourmet classic Hawaiian plate lunch spot. Local favorite.
8 locals recommend
Kaka'ako Kitchen & Catering
1200 Ala Moana Blvd
8 locals recommend
Gourmet classic Hawaiian plate lunch spot. Local favorite.
Popular local chinese favorite.
16 locals recommend
Fook Yuen Seafood Restaurant
1960 Kapiolani Blvd
16 locals recommend
Popular local chinese favorite.

Sightseeing

Only royal palace in the United States!
263 locals recommend
Iolani Palace
364 S King St
263 locals recommend
Only royal palace in the United States!
Great short hike with rewarding panoramic views of Waikiki and downtown Honolulu and East Honolulu.
250 locals recommend
Diamond Head
250 locals recommend
Great short hike with rewarding panoramic views of Waikiki and downtown Honolulu and East Honolulu.
Famous snorkeling spot. Get there early to snag parking! Closed on Tuesdays.
531 locals recommend
Hanauma Bay
7455 Kalanianaʻole Highway
531 locals recommend
Famous snorkeling spot. Get there early to snag parking! Closed on Tuesdays.
Strenuous hike up a dormant volcano. Majestic panoramic views at the top.
116 locals recommend
Koko Head Park
Koko Head Park Road
116 locals recommend
Strenuous hike up a dormant volcano. Majestic panoramic views at the top.
Great surfing and tanning spot on East Oahu. Also offers paragliding lessons.
41 locals recommend
Makapu'u Beach Park
41 locals recommend
Great surfing and tanning spot on East Oahu. Also offers paragliding lessons.
Finest sand on the island. Best in the mornings. Closest public bathroom is in Kailua Beach Park. Nearby Pillbox hike is best place to catch sunrise on Oahu.
11 locals recommend
Lanikai
11 locals recommend
Finest sand on the island. Best in the mornings. Closest public bathroom is in Kailua Beach Park. Nearby Pillbox hike is best place to catch sunrise on Oahu.
Must-see historical spot. Learn about US' involvement in World War II and the war in the Pacific. Super educational and moving.
97 locals recommend
Pearl Harbor
97 locals recommend
Must-see historical spot. Learn about US' involvement in World War II and the war in the Pacific. Super educational and moving.
Cute local surfing town with tons of art galleries, restaurants and local flavor.
273 locals recommend
Haleiwa
273 locals recommend
Cute local surfing town with tons of art galleries, restaurants and local flavor.
Hike in rainforest. Arrive at beautiful waterfall. Dive in. Enough said.
198 locals recommend
Manoa Falls
37 Manoa Rd
198 locals recommend
Hike in rainforest. Arrive at beautiful waterfall. Dive in. Enough said.
Hike in Hawaiian rainforest on East Oahu. Arrive at waterfall. Dive in. Not as dramatic as Manoa Falls.
43 locals recommend
Maunawili Falls
43 locals recommend
Hike in Hawaiian rainforest on East Oahu. Arrive at waterfall. Dive in. Not as dramatic as Manoa Falls.
Great for families. See dolphin show. Touch marine animals.
11 locals recommend
Sea Life Park station
11 locals recommend
Great for families. See dolphin show. Touch marine animals.
Easy photo-op. Great views. Also great easy hike option.
12 locals recommend
Makapu'u Point
12 locals recommend
Easy photo-op. Great views. Also great easy hike option.
Visit Makaha Beach on West Oahu for some local surfing/beach action. Few tourists. More authentic experience.
12 locals recommend
Mākaha
12 locals recommend
Visit Makaha Beach on West Oahu for some local surfing/beach action. Few tourists. More authentic experience.
Near several high-end vacation resorts, the park is perfect for families.
19 locals recommend
Ko olina beach
19 locals recommend
Near several high-end vacation resorts, the park is perfect for families.

Shopping

Classic outdoor mall. Beautiful Banyan tree. Mix of luxury and middle-tier shops and restaurants. Good place to rest your feet!
212 locals recommend
International Market Place
2330 Kalakaua Ave
212 locals recommend
Classic outdoor mall. Beautiful Banyan tree. Mix of luxury and middle-tier shops and restaurants. Good place to rest your feet!
Duty-free shopping at its best! Luxury brands galore!
31 locals recommend
T Galleria by DFS, Hawaii
330 Royal Hawaiian Ave
31 locals recommend
Duty-free shopping at its best! Luxury brands galore!
Largest open air mall in the world and next door to Waikiki. Shop 'til you drop!
829 locals recommend
Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana Blvd
829 locals recommend
Largest open air mall in the world and next door to Waikiki. Shop 'til you drop!
Best discount outlet shopping on the island. Tons of name-brand bargains. Located in West Oahu.
167 locals recommend
Waikele Premium Outlets
94-790 Lumiaina St
167 locals recommend
Best discount outlet shopping on the island. Tons of name-brand bargains. Located in West Oahu.
Look for interesting flea market finds and cheap souvenirs on swap meet days on Wednesdays and weekends.
130 locals recommend
Aloha Stadium
99-500 Salt Lake Blvd
130 locals recommend
Look for interesting flea market finds and cheap souvenirs on swap meet days on Wednesdays and weekends.
Great shopping destination. Trendy shops and restaurants. Next to Ala Moana.
32 locals recommend
Ward Entertainment Center
1044 Auahi St
32 locals recommend
Great shopping destination. Trendy shops and restaurants. Next to Ala Moana.

Activities

Beautiful golf course on West Oahu.
9 locals recommend
Hawaii Prince Golf Club
91-1200 Fort Weaver Rd
9 locals recommend
Beautiful golf course on West Oahu.
Beautiful public golf course near Waikiki. Cheap rates.
49 locals recommend
Ala Wai Golf Course
404 Kapahulu Ave
49 locals recommend
Beautiful public golf course near Waikiki. Cheap rates.
Cute beach town great for biking, kayaking and wind surfing. Lots of great local restaurants, shops and beach options.
78 locals recommend
Kailua
78 locals recommend
Cute beach town great for biking, kayaking and wind surfing. Lots of great local restaurants, shops and beach options.