Guidebook for Oakland
Essentials
Short walking distance from the home, a friendly place to pick up breakfast essentials and snacks. They offer excellent fresh-cooked hot foods, BBQ and a selection of beer, wine and baked goods.
14 locals recommend
Village Market
5885 Broadway TerraceShort walking distance from the home, a friendly place to pick up breakfast essentials and snacks. They offer excellent fresh-cooked hot foods, BBQ and a selection of beer, wine and baked goods.
Safeway
5100 Broadway24-hour supermarket carries all the necessities.
This popular chain grocery specializes in small servings, frozen and fresh food and wine.
582 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveThis popular chain grocery specializes in small servings, frozen and fresh food and wine.
Food Scene
Oakland's favorite pizza restaurant features deep dish pizza stuffed with fresh ingredients. Thin-crust pizza also available. This place is a real treat. Available for eat-in or takeout.
247 locals recommend
Zachary's Chicago Pizza
5801 College AveOakland's favorite pizza restaurant features deep dish pizza stuffed with fresh ingredients. Thin-crust pizza also available. This place is a real treat. Available for eat-in or takeout.
My family's favorite Mexican burritos, tacos and quesadillas available in chicken, beef, pork, or bean and cheese vegetarian styles.Tiny eat-in area or excellent for takeout.
47 locals recommend
Gordo Taquería
1423 Solano AveMy family's favorite Mexican burritos, tacos and quesadillas available in chicken, beef, pork, or bean and cheese vegetarian styles.Tiny eat-in area or excellent for takeout.
Home of the world-famous Bakesale Betty's fried chicken sandwich. Open for lunch only until 2:30 or whenever the day's batch of chicken runs out
196 locals recommend
Bakesale Betty
5098 Telegraph AveHome of the world-famous Bakesale Betty's fried chicken sandwich. Open for lunch only until 2:30 or whenever the day's batch of chicken runs out
Critically-acclaimed Mexican gourmet restaurant attracts discerning diners from around the world
74 locals recommend
Doña Tomás
3770 Piedmont AvenueCritically-acclaimed Mexican gourmet restaurant attracts discerning diners from around the world
Features a broad selection of slow-roasted coffees and a wide variety of teas. A local favorite. Precursor of Starbucks. Free Wifi for customers
259 locals recommend
Peet's Coffee
2124 Vine StFeatures a broad selection of slow-roasted coffees and a wide variety of teas. A local favorite. Precursor of Starbucks. Free Wifi for customers
A new local favorite. Many people swear by this new local coffee chain. Said to be one of the very, very best cups of coffee you will ever savor and enjoy.
173 locals recommend
Blue Bottle Coffee
300 Webster StA new local favorite. Many people swear by this new local coffee chain. Said to be one of the very, very best cups of coffee you will ever savor and enjoy.
Popular local Ethiopian restaurant. Friendly atmosphere, good portions.
20 locals recommend
Asmara Restaurant
5020 Telegraph AvePopular local Ethiopian restaurant. Friendly atmosphere, good portions.
This is my current favorite local hamburger. Grass-fed beef, fresh baked bun, delicious aioli sauce. Just wonderful. Get the fries--and the milkshake of the day
59 locals recommend
Trueburger
146 Grand AveThis is my current favorite local hamburger. Grass-fed beef, fresh baked bun, delicious aioli sauce. Just wonderful. Get the fries--and the milkshake of the day
My favorite Mediterranean buffet. This place is located on Lake Merritt and is easy and relaxed like life in Oakland. Enjoy a buffet of fresh-cooked Mediterranean specialties. Order one of the juices.
27 locals recommend
Bacheesos
246 Grand AveMy favorite Mediterranean buffet. This place is located on Lake Merritt and is easy and relaxed like life in Oakland. Enjoy a buffet of fresh-cooked Mediterranean specialties. Order one of the juices.
Tapas-style Spanish restaurant exudes local charm; features live Flamenco dance many nights. This restaurant gets rave reviews. Check website.
50 locals recommend
Duende
468 19th StTapas-style Spanish restaurant exudes local charm; features live Flamenco dance many nights. This restaurant gets rave reviews. Check website.
My favorite lunch restaurant. Chef Tonya Holland has created this upscale Southern cuisine restaurant in an industrial area. Specialty of the house: fried chicken and waffles. Breakfast and lunch only
109 locals recommend
Brown Sugar Kitchen
2295 BroadwayMy favorite lunch restaurant. Chef Tonya Holland has created this upscale Southern cuisine restaurant in an industrial area. Specialty of the house: fried chicken and waffles. Breakfast and lunch only
Shopping
24-hour pharmacy carries other sundries such as cosmetics and health care supplies
197 locals recommend
Walgreens
2801 Adeline St24-hour pharmacy carries other sundries such as cosmetics and health care supplies
Great local shops, bars and restaurants to satisfy every taste. Located between the house and the closest BART station, Rockridge
19 locals recommend
College Avenue
College AvenueGreat local shops, bars and restaurants to satisfy every taste. Located between the house and the closest BART station, Rockridge
The Temescal shopping district is becoming a trendy hipster destination with popular restaurants and a hip vibe. Check out Temescal Alley for trendy boutiques and barber shop.
34 locals recommend
Telegraph Avenue
Telegraph AvenueThe Temescal shopping district is becoming a trendy hipster destination with popular restaurants and a hip vibe. Check out Temescal Alley for trendy boutiques and barber shop.
This is a suburban alternative to shopping in downtown San Francisco. Chains such as Macy's, Nordstrom, Neiman-Marcus and many others are close by with adequate parking.
51 locals recommend
Walnut Creek
This is a suburban alternative to shopping in downtown San Francisco. Chains such as Macy's, Nordstrom, Neiman-Marcus and many others are close by with adequate parking.
Sightseeing
Lovely, quiet, semiprivate public park is an excellent way to exercise and view nature close to the house. Many neighbors take advantage of it as a walking and running destination for a brief workout
65 locals recommend
Lake Temescal
Lovely, quiet, semiprivate public park is an excellent way to exercise and view nature close to the house. Many neighbors take advantage of it as a walking and running destination for a brief workout
One of the greatest, large public universities in the world is also a research and athletic powerhouse. Many local professionals are "Cal" alumni and the campus is home to noted lectures and films
427 locals recommend
University of California, Berkeley
Oxford StreetOne of the greatest, large public universities in the world is also a research and athletic powerhouse. Many local professionals are "Cal" alumni and the campus is home to noted lectures and films
This neighborhood is stuffed with small art galleries, innovative restaurants, bars and hipsters. A rapidly gentrifying neighborhood of former auto repair and sales businesses.
45 locals recommend
Uptown
This neighborhood is stuffed with small art galleries, innovative restaurants, bars and hipsters. A rapidly gentrifying neighborhood of former auto repair and sales businesses.
This is the city's coliseum, the place to watch baseball games by the Oakland Athletics and football games by the Oakland Raiders. Also all the big stadium-style large music concerts by major acts.
61 locals recommend
RingCentral Coliseum
7000 Coliseum WayThis is the city's coliseum, the place to watch baseball games by the Oakland Athletics and football games by the Oakland Raiders. Also all the big stadium-style large music concerts by major acts.
Lake Merritt is everything to Oaklanders. It's a place for recreation, relaxation, exercise, nature observation and people-watching. The shoreline has many attractions
751 locals recommend
Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt BoulevardLake Merritt is everything to Oaklanders. It's a place for recreation, relaxation, exercise, nature observation and people-watching. The shoreline has many attractions
There are beautiful trails here and lovely places to take small or large hikes and explore the peaceful nature that few visitors or even new residents know about in Oakland. Breathe fresh air & aromas
373 locals recommend
Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood RoadThere are beautiful trails here and lovely places to take small or large hikes and explore the peaceful nature that few visitors or even new residents know about in Oakland. Breathe fresh air & aromas
Interested in space and the cosmos? Visit this nearby museum and planetarium open day and night for experience and observation of the stars. Explore the Big Bang.
122 locals recommend
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline BlvdInterested in space and the cosmos? Visit this nearby museum and planetarium open day and night for experience and observation of the stars. Explore the Big Bang.
Located at the foot of Broadway, this is the retail, commercial center of the gigantic Port of Oakland. There are many great restaurants and even an upscale, hip bowling alley/arcade at the new Plank
213 locals recommend
Jack London Square
472 Water StLocated at the foot of Broadway, this is the retail, commercial center of the gigantic Port of Oakland. There are many great restaurants and even an upscale, hip bowling alley/arcade at the new Plank
This elegant new bridge was recently constructed to replace an older bridge which was damaged during the last big earthquake here in 1989. The main auto and bus route between Oakland and San Francisco
65 locals recommend
San Francisco Bay Bridge
San Francisco – Oakland Bay BridgeThis elegant new bridge was recently constructed to replace an older bridge which was damaged during the last big earthquake here in 1989. The main auto and bus route between Oakland and San Francisco
Arts & Culture
Not your ordinary stuffy museum! This lively museum features art, history and natural history, focussed on the State of California. Great collection of contemporary work by noted California artists.
547 locals recommend
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak StNot your ordinary stuffy museum! This lively museum features art, history and natural history, focussed on the State of California. Great collection of contemporary work by noted California artists.
This well-known art college has trained some of the most famous artists in the United States for generations
6 locals recommend
California College of the Arts
1111 8th StreetThis well-known art college has trained some of the most famous artists in the United States for generations
These companion art and film institutions are associated with the University of California at Berkeley and feature interesting and stimulating programs and exhibitions year round.
171 locals recommend
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
2155 Center StThese companion art and film institutions are associated with the University of California at Berkeley and feature interesting and stimulating programs and exhibitions year round.
Gorgeous renovated Art Deco theater is one of Oakland's architectural jewels. Tours are offered of the building's interior and performances are constantly changing. Check the website for details.
120 locals recommend
Paramount Theatre
2025 BroadwayGorgeous renovated Art Deco theater is one of Oakland's architectural jewels. Tours are offered of the building's interior and performances are constantly changing. Check the website for details.
This renovated Art Deco Theater is operated by Another Planet Entertainment and features performances by well-known acts; attracts attendance from throughout the Bay Area for rock & alternative music
264 locals recommend
Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph AveThis renovated Art Deco Theater is operated by Another Planet Entertainment and features performances by well-known acts; attracts attendance from throughout the Bay Area for rock & alternative music
Hippest movie theater you'll ever attend. Features a constantly changing menu of films, enjoyable in a cozy living room setting. Enjoy pizza, beer and wine in addition to popcorn right in your seat.
156 locals recommend
The New Parkway Theater
474 24th StHippest movie theater you'll ever attend. Features a constantly changing menu of films, enjoyable in a cozy living room setting. Enjoy pizza, beer and wine in addition to popcorn right in your seat.
Everything Else
This is the closest BART station to the house. It's within a 20-minute walking distance with hills. Otherwise, park your car in the lot and find easy access to downtown San Francisco and the Bay Area.
127 locals recommend
Rockridge Station
5660 College AveThis is the closest BART station to the house. It's within a 20-minute walking distance with hills. Otherwise, park your car in the lot and find easy access to downtown San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Most beautiful way to travel between Jack London Square in Oakland and the Ferry Bldg and Embarcadero in San Francisco. Simply the best route of travel. Commute via the beautiful SF Bay!
73 locals recommend
San Francisco Bay Ferry station
10 Clay StMost beautiful way to travel between Jack London Square in Oakland and the Ferry Bldg and Embarcadero in San Francisco. Simply the best route of travel. Commute via the beautiful SF Bay!
Chase ATM
2 Embarcadero CtrClosest Bank of America branch and ATM
Chase Bank
3438 Fruitvale AveClosest Chase Bank branch and ATM
Closest Wells Fargo Bank branch and ATM, located inside the Rockridge Safeway supermarket
32 locals recommend
Wells Fargo Bank
3450 Fruitvale AveClosest Wells Fargo Bank branch and ATM, located inside the Rockridge Safeway supermarket