Nooks & Crannies of Oakland
Food scene
Wawa Thai Food
3009 MacArthur BoulevardAmazing flavors, lowish prices, and a very warm and gracious owner/chef.
Cookiebar Creamery
517 8th StFun flavors and vibe
The best Thai food around — and some of the best food in the East Bay. Great ambiance too.
45 locals recommend
Daughter Thai Kitchen
6118 Medau PlThe best Thai food around — and some of the best food in the East Bay. Great ambiance too.
These bagels are as good as New York bagels. The New York Times agrees.
22 locals recommend
BOICHIK BAGELS
3170 College AveThese bagels are as good as New York bagels. The New York Times agrees.
Montclair Egg Shop
6126 Medau PlGreat brunch spot
Sequoia Diner
3719 MacArthur BlvdEpic brunch spot — if you can get in:)
The best Mexican food this side of Mexico. Which spot exactly? Doesn't really matter. They're all amazing. Though our family particularly loves el paisa @ .com. Yes, that's what it's called:)
International Boulevard
International BoulevardThe best Mexican food this side of Mexico. Which spot exactly? Doesn't really matter. They're all amazing. Though our family particularly loves el paisa @ .com. Yes, that's what it's called:)
Shandong Restaurant
328 10th StEpically authentic noodles and dumplings — all house made
Hands down our favorite Oakland restaurant. A bit of a hole in the wall, with unbeatable authentic flavors.
70 locals recommend
Champa Garden
2102 8th AveHands down our favorite Oakland restaurant. A bit of a hole in the wall, with unbeatable authentic flavors.
Beauty's Bagel Shop
3838 Telegraph AveAnother amazing brunch spot. Montreal-style bagels.
A saturday morning tradition for generations of Oakland Hills kids.
11 locals recommend
Colonial Donuts
3318 Lakeshore AveA saturday morning tradition for generations of Oakland Hills kids.
Pizzaiolo
5008 Telegraph AveTruly amazing Italian food in a very charming setting.
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck AveThe restaurant that started it all.
Just down the hill in the Dimond District. Fantastic breads and breakfast pastries. Not much seating.
70 locals recommend
La Farine
3411 Fruitvale AveJust down the hill in the Dimond District. Fantastic breads and breakfast pastries. Not much seating.
Liquid nitrogen is the secret ingredient in this smoother-than-any-ice-cream-you've-ever-had spot, right across from Trader Joe's on College Ave.
216 locals recommend
Smitten Ice Cream
432 Octavia StLiquid nitrogen is the secret ingredient in this smoother-than-any-ice-cream-you've-ever-had spot, right across from Trader Joe's on College Ave.
Things to do
An authentic historic theater, right in the heart of Oakland, with prelude organ music. Definitely THE local favorite theater.
382 locals recommend
Grand Lake Theater
3200 Grand AveAn authentic historic theater, right in the heart of Oakland, with prelude organ music. Definitely THE local favorite theater.
Our favorite farmers market — every Saturday until 1pm. Great food and produce.
197 locals recommend
Grand Lake Farmers Market
746 Grand AveOur favorite farmers market — every Saturday until 1pm. Great food and produce.
Get lost in a place that's somehow both a world away and just steps from the front door.
373 locals recommend
Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood RoadGet lost in a place that's somehow both a world away and just steps from the front door.
Just outside our door, this sprawling park has a playground, the world's only thriving urban redwood groves, and epic views of the Bay, Oakland and San Francisco.
214 locals recommend
Joaquin Miller Park
3300 Joaquin Miller RdJust outside our door, this sprawling park has a playground, the world's only thriving urban redwood groves, and epic views of the Bay, Oakland and San Francisco.
Easy, half-mile-or-so hike from the house, this place has arguably the best views of the Bay.
Lookout Point
3547 Sanborn DriveEasy, half-mile-or-so hike from the house, this place has arguably the best views of the Bay.
Such a fun little alley, with cute shops and an ice cream place (Curbside Creamery).
29 locals recommend
Temescal Alley
Temescal AlleySuch a fun little alley, with cute shops and an ice cream place (Curbside Creamery).
Walt Disney toured this children's amusement park on Lake Merritt in the 1950s to get inspiration for what became Disneyland. Well maintained and much as it would have been then, the park is an iconic place for Bay Area kids to play.
140 locals recommend
Children’S Fairyland
699 Bellevue AveWalt Disney toured this children's amusement park on Lake Merritt in the 1950s to get inspiration for what became Disneyland. Well maintained and much as it would have been then, the park is an iconic place for Bay Area kids to play.
One of the first Latter-day Saint (aka Mormon) temples built (around 1950), it's an Oakland landmark with incredible landscaping and sweeping views of the entire San Francisco Bay. There's a visitor's center, too. You can drive there in about one minute or take a walk via the walking/biking shortcut at the end of Burdeck Drive (keep going straight on Burdeck instead of heading up Hedge Lane).
15 locals recommend
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
730 Sharp Park RdOne of the first Latter-day Saint (aka Mormon) temples built (around 1950), it's an Oakland landmark with incredible landscaping and sweeping views of the entire San Francisco Bay. There's a visitor's center, too. You can drive there in about one minute or take a walk via the walking/biking shortcut at the end of Burdeck Drive (keep going straight on Burdeck instead of heading up Hedge Lane).
Sequoia Bayview Trail Trailhead
10800 Skyline BlvdEasy, mostly flat trail winding through redwoods