Guidebook for Orinda
Food Scene
Great little local coffee shop with decent coffee, sandwiches, and baked goods. A short walk from the house or 2 minute drive, just note they are closed on Mondays.
Geppetto's Café
87 Orinda WayGreat little local coffee shop with decent coffee, sandwiches, and baked goods. A short walk from the house or 2 minute drive, just note they are closed on Mondays.
Our go-to local Thai spot. The pad-thai is hit and miss, but the curries always deliver.
8 locals recommend
Siam Orchid
23 Orinda WayOur go-to local Thai spot. The pad-thai is hit and miss, but the curries always deliver.
Our favorite local Chinese restaurant. Food is decent, but the potstickers (homemade) are the standout.
Szechwan Restaurant
79 Orinda WayOur favorite local Chinese restaurant. Food is decent, but the potstickers (homemade) are the standout.
The Star on Grand
3425 Grand AveDelicious deep dish pizza in a great Oakland neighborhood.
Barranco Cocina Peruana
3596 Mt Diablo BlvdAuthentic Peruvian food! Great for a special night out.
Essentials
Safeway
2 Camino SobranteYour typical basic Safeway grocery store.
One of THE BEST grocery stores in the Bay Area. A grocery mecca! It's a little far from our place for a daily trip, but nice if you have some special/local treats you'd like to get or make.
Where else can you find 10 different kind of oranges when they're in season?
419 locals recommend
Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon StOne of THE BEST grocery stores in the Bay Area. A grocery mecca! It's a little far from our place for a daily trip, but nice if you have some special/local treats you'd like to get or make.
Where else can you find 10 different kind of oranges when they're in season?
Entertainment & Activities
Fantastic classic Art Deco movie theater that is still going strong. The seats may not be as comfortable as the suburban multiplex, but the experience is unbeatable.
21 locals recommend
Orinda Theatre
4 Orinda Theatre SquareFantastic classic Art Deco movie theater that is still going strong. The seats may not be as comfortable as the suburban multiplex, but the experience is unbeatable.
Getting Around
The local BART station. 30 minutes by train to downtown SF. 18 to Oakland. Parking can be had on weekdays before 7:15 or right at 10 (when permit spaces open to anyone). Ample bike parking and walkable (25 minutes, or uber/lyft) from the house.
20 locals recommend
Orinda station
11 Camino PabloThe local BART station. 30 minutes by train to downtown SF. 18 to Oakland. Parking can be had on weekdays before 7:15 or right at 10 (when permit spaces open to anyone). Ample bike parking and walkable (25 minutes, or uber/lyft) from the house.
Parks & Nature
Tilden Park has something for everyone. Miles of hiking trails among the east bay hills, a merry-go-round and steam trains and little-farm for the youngsters, botanical gardens, a golf course, a lake....just a fantastic regional park.
45 locals recommend
Redwood Valley Railway (Tilden Steam Train)
2481 Grizzly Peak BlvdTilden Park has something for everyone. Miles of hiking trails among the east bay hills, a merry-go-round and steam trains and little-farm for the youngsters, botanical gardens, a golf course, a lake....just a fantastic regional park.
A walk around Lake Merritt is a walk through the heart of Oakland's urban culture in a beautiful setting. Nearly 3 miles and particularly pretty at sunset!
751 locals recommend
Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt BoulevardA walk around Lake Merritt is a walk through the heart of Oakland's urban culture in a beautiful setting. Nearly 3 miles and particularly pretty at sunset!
Nice 2.5 mile paved trail with a fantastic kids playground, or longer 5 mile hike along the rim. You can picnic or rent paddleboats too! Has a very local family crowd.
70 locals recommend
Lafayette Reservoir
Nice 2.5 mile paved trail with a fantastic kids playground, or longer 5 mile hike along the rim. You can picnic or rent paddleboats too! Has a very local family crowd.
Great place to see some Redwood trees, picnic, and play! Great hikes, long, short, easy, hard, and beautiful scenery.
373 locals recommend
Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood RoadGreat place to see some Redwood trees, picnic, and play! Great hikes, long, short, easy, hard, and beautiful scenery.
Green space with two playgrounds. Hosts weekly food trucks, movie nights, and concerts during the summer.
7 locals recommend
Orinda Community Park
28 Orinda WayGreen space with two playgrounds. Hosts weekly food trucks, movie nights, and concerts during the summer.
Drinks & Nightlife
Rockridge is a neighborhood in Oakland 1 stop away on BART and just through the tunnel on the highway. Rockridge features great restaurants, bars, shopping, and more.
127 locals recommend
Rockridge Station
5660 College AveRockridge is a neighborhood in Oakland 1 stop away on BART and just through the tunnel on the highway. Rockridge features great restaurants, bars, shopping, and more.
Sightseeing
Grab a spot at one of the lookout points on Grizzly Peak to see sweeping views of the bay and San Francisco. Watch a sunset, the fog roll in or out, or simple take it all in!
Grizzly Peak Blvd Overlook
4348 Grizzly Peak BlvdGrab a spot at one of the lookout points on Grizzly Peak to see sweeping views of the bay and San Francisco. Watch a sunset, the fog roll in or out, or simple take it all in!