Guidebook for Oakland
Everything Else
Great location, live music, local produce, prepared food. Excellent way to spend a Saturday and just a short walk away!
197 locals recommend
Grand Lake Farmers Market
746 Grand AveGreat location, live music, local produce, prepared food. Excellent way to spend a Saturday and just a short walk away!
Bus stop (Route 18) that takes you to downtown Oakland, BART, Lucky grocery.
Park Blvd:Spruce St station
Bus stop (Route 18) that takes you to downtown Oakland, BART, Lucky grocery.
Lake Merritt Station
800 Oak StBART location.
Food Scene
504 Wesley Ave
504 Wesley AvenueLocal cafe run by an Englishman right between our apartment and the lake.
Historic Jack London Square features restaurants, a movie theatre, views of the water and a Sunday farmer's market.
213 locals recommend
Jack London Square
472 Water StHistoric Jack London Square features restaurants, a movie theatre, views of the water and a Sunday farmer's market.
Sister
3308 Grand AveDelicious pizza and drinks.
Arizmendi Bakery
3265 Lakeshore AveLocal co-op cafe with coffee, soup, pizza, pastries and breads.
Arts & Culture
Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph AveLive music venue featuring famous bands and a good bar.
Gorgeous 1920's opera house converted to a movie cinema. Located between two popular streets of restaurants and shops.
382 locals recommend
Grand Lake Theater
3200 Grand AveGorgeous 1920's opera house converted to a movie cinema. Located between two popular streets of restaurants and shops.
Streets are closed off to cars to allow for a pedestrian-only event on the first Friday of every month. Live music, free art galleries, food trucks and craft vendors.
2275 Telegraph Ave
2275 Telegraph AvenueStreets are closed off to cars to allow for a pedestrian-only event on the first Friday of every month. Live music, free art galleries, food trucks and craft vendors.
Local, independent, novelty theatre where you can get a cheap movie ticket, sit in couches instead of movie seats and order food and drinks while you watch a movie!
156 locals recommend
The New Parkway Theater
474 24th StLocal, independent, novelty theatre where you can get a cheap movie ticket, sit in couches instead of movie seats and order food and drinks while you watch a movie!
Every Friday evening, OMCA hosts "Off the Grid." It's a food truck extravaganza, where they close down the street next to the museum, have a live band, give discount entrance to the museum, and it's a very Oakland scene. So much fun, for every age.
547 locals recommend
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak StEvery Friday evening, OMCA hosts "Off the Grid." It's a food truck extravaganza, where they close down the street next to the museum, have a live band, give discount entrance to the museum, and it's a very Oakland scene. So much fun, for every age.
Essentials
Convenient grocery store. Also on street with restaurants, cafes and shops.
582 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveConvenient grocery store. Also on street with restaurants, cafes and shops.
Lucky
1750 Fulton StNearby grocery store next to a CVS pharmacy.
Drinks & Nightlife
Small but great bar with signature cocktails and live music on some nights.
28 locals recommend
Bar 355
355 19th StSmall but great bar with signature cocktails and live music on some nights.
Local bar and restaurant. Good for tapas-style eating and drinking or a full meal.
77 locals recommend
Penrose
3311 Grand AveLocal bar and restaurant. Good for tapas-style eating and drinking or a full meal.
Dogwood
1644 Telegraph AveArtisan cocktails and charcuterie.
This place is walking distance, has a fantastic rotating beer selection on tap, and decent food to boot. The outdoor terrace/patio is hard to beat on a nice day/evening.
105 locals recommend
Portal Oakland
1611 2nd AveThis place is walking distance, has a fantastic rotating beer selection on tap, and decent food to boot. The outdoor terrace/patio is hard to beat on a nice day/evening.
Amazing cocktails (ask for the Johnny Fever, even if it's not on the current menu). Indoor and outdoor space. Rooftop terrace. Perfect jumping off point for a night out. A rotating pop-up restaurant serves food, the beer selection is plentiful, and the corn hole games are serious! Several TVs inside and out, for catching a local sports game with an invested crowd.
67 locals recommend
Mad Oak Bar
135 12th StAmazing cocktails (ask for the Johnny Fever, even if it's not on the current menu). Indoor and outdoor space. Rooftop terrace. Perfect jumping off point for a night out. A rotating pop-up restaurant serves food, the beer selection is plentiful, and the corn hole games are serious! Several TVs inside and out, for catching a local sports game with an invested crowd.
Sightseeing
Lake Merritt is great for a walk or run. It is lit during the evening and almost always full of people exercising, strolling or picnicking.
751 locals recommend
Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt BoulevardLake Merritt is great for a walk or run. It is lit during the evening and almost always full of people exercising, strolling or picnicking.
Beautiful botanical gardens, walking paths and a bonsai garden.
16 locals recommend
The Gardens at Lake Merritt
666 Bellevue AveBeautiful botanical gardens, walking paths and a bonsai garden.
Parks & Nature
A little bit out of the way (if you plan to be on foot or public transit), but beautiful hiking trails up in the hills, some with scenic views of the city below.
214 locals recommend
Joaquin Miller Park
3300 Joaquin Miller RdA little bit out of the way (if you plan to be on foot or public transit), but beautiful hiking trails up in the hills, some with scenic views of the city below.