Guidebook for Oakland
Entertainment & Activities
Frog Park has an amazing play structure for older kids and a creek filled with potable water in the summer time (it's drinkable but I wouldn't). A great spot to stop on the way to the Farmer's Market.
23 locals recommend
Rockridge-Temescal Greenbelt
5500 Claremont AveFrog Park has an amazing play structure for older kids and a creek filled with potable water in the summer time (it's drinkable but I wouldn't). A great spot to stop on the way to the Farmer's Market.
Great little local library with a play area for the kids and lots of programs to attend.
10 locals recommend
Oakland Public Library: Rockridge Branch
5366 College AveGreat little local library with a play area for the kids and lots of programs to attend.
Delicious Organic Ice Cream from chef Alice Waters. The Pink Peppercorn is actually very delicious.
50 locals recommend
Tara's Organic Ice Cream
4731 Telegraph AveDelicious Organic Ice Cream from chef Alice Waters. The Pink Peppercorn is actually very delicious.
Rumored to be the inspiration for Disneyland, this dated little playland could use an update but the kid-sized everything and great little train are a huge hit with the small ones.
140 locals recommend
Children's Fairyland
699 Bellevue AveRumored to be the inspiration for Disneyland, this dated little playland could use an update but the kid-sized everything and great little train are a huge hit with the small ones.
Our son goes crazy for this place, everything is kid sized from the space suits to the shopping carts.
14 locals recommend
Habitot Children's Museum
5689 Bay StreetOur son goes crazy for this place, everything is kid sized from the space suits to the shopping carts.
A great kid spot, diner style menu that is decent, but a full ice cream bar provides the best incentive to get the kids to eat. Fun environment, featured in the movie up.
129 locals recommend
Fentons Creamery
4226 Piedmont AveA great kid spot, diner style menu that is decent, but a full ice cream bar provides the best incentive to get the kids to eat. Fun environment, featured in the movie up.
Dracena Quarry Park
130 Dracena AveBeautiful Dracena Park. Enter off Ricardo Avenue.
Great park for little ones, ringed by houses with lots of toys. Short walk from the home.
6 locals recommend
Colby Park
422 61st StGreat park for little ones, ringed by houses with lots of toys. Short walk from the home.
Essentials
Sunday Morning Farmer's Market, yes its in the DMV parking lot and yes it is amazing. Live music, balloon animals and great food/groceries. Take the greenbelt path through Frog Park to get here.
96 locals recommend
Temescal Farmer's Market
5300 Claremont AveSunday Morning Farmer's Market, yes its in the DMV parking lot and yes it is amazing. Live music, balloon animals and great food/groceries. Take the greenbelt path through Frog Park to get here.
Whole Foods Market
230 Bay PlNot as high-end as Market Hall but not as pricey either.
Fancy Groceries! Gourmet pasta shop, butcher, wine store, bakery, prepared foods, flowers and produce all rolled into one. Spendy but worth it.
51 locals recommend
Market Hall Produce
5655 College AveFancy Groceries! Gourmet pasta shop, butcher, wine store, bakery, prepared foods, flowers and produce all rolled into one. Spendy but worth it.
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveSnacks Galore!
Safeway
6310 College Ave24 Hour Grocery Store!
Food Scene
A16
2355 Chestnut StOne of our favorite restaurants in the East Bay! Fantastic food.
Hustling, bustling and noisy. Excellent restaurant, try the Fried Chicken.
123 locals recommend
Wood Tavern
6317 College AveHustling, bustling and noisy. Excellent restaurant, try the Fried Chicken.
The best deep dish pizza in the East Bay, arguably the entire Bay Area! Order to go and pick up hot, or get a half baked and finish it off at home.
247 locals recommend
Zachary's Chicago Pizza
5801 College AveThe best deep dish pizza in the East Bay, arguably the entire Bay Area! Order to go and pick up hot, or get a half baked and finish it off at home.
The best fried chicken sandwich I've ever had. There is only one thing on the menu and its made right! No dine-in but great to-go item.
196 locals recommend
Bakesale Betty
5098 Telegraph AveThe best fried chicken sandwich I've ever had. There is only one thing on the menu and its made right! No dine-in but great to-go item.
Soi 4 Bangkok Eatery
5421 College AveModern Thai Fusion, excellent light and refreshing fair.
Great organic fair with vegan and gluten free options. Pricey but excellent pizzas.
77 locals recommend
Gather
2200 Oxford StGreat organic fair with vegan and gluten free options. Pricey but excellent pizzas.
Ramen Shop
5812 College AveExpensive but delicious ramen! Non-pork options available.
Despite the name Toast they do not serve breakfast, but its still a great place to sit outside, have a drink and dine.
17 locals recommend
TOAST Kitchen + Bar
5900 College AvenueDespite the name Toast they do not serve breakfast, but its still a great place to sit outside, have a drink and dine.
Cole Coffee Cafe
307 63rd StStrong coffee lots of locals.
Delicious chocolatey coffee roasted right here in Oakland.
16 locals recommend
The Chocolate Dragon Bittersweet Cafe and Bakery
5427 College AveDelicious chocolatey coffee roasted right here in Oakland.
Yup we have Burmese food and it is delicious. Try the Rainbow salad and the Samosa Soup.
458 locals recommend
Burma Superstar
309 Clement StYup we have Burmese food and it is delicious. Try the Rainbow salad and the Samosa Soup.
Sunday Brunch at the Thai Buddhist temple, features authentic homemade Thai food with the proceeds going to charity. A great spot on a sunny day to pick up some delicious food and picnic.
45 locals recommend
Wat Mongkolratanaram
1911 Russell StSunday Brunch at the Thai Buddhist temple, features authentic homemade Thai food with the proceeds going to charity. A great spot on a sunny day to pick up some delicious food and picnic.
Chez Panisse is one of our best restaurants, the upstairs is casual dining and the downstairs is formal price fixe menu. Located in the 'gourmet ghetto' this restaurant draws nationally.
337 locals recommend
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck AveChez Panisse is one of our best restaurants, the upstairs is casual dining and the downstairs is formal price fixe menu. Located in the 'gourmet ghetto' this restaurant draws nationally.
One of our favorite breakfast spots. Not an extensive menu but delicious quiches, biscuits, tarts etc... A nice stroll home through Elmwood's small boutique shops.
52 locals recommend
Elmwood Cafe
2900 College AvenueOne of our favorite breakfast spots. Not an extensive menu but delicious quiches, biscuits, tarts etc... A nice stroll home through Elmwood's small boutique shops.
Everything Else
Rockridge Station
5660 College AveBart Station is a 10 minute walk (7 if you're running late).
One of our favorite venues for concerts! Berkeley's Greek theater is an amazing amphitheater with stone seating, a huge grassy lawn and great bay views.
75 locals recommend
The Greek Theatre
2001 Gayley RdOne of our favorite venues for concerts! Berkeley's Greek theater is an amazing amphitheater with stone seating, a huge grassy lawn and great bay views.
Sightseeing
A great short but steep hike up the Fire Trails behind UC Berkeley offers great views of the Bay. Take Claremont to Stonewall to access.
8 locals recommend
Stonewall-Panoramic Trail
99 Stonewall RdA great short but steep hike up the Fire Trails behind UC Berkeley offers great views of the Bay. Take Claremont to Stonewall to access.
Lake Merritt is a great place for a walk or a jog (3 miles around the lake), hosts and excellent Saturday farmer's market. Great walking and shopping up Lakeshore Avenue.
751 locals recommend
Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt BoulevardLake Merritt is a great place for a walk or a jog (3 miles around the lake), hosts and excellent Saturday farmer's market. Great walking and shopping up Lakeshore Avenue.
Drinks & Nightlife
Local bar with pretty excellent bar food. Service at the bar can be spotty but table service is good.
25 locals recommend
Ben 'N Nick's Bar & Grill
5612 College AveLocal bar with pretty excellent bar food. Service at the bar can be spotty but table service is good.
One of our favorite bars. Great service, excellent selection, darts, pool and a host of games available to use while sitting by the fire.
61 locals recommend
Albatross Pub
1822 San Pablo AveOne of our favorite bars. Great service, excellent selection, darts, pool and a host of games available to use while sitting by the fire.
Cato's Ale House
3891 Piedmont AveGood bar, good food, good fun
Arts & Culture
Our local theater has a lot of charm but not a lot of screens. Mix of new releases, independents and classics.
44 locals recommend
Rialto Cinemas Elmwood
2966 College AveOur local theater has a lot of charm but not a lot of screens. Mix of new releases, independents and classics.
Yes I put a reptile store under arts and entertainment. It is really more like a reptile zoo than a store, they breed for many zoos and have rare and exotic stock.
14 locals recommend
East Bay Vivarium
1827 Fifth StYes I put a reptile store under arts and entertainment. It is really more like a reptile zoo than a store, they breed for many zoos and have rare and exotic stock.
Classic Art Deco Fox Theater is an excellent venue to see a concert. One of our favorite venues.
264 locals recommend
Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph AveClassic Art Deco Fox Theater is an excellent venue to see a concert. One of our favorite venues.