Everything Else
Easy and iconic transportation into the city for the full SF Bay experience.
41 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alameda Main Street station
2990 Main StEasy and iconic transportation into the city for the full SF Bay experience.
SO much easier and less hectic than SFO...
56 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Oakland International Airport
1 Airport DrSO much easier and less hectic than SFO...
Food Scene
Cozy, rustic family owned restaurant with old word charm and out-of-this-world food.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mama Papa Lithuania Restaurant
1241 Park StCozy, rustic family owned restaurant with old word charm and out-of-this-world food.
Cute local coffee spot, great for a quick cup or to post up for a few hours. Free wifi, good small bites and friendly staff.
33 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Blue Dot Cafe & Coffee Bar
1910 Encinal AveCute local coffee spot, great for a quick cup or to post up for a few hours. Free wifi, good small bites and friendly staff.
One of the best authentic Japanese spots in the East Bay for udon and sushi. Fish so fresh it melts in your mouth.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Yojimbo
1221 Park StOne of the best authentic Japanese spots in the East Bay for udon and sushi. Fish so fresh it melts in your mouth.
If gourmet sausage, great beer, and dog friendly patios is your thing, this is your spot.
39 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Speisekammer
2424 Lincoln AveIf gourmet sausage, great beer, and dog friendly patios is your thing, this is your spot.
One of the culinary gems of the East Bay, with wood fired pizzas, creative wine list, beautiful decor and hands down the most attractive staff this side of NYC (without the attitude).
237 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pizzaiolo
5008 Telegraph AveOne of the culinary gems of the East Bay, with wood fired pizzas, creative wine list, beautiful decor and hands down the most attractive staff this side of NYC (without the attitude).
Sister establishment to Pizzailo with a gorgeous open space and all day menu, from Sightglass coffee and breakfast/brunch to full cocktail menu and pizzas at night. It's an easy go-to.
191 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sister
3308 Grand AveSister establishment to Pizzailo with a gorgeous open space and all day menu, from Sightglass coffee and breakfast/brunch to full cocktail menu and pizzas at night. It's an easy go-to.
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck AveSeriously. If you don't know, google it.
This little beauty received it's first Michelin star just one month after it opened – the first in Oakland. Worth any hype you hear, and then some.
53 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Commis
3859 Piedmont AveThis little beauty received it's first Michelin star just one month after it opened – the first in Oakland. Worth any hype you hear, and then some.
Stalwart of the East Bay culinary scene and, 37 years later, it holds up well. Approachable and comfortable neighborhood restaurant serving up locally sourced sustainable fare. Dependable, solid.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
BayWolf Restaurant
3853 Piedmont AveStalwart of the East Bay culinary scene and, 37 years later, it holds up well. Approachable and comfortable neighborhood restaurant serving up locally sourced sustainable fare. Dependable, solid.
One of the best brunch and sunset cocktail spots in the Bay – not for the food, but for the view. Breathtaking. Just watch out for the seagulls.
76 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sam's Anchor Cafe
27 Main StOne of the best brunch and sunset cocktail spots in the Bay – not for the food, but for the view. Breathtaking. Just watch out for the seagulls.
Straightforward family owned Vietnamese joint serving up high quality phö and other authentic dishes.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sidestreet Pho
2304 Encinal AveStraightforward family owned Vietnamese joint serving up high quality phö and other authentic dishes.
Superb cocktails (by the TrickDog SF team) and on-point modern Mexican food offers a slice of el DF in the East Bay.
134 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Comal
2020 Shattuck AveSuperb cocktails (by the TrickDog SF team) and on-point modern Mexican food offers a slice of el DF in the East Bay.
Drinks & Nightlife
Classic tiki bar with mind-bending rum and whiskey collection, well curated cocktail list, and spacious garden patio.
71 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Forbidden Island
1304 Lincoln AveClassic tiki bar with mind-bending rum and whiskey collection, well curated cocktail list, and spacious garden patio.
Having lived in Mexico City for years and spending a ton of time in Oaxaca, this is one of my absolute favorites for food and mezcal both, this side of the border. Lovely staff and food never misses.
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tamarindo
468 8th StHaving lived in Mexico City for years and spending a ton of time in Oaxaca, this is one of my absolute favorites for food and mezcal both, this side of the border. Lovely staff and food never misses.
Impressive cocktail list, vibe for days, and best bang-for-your-buck steak in the Bay.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fauna
1900 Telegraph AveImpressive cocktail list, vibe for days, and best bang-for-your-buck steak in the Bay.
Fun, massive indoor/outdoor beer garden with a beer list to match it.
69 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lost & Found Beer Garden
2040 Telegraph AvenueFun, massive indoor/outdoor beer garden with a beer list to match it.
This award winning craft cocktail bar is a destination for boozehounds around the country. Huge dog friendly patio and lovely airy, open interior. Top five, hands down.
86 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Prizefighter
6702 Hollis StThis award winning craft cocktail bar is a destination for boozehounds around the country. Huge dog friendly patio and lovely airy, open interior. Top five, hands down.
Arts & Culture
90+ playable pinball machines dating back from 1879 to David Bowie to Star Wars to Dukes of Hazard to Back to the Future. Yes please.
68 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pacific Pinball Museum
1510 Webster St90+ playable pinball machines dating back from 1879 to David Bowie to Star Wars to Dukes of Hazard to Back to the Future. Yes please.
If you're into animated features, you can schedule a tour through the galleries of awards, sketches, character models, and occasional screenings. For the kid in all of us.
35 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pixar Animation Studios
1200 Park AveIf you're into animated features, you can schedule a tour through the galleries of awards, sketches, character models, and occasional screenings. For the kid in all of us.
Shopping
Target
2675 Geary BlvdJust in case you forgot anything for your trip...
As featured in NY Times, Travel + Leisure, Monocle, Refinery 29, and many other outlets, Oakland's Temescal Alley is a little slice of hipster eutopia, with several stores in one small block.
65 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Temescal Alley
Temescal AlleyAs featured in NY Times, Travel + Leisure, Monocle, Refinery 29, and many other outlets, Oakland's Temescal Alley is a little slice of hipster eutopia, with several stores in one small block.
Beautifully curated spirits shop with a damn near perfect bottle selection.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alchemy Bottle Shop
3256 Grand AveBeautifully curated spirits shop with a damn near perfect bottle selection.
World renowned ceramics studio, made right here in the Bay. Explore the one-of-a-kind "defects" for sale here, along with a treasure trove of other offerings.
107 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Heath Ceramics
2900 18th StWorld renowned ceramics studio, made right here in the Bay. Explore the one-of-a-kind "defects" for sale here, along with a treasure trove of other offerings.
Essentials
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveEasy access shopping with plenty of parking.
Fantastic little local farmer's market every Saturday am/afternoon.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alameda Farmers' Market
710 Haight AveFantastic little local farmer's market every Saturday am/afternoon.
Sightseeing
Lake Merritt Rowing Club
1520 Lakeside DrTake a walk around the water or, hey – why not take a row.
One of the top craft spirits producers in the world, with a portfolio of award-winning bottles. Schedule a tour and tasting (and call an Uber).
65 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
St. George Spirits
2601 Monarch StOne of the top craft spirits producers in the world, with a portfolio of award-winning bottles. Schedule a tour and tasting (and call an Uber).
This lovely picturesque beach is a favorite for kite and wind surfers at all levels, for the favorable winds and shallow waters. You can rent right on the beach here most days.
106 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach
Otis DriveThis lovely picturesque beach is a favorite for kite and wind surfers at all levels, for the favorable winds and shallow waters. You can rent right on the beach here most days.
Round Top, one of the area's highest peaks (1,763 ft), is made up of lava and volcanic debris left over from a 10-million-year-old volcano. Yes, in Oakland.
80 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
Round Top, one of the area's highest peaks (1,763 ft), is made up of lava and volcanic debris left over from a 10-million-year-old volcano. Yes, in Oakland.
If you ever wondered where the Ewoks really lived, here you go. Take the hike up for some spectacular views, you won't be sorry.
Muir Woods Trail
If you ever wondered where the Ewoks really lived, here you go. Take the hike up for some spectacular views, you won't be sorry.
Preserve featuring trails, camping, wildflowers & famously sweeping views from a 3,849-foot summit
State of California
Preserve featuring trails, camping, wildflowers & famously sweeping views from a 3,849-foot summit
A favorite weekend hike, with amazing views of SF, Oakland and the Bay, seen from eucalyptus, pine and oak forests. A great workout too. Especially nice at sunrise or sunset, or when the fog is thick.
Panoramic Hill
A favorite weekend hike, with amazing views of SF, Oakland and the Bay, seen from eucalyptus, pine and oak forests. A great workout too. Especially nice at sunrise or sunset, or when the fog is thick.
Quarry Trail/ Big Springs Trail offer spectacular ridgetop vistas over the Bay toward SF and GG Bridge, and over scenic reservoirs and hills of Contra Costa, with frequently stunning sunset colors.
Quarry Trail
Quarry TrailQuarry Trail/ Big Springs Trail offer spectacular ridgetop vistas over the Bay toward SF and GG Bridge, and over scenic reservoirs and hills of Contra Costa, with frequently stunning sunset colors.
Redwood Regional Park offers a cool micro-climate in hot weather. West Ridge Trail starts by the creek and climbs up to the West Ridge, where you will have sweeping views of the Bay and Mt Diablo.
373 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood RoadRedwood Regional Park offers a cool micro-climate in hot weather. West Ridge Trail starts by the creek and climbs up to the West Ridge, where you will have sweeping views of the Bay and Mt Diablo.