Guidebook for Oakland
Essentials
Great selection of groceries and prepared foods. Open 8AM until 10PM every day. WiFi in cafe too.
553 locals raden deze aan
Whole Foods Market
230 Bay PlGreat selection of groceries and prepared foods. Open 8AM until 10PM every day. WiFi in cafe too.
For those that like budget-friendly gourmet goodies. You know who you are.
582 locals raden deze aan
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveFor those that like budget-friendly gourmet goodies. You know who you are.
Entertainment & Activities
If you have access to a little one during your stay, this is THE place to take them. Walt Disney's inspiration for Disneyland!
140 locals raden deze aan
Sprookjesland voor kinderen
699 Bellevue AveIf you have access to a little one during your stay, this is THE place to take them. Walt Disney's inspiration for Disneyland!
GORGEOUS Art Deco theater (thoroughly restored inside and out). If you are a fan of Art Deco, check the schedule for their monthly tours. It’s incredible!
120 locals raden deze aan
Paramount Theatre
2025 BroadwayGORGEOUS Art Deco theater (thoroughly restored inside and out). If you are a fan of Art Deco, check the schedule for their monthly tours. It’s incredible!
Lovely old theater that has full size screens and nice smaller theaters. Shows 3-D and occasionally film festival favorites.
382 locals raden deze aan
Grand Lake Theater
3200 Grand Ave
Lovely old theater that has full size screens and nice smaller theaters. Shows 3-D and occasionally film festival favorites.
Pizza, beer and much more in a comfy, casual space. Interesting screenings too
156 locals raden deze aan
The New Parkway Theater
474 24th St
Pizza, beer and much more in a comfy, casual space. Interesting screenings too
Private cruises on Lake Merritt in an authentic Venetian gondola! You can bring your our beverage or pick up a cocktail at the Lake Chalet Bar. It’s simply a magical experience. Mod studio guests get 50% off with code
MODSTUDIO
Dolce Vita Gondola
Private cruises on Lake Merritt in an authentic Venetian gondola! You can bring your our beverage or pick up a cocktail at the Lake Chalet Bar. It’s simply a magical experience. Mod studio guests get 50% off with code
MODSTUDIO
Everything Else
This is our local station. You actually get off at the 20th Street exit. It's a 12to 15 minute walk to our place.
69 locals raden deze aan
19th St / Oakland station
1900 BroadwayThis is our local station. You actually get off at the 20th Street exit. It's a 12to 15 minute walk to our place.
Oakland's jewel of a park. Gondolas, gardens and great picnic spots. If you haven't walked all day long, the circuit is 3 1/2 miles. Perfect for an hour’s stroll.
751 locals raden deze aan
Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt BoulevardOakland's jewel of a park. Gondolas, gardens and great picnic spots. If you haven't walked all day long, the circuit is 3 1/2 miles. Perfect for an hour’s stroll.
Kume Spa
614 Grand Ave
Need to relax and soothe tired feet? This is the place!
A lovely, non-toxic spa for manis, pedis, massage and waxing. If you need primping and pampering, this the place. Men are welcome to
6 locals raden deze aan
Simply Green Day Spa
630 Grand Ave
A lovely, non-toxic spa for manis, pedis, massage and waxing. If you need primping and pampering, this the place. Men are welcome to
The place to get the best produce and flowers. Almost more of a street festival than a market. Come hungry. Leave happy. Ends by 2PM.
197 locals raden deze aan
Grand Lake Farmers Market
746 Grand AveThe place to get the best produce and flowers. Almost more of a street festival than a market. Come hungry. Leave happy. Ends by 2PM.
Recently renovated with a real California/local emphasis. On Friday nights they stay open late and have 1/2 price admission to the galleries and Food Trucks
547 locals raden deze aan
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak St
Recently renovated with a real California/local emphasis. On Friday nights they stay open late and have 1/2 price admission to the galleries and Food Trucks
This is the absolute best way to go to SF! The ferry takes about 30 minutes and goes to the SF Ferry Building (AKA the SF Foody Bldg or to Pier 41 (next to Pier 39 for tourists!). It’s got great views (especially from the outside deck) and is much easier than booking an Alcatraz visit.
73 locals raden deze aan
San Francisco Bay Ferry station
10 Clay StThis is the absolute best way to go to SF! The ferry takes about 30 minutes and goes to the SF Ferry Building (AKA the SF Foody Bldg or to Pier 41 (next to Pier 39 for tourists!). It’s got great views (especially from the outside deck) and is much easier than booking an Alcatraz visit.
Food Scene
Sidebar
542 Grand Ave
Favorite cocktail ever...Locavore Bee's Knees. Period.
Wood Fired Pizza, outside yacht harbor seating, yummy cocktails. Relatively reasonable too.
42 locals raden deze aan
Forge Pizza Oakland
66 Franklin St
Wood Fired Pizza, outside yacht harbor seating, yummy cocktails. Relatively reasonable too.
Farley's East
33 Grand AvePerfect stop for coffee and yummies to or from BART.
Lunch buffet is a great bargain. A huge selection of vegetable dishes, salads and some meat/fish options. If you are craving healthy food, this is the spot.
27 locals raden deze aan
Bacheesos
246 Grand Ave
Lunch buffet is a great bargain. A huge selection of vegetable dishes, salads and some meat/fish options. If you are craving healthy food, this is the spot.
Upscale Picnic Food to take out or eat in and fantastic brunch and dinner. Even made to order doughnut! $5 Happy hour pricing for Roses and Bubblies!
117 locals raden deze aan
Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt
576 Grand Ave
Upscale Picnic Food to take out or eat in and fantastic brunch and dinner. Even made to order doughnut! $5 Happy hour pricing for Roses and Bubblies!
Los Cantaros | Restaurant & Taqueria
336 Grand Ave
Love the Salmon Salad
Arizmendi Bakery
3265 Lakeshore AveMore of a cafe and bakery. Fantastic daily pizza special!
Great pizza and fantastic cocktails. Love the "speakeasy" room in the back
197 locals raden deze aan
Sister
3308 Grand Ave
Great pizza and fantastic cocktails. Love the "speakeasy" room in the back
Hip and yet elegant. Fabulous cocktails. Don’t miss the wallpaper in the bathroom
16 locals raden deze aan
Bardo Lounge & Supper Club
3343 Lakeshore Ave
Hip and yet elegant. Fabulous cocktails. Don’t miss the wallpaper in the bathroom
Shakewell
3407 Lakeshore AveEverything is so delicious!
alaMar Kitchen & Bar
100 Grand Ave
Delicious Fast casual fare
Peruvian restaurant that is super close and features so much deliciousness: ceviche, cocktails, lomo saltado and even chicken and rice!
6 locals raden deze aan
Limón
2450 Valdez StreetPeruvian restaurant that is super close and features so much deliciousness: ceviche, cocktails, lomo saltado and even chicken and rice!
Didn’t expect to find the most delicious smoky brussels sprouts at a chicken place, but there have it!
Proposition Chicken
Didn’t expect to find the most delicious smoky brussels sprouts at a chicken place, but there have it!
On a sunny day, drinks or lunch on the dock is like a mini vacation for locals! On a chilly evening, the dining room is warm and cozy.
136 locals raden deze aan
Lake Chalet
1520 Lakeside DrOn a sunny day, drinks or lunch on the dock is like a mini vacation for locals! On a chilly evening, the dining room is warm and cozy.
Drinks & Nightlife
Jack London's favorite bar. It will be yours too. It's the floors that are slanted...not your brain!
61 locals raden deze aan
Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon
48 Webster Street
Jack London's favorite bar. It will be yours too. It's the floors that are slanted...not your brain!
You can easily while away an evening at the bar/lounge. Even the tv screens are easy on the eyes.
16 locals raden deze aan
Bardo Lounge & Supper Club
3343 Lakeshore AveYou can easily while away an evening at the bar/lounge. Even the tv screens are easy on the eyes.
(Covid update: currently open for outdoor seating on Webster and takeout)
This is one of the few places that is better now than pre-Covid!
The Athletic Club Oakland
59 Grand Ave(Covid update: currently open for outdoor seating on Webster and takeout)
This is one of the few places that is better now than pre-Covid!
One of the more unusual bars in oakland…it’s got a full house of arcade games like pinball. Karaoke too. Currently open until midnight.
Emporium Oakland
1805 Telegraph AveOne of the more unusual bars in oakland…it’s got a full house of arcade games like pinball. Karaoke too. Currently open until midnight.
It’s a bar with great food or a restaurant with great drinks…not sure which but both make me happy!
7 locals raden deze aan
Viridian
2216 BroadwayIt’s a bar with great food or a restaurant with great drinks…not sure which but both make me happy!
This is our local bar but it’s great. Very welcoming and drinks are great. Even when there is a line at the bar, the bartenders are calm, cool and FAST. You also have the option to make your cocktail a double so you can chill.
56 locals raden deze aan
Room 389
389 Grand AveThis is our local bar but it’s great. Very welcoming and drinks are great. Even when there is a line at the bar, the bartenders are calm, cool and FAST. You also have the option to make your cocktail a double so you can chill.
Arts & Culture
When the weather is good (and even when it isn’t) jut about everyone can be found at First Fridays. The galleries around 25th are especially good!
64 locals raden deze aan
First Fridays
2633 Telegraph AveWhen the weather is good (and even when it isn’t) jut about everyone can be found at First Fridays. The galleries around 25th are especially good!
OMCa has fantastic special exhibitions as well as a pretty interesting local interest collection. On Friday nights the galleries are open late and the are food trucks and entertainment/dancing happening until 9!
547 locals raden deze aan
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak StOMCa has fantastic special exhibitions as well as a pretty interesting local interest collection. On Friday nights the galleries are open late and the are food trucks and entertainment/dancing happening until 9!
A browser’s delight. New and used books. Check out the staff picks!
37 locals raden deze aan
Walden Pond Books
3316 Grand AveA browser’s delight. New and used books. Check out the staff picks!