Oakland
Often overlooked by visitors and even by many San Francisco dwellers, Oakland has a lot to offer those who make the journey across the Bay. 40% larger than San Francisco, but with less than half the population, the city provides plenty of breathing room as it meanders from the top of the Oakland Hills down to the waterfront. Oakland has a highly exaggerated reputation as a dangerous place, but while some areas should be avoided, there are many safe and charming neighborhoods filled with single-family bungalows, and affluent, hilltop enclaves of elegant homes with panoramic Bay views. Downtown Oakland (which includes the Uptown neighborhood) has experienced a renaissance in recent years, with hip new restaurants, bars, boutiques and galleries filling the warehouses and Art-Deco buildings, inspiring comparisons to Brooklyn. The Temescal district is also an up-and-coming restaurant hub, while College Avenue (in the Rockridge neighborhood), Lakeshore Avenue, and Piedmont Avenue have been popular shopping and dining destinations for decades. Socially conscious but more urban and edgy than Berkeley, Oakland is friendly but effortlessly cool, busy but rarely crowded, and always evolving.
topSights and Attractions
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland, CA 94619 Tel: (510) 336-7300 Open Tue-Thu & Sun 10am-5pm; Fri & Sat 10am-10pm. Closed Mon (and Tues. in winter)
With the goal of educating adults and kids alike about astronomy and space science, this center offers interactive exhibitions (from a simulated moon walk to a glimpse into the life of an astronaut), a state-of-the-art planetarium, and historic observatories featuring some of the largest telescopes in the western U.S.
Children’s Fairyland
699 Bellevue Avenue
Oakland, CA 94610
Tel: (510) 452-2259
Open Jan-Mar, Fri-Sun 10am-4pm; Apr-Mid June, Wed-Sun 10am-4pm; Mid Jun-Aug, Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat & Sun 10am-5pm; Sep-Oct ,Wed-Sun 10am-4pm; Nov-early Dec, Fri-Sun 10am-4pm. Dec 14-23, “Fairy Winterland” noon-7pm; Dec 26-30 10am-4pm.
Opened in 1950 on the shores of Lake Merritt, this amusement park still has a pleasantly naïve, old-school charm. Walt Disney got much of his inspiration for Disneyland from his visit here. There are no high-tech thrill rides or animatronics, just 10 acres of sets from fairytales and children’s stories, such as the Three Little Pig’s Houses and Humpty Dumpty’s Wall. Kids can climb and play on many of the sets, and turn a Magic Key into Storybook Boxes to hear the stories behind them. Entertainment includes several gentle rides—a train, a carousel, a mini Ferris wheel—along with a petting zoo, a puppet theater and a children’s theater. This attraction is best suited for young children, aged 6 and under.
topMuseums and Theaters
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak St.
Oakland, CA 94607
Tel: (510) 318-8400
Open Wed-Sun 11am-5pm, final Fridays Apr-Oct until 9pm. Closed Mon, Tue, Jan 1, Jul 4, Thanksgiving Day, Dec 25.
This multi-dimensional museum specializes in the natural science, history and art of the Golden State, showcasing California's dynamic cultural and environmental heritage. Historic exhibits underscore California’s human diversity, nature exhibits highlight the state’s extraordinary ecological diversity, and art exhibits cover the range of California fine art and design, from the mid-1800s to the present day. Keep your eye out for temporary exhibitions, which are often of very high quality.
Paramount Theater
2025 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612
Tel: (510) 465-6400
One of the finest examples of Art Deco design in the U.S., this extraordinary theater was first opened in 1931. After a brief career as a movie palace, it fell into neglect until it was rescued and authentically restored by the Oakland Symphony Orchestra in the 1970s. Now both a California and National Historic Landmark, the Paramount hosts a year-round schedule of concerts, theater, special events and film festivals.
Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland CA 94612
Tel: (510) 302-2250
Another Art Deco gem that fell into disrepair, this 1928 movie theater was closed for forty-three years before reopening in 2009 after a full renovation. It is now one of the East Bay’s premier live music venues.
topRestaurants
À Côté
5478 College Avenue (Rockridge)
Oakland, CA 94618
Tel: (510) 655-6469
Charming, small-plates restaurant serving French-Mediterranean cuisine. A short walk from Rockridge BART.
Burma Superstar
4721 Telegraph Ave betw. 47th St & 48th St (Temescal District)
Oakland, CA 94609
Tel: (510) 652-2900
No reservations.
The Oakland branch of the beloved Richmond-district restaurant in San Francisco. Specialties include Rainbow Salad and Samusa Soup. It’s very popular – expect a wait (it’s worth it).
Commis
3859 Piedmont Avenue
Oakland, CA 94611
Reservations: (510) 653-3902
Virtuoso dishes from Chef James Syhabout, served in a spare, elegant surroundings. One Michelin star.
Dopo
4293 Piedmont Avenue
Oakland, CA 94611
Tel: (510) 652-3676
Thin-crust pizza is a specialty of this casual, bustling restaurant, but everything is delicious, from the multiple varieties of salumi to the innovative antipasti. Sister restaurant Adesso specializes in artisan cocktails and salumi.
Flora
1900 Telegraph Avenue
(Uptown)
Oakland, CA 94612
Tel: (510) 286-0100
Housed in a landmark Art Deco building that was formerly the Oakland Floral Depot, this popular Uptown restaurant pays homage to a bygone era with hand-crafted cocktails and reinvented American dishes.
Picán
2295 Broadway @ 23rd (Uptown)
Oakland, California 94612
Tel: (510) 834-1000
California-infused Southern food and elegant cocktails in a swank, speakeasy-esque atmosphere. Try the fried chicken with truffle honey (drizzled for you, tableside).
Pizzaiolo
5008 Telegraph Ave (Temescal District)
Oakland, CA 94609
Tel: (510) 652-4888
A daily-changing menu of excellent, seasonal wood-fired pizza, pasta, antipasti, and simple but hearty main dishes, served in rustic, convivial surroundings.
Plum
2214 Broadway (Uptown)
Oakland, CA 94612
Tel: (510) 444-7586
This modern, stylish restaurant is a new venture from Coi Chef Daniel Patterson. Innovative California cuisine using the best wild or cultivated local ingredients.
Wood Tavern
6317 College Avenue (Rockridge)
Oakland, CA 94618
Tel: (510) 654-6607
Contemporary American brasserie, famous for their burger (but the other main dishes are excellent too). Seasonal menu. The small but inviting space is usually quite busy – reservations recommended.
Zachary’s Pizza
5801 College Avenue (Rockridge)
Oakland CA 94618
Tel: (510) 655-6385
Popular, casual and boisterous, Zachary’s has been a Rockridge icon for decades, serving both Chicago-style stuffed pizza and thin crust (but the stuffed is the best—try the Zachary’s special). There’s also a branch in Berkeley, perhaps slightly less busy.