Guidebook for Oakland
Food Scene
Great deep dish pizza. But I also love the sandwiches. Especially the meatball sub! Clean, recently remodeled and very close. See my review for Bonham Way for a quick way to get down there.
64 residents recomanen
The Star on Grand
3425 Grand AveGreat deep dish pizza. But I also love the sandwiches. Especially the meatball sub! Clean, recently remodeled and very close. See my review for Bonham Way for a quick way to get down there.
Best lunch scene in the neighborhood. Everything on the menu is delicious. Dinner is great here too. Conveniently located across the street from Lake Merritt. Make reservations if you can.
117 residents recomanen
Grand Lake Kitchen - Lake Merritt
576 Grand AveBest lunch scene in the neighborhood. Everything on the menu is delicious. Dinner is great here too. Conveniently located across the street from Lake Merritt. Make reservations if you can.
Delicious thin crust pizza with other great options. You can either have dinner in the front, or hang out at the bar in the back. I believe they're also open for brunch.
194 residents recomanen
Sister
3308 Grand AveDelicious thin crust pizza with other great options. You can either have dinner in the front, or hang out at the bar in the back. I believe they're also open for brunch.
My favorite Asian restaurant in the neighborhood. Definitely in my top #3!
21 residents recomanen
Lin Jia Asian Kitchen
3437 Lakeshore AveMy favorite Asian restaurant in the neighborhood. Definitely in my top #3!
#1 place for burgers in the neighborhood, if you're having a craving. They also deliver off of Try Caviar dot com and are typically here in under 30 min.
9 residents recomanen
Flipside Burgers, Fries and Shakes
3401 Lakeshore Ave#1 place for burgers in the neighborhood, if you're having a craving. They also deliver off of Try Caviar dot com and are typically here in under 30 min.
While I don't drink coffee, I've been going here for breakfast and lunch for forever. Right on the corner of Grand and Elwood, it's also the oldest coffee house in Oakland.
8 residents recomanen
The Coffee Mill
3363 Grand AveWhile I don't drink coffee, I've been going here for breakfast and lunch for forever. Right on the corner of Grand and Elwood, it's also the oldest coffee house in Oakland.
Lynn & Lu's Escapade Cafe
3353 Grand Ave#1 spot to eat out for breakfast.
#1 sushi spot in the neighborhood. But I know folks come from outside of the area to go here as well. A great place for dinner or date night.
27 residents recomanen
Mijori Japanese Restaurant
3260 Grand Ave#1 sushi spot in the neighborhood. But I know folks come from outside of the area to go here as well. A great place for dinner or date night.
Drinks & Nightlife
Iconic, piano, dive bar that you don't want to miss if you're out and about. A lot of folks sing karaoke style at the piano which is one of things it's known for. Don't forget to staple your business card to the ceiling. The bar food isn't bad either.
60 residents recomanen
The Alley | Piano Bar & Restaurant
3325 Grand AveIconic, piano, dive bar that you don't want to miss if you're out and about. A lot of folks sing karaoke style at the piano which is one of things it's known for. Don't forget to staple your business card to the ceiling. The bar food isn't bad either.
This can go under bar or restaurant. The food and drinks are great and oftentimes there's live music. Definitely the most expensive place on this list but it lives up to its reputation.
77 residents recomanen
Penrose
3311 Grand AveThis can go under bar or restaurant. The food and drinks are great and oftentimes there's live music. Definitely the most expensive place on this list but it lives up to its reputation.
Great local wine bar that's very popular. They also have a plethora of different types of wines for sale. Lots of folks like to sit out front and enjoy nice weather while having a glass of their favorite wine.
42 residents recomanen
Ordinaire Wine Shop & Wine Bar
3354 Grand AveGreat local wine bar that's very popular. They also have a plethora of different types of wines for sale. Lots of folks like to sit out front and enjoy nice weather while having a glass of their favorite wine.
Parks & Nature
A beautiful area for a walk, grilling, or to take your kids to Fairyland or the park. It's also 3 miles around.
751 residents recomanen
Amfiteatre del Llac Merritt
Lake Merritt BoulevardA beautiful area for a walk, grilling, or to take your kids to Fairyland or the park. It's also 3 miles around.
Only steps away from the house. Just walk down Santa Rosa
1 block and take a left at Chetwood and there will be 2 entrances on each side, at the end of the block. A great place for a quick stroll. There's also a pond with ducks if you want to take your children there to see them. Small children love this space. Also, if you want to get a quick workout in this is a good place for, meditation, yoga and/or using the steps for running.
66 residents recomanen
Morcom Rose Garden
700 Jean StOnly steps away from the house. Just walk down Santa Rosa
1 block and take a left at Chetwood and there will be 2 entrances on each side, at the end of the block. A great place for a quick stroll. There's also a pond with ducks if you want to take your children there to see them. Small children love this space. Also, if you want to get a quick workout in this is a good place for, meditation, yoga and/or using the steps for running.
All types of vessels are available for rental here. But nothing too high speed. Just check their schedule first. Adjacent to a park for kids as well. And about a quarter mile closer to the house than Fairyland.
26 residents recomanen
Lake Merritt Boating Center
568 Bellevue AveAll types of vessels are available for rental here. But nothing too high speed. Just check their schedule first. Adjacent to a park for kids as well. And about a quarter mile closer to the house than Fairyland.
Entertainment & Activities
A local historic theater that you don't want to miss if you're out and about for a movie. On Tuesdays I believe it's also free popcorn and there may be a discount on the ticket price. But check their website to double check.
382 residents recomanen
Grand Lake Theater
3200 Grand AveA local historic theater that you don't want to miss if you're out and about for a movie. On Tuesdays I believe it's also free popcorn and there may be a discount on the ticket price. But check their website to double check.
A local mini theme park located about 1 mile from the house. My grandmother took me here as a kid and I did the same with mine. You'll love the puppet show, train, mini ferris wheel and there are also goats and a donkey. A perfect place for your little ones and not too expensive.
To walk there, you can take Bonham Way to Grand, to Lake Merritt. Just make sure to stay on the Grand Ave side of the Lake. On your way there's also a park, nature center and boat dock, where you can rent paddle boats and other types of pleasure craft. You'll love Fairyland and the food isn't too expensive either.
140 residents recomanen
Fairyland dels Nens
699 Bellevue AveA local mini theme park located about 1 mile from the house. My grandmother took me here as a kid and I did the same with mine. You'll love the puppet show, train, mini ferris wheel and there are also goats and a donkey. A perfect place for your little ones and not too expensive.
To walk there, you can take Bonham Way to Grand, to Lake Merritt. Just make sure to stay on the Grand Ave side of the Lake. On your way there's also a park, nature center and boat dock, where you can rent paddle boats and other types of pleasure craft. You'll love Fairyland and the food isn't too expensive either.
All types of great shows. Check their calendar. Also a good area to enjoy late night libations.
264 residents recomanen
Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph AveAll types of great shows. Check their calendar. Also a good area to enjoy late night libations.
Another great place for performances. I saw Chris Rock there and it was great. Also right in Uptown so there are bars and restaurants in the area.
120 residents recomanen
Paramount Theatre
2025 BroadwayAnother great place for performances. I saw Chris Rock there and it was great. Also right in Uptown so there are bars and restaurants in the area.
Shopping
If you're here on a Sat you don't want to miss the local Farmer's Market. There's a kids section with slides, plenty of food stands and all the fresh food you can handle. The hours are from 8 am to 3 pm I believe. But don't quote me on that. It's located in Splash Pad Park across from the Grand Lake Theater.
197 residents recomanen
Grand Lake Farmers Market
746 Grand AveIf you're here on a Sat you don't want to miss the local Farmer's Market. There's a kids section with slides, plenty of food stands and all the fresh food you can handle. The hours are from 8 am to 3 pm I believe. But don't quote me on that. It's located in Splash Pad Park across from the Grand Lake Theater.
About 2 blocks worth of gift shops, clothing stores, some restaurants and bars, places to get groceries and more. Also a little different feel from Grand Ave and only a couple blocks away. Definitely a must see if you're exploring the area.
26 residents recomanen
Lakeshore Avenue
Lakeshore AvenueAbout 2 blocks worth of gift shops, clothing stores, some restaurants and bars, places to get groceries and more. Also a little different feel from Grand Ave and only a couple blocks away. Definitely a must see if you're exploring the area.
About a 15 min walk from the house. Has all of the same types of shops that Lakeshore Ave has except significantly more. Restaurants, gift shops, groceries, only a few bars, coffee, etc.
81 residents recomanen
Piedmont Avenue
About a 15 min walk from the house. Has all of the same types of shops that Lakeshore Ave has except significantly more. Restaurants, gift shops, groceries, only a few bars, coffee, etc.
Essentials
This is the closest grocery store and literally a stones throw away at Sunny Slope and Grand Ave. There's also a Trader Joe's over on Lakeshore if you have a car but you can either walk or drive to Safeway.
62 residents recomanen
Safeway
3747 Grand AveThis is the closest grocery store and literally a stones throw away at Sunny Slope and Grand Ave. There's also a Trader Joe's over on Lakeshore if you have a car but you can either walk or drive to Safeway.
Close to the house, right off of Bonham Way. Wifi available. Also a dry cleaner who does a very nice job next door.
Grand Avenue Launderette
3796 Grand AveClose to the house, right off of Bonham Way. Wifi available. Also a dry cleaner who does a very nice job next door.