Guidebook for Oakland
Everything Else
Easy train or bus access to downtown SF, Berkeley, and Oakland.
127 locals recommend
Rockridge Station
5660 College AveEasy train or bus access to downtown SF, Berkeley, and Oakland.
Maybe you're in town visiting your daughter or sone who is attending UC-Berkeley, or you want to take a tour with a prospective student.
427 locals recommend
University of California, Berkeley
Oxford StreetMaybe you're in town visiting your daughter or sone who is attending UC-Berkeley, or you want to take a tour with a prospective student.
Food Scene
Good, reasonably-priced Mexican food with a great small bites menu that's perfect for kids.
62 locals recommend
Cactus Taqueria
5642 College AveGood, reasonably-priced Mexican food with a great small bites menu that's perfect for kids.
Our kids love to watch the sushi boats go 'round and 'round, grabbing the ones that look delicious. Sushi chef Ben will talk sci-fi movies with you, if you catch him on a slower night....
23 locals recommend
Takara Sushi
4243 18th StOur kids love to watch the sushi boats go 'round and 'round, grabbing the ones that look delicious. Sushi chef Ben will talk sci-fi movies with you, if you catch him on a slower night....
You might think you don't like Thai food, but this is an amazing take on it. A 25 for food on Zagat.
28 locals recommend
Soi 4 Bangkok Eatery
5421 College AveYou might think you don't like Thai food, but this is an amazing take on it. A 25 for food on Zagat.
On Friday nights they host a mini meet up of food trucks (different trucks each week) in front of Studio One. Great if you can't agree on dinner. Bring a bottle of wine and picnic on the lawn.
Studio One Arts Center
365 45th StOn Friday nights they host a mini meet up of food trucks (different trucks each week) in front of Studio One. Great if you can't agree on dinner. Bring a bottle of wine and picnic on the lawn.
Diner-style restaurant for breakfast or lunch. Sit at the counter on a busy day and watch the chefs work their magic. The croissant french toast is delicious!
14 locals recommend
Rockridge Cafe
5492 College AveDiner-style restaurant for breakfast or lunch. Sit at the counter on a busy day and watch the chefs work their magic. The croissant french toast is delicious!
A16
2355 Chestnut StThis is one of over 30 restaurants within walking distance of our house. Check out A16 right down the street, or Khana Peena for Indian, or the new Peruvian place, or sushi right next door, or....
17 locals recommend
Marica Restaurant
5301 College AvenueThis is one of over 30 restaurants within walking distance of our house. Check out A16 right down the street, or Khana Peena for Indian, or the new Peruvian place, or sushi right next door, or....
Entertainment & Activities
Farmers' market on Sunday mornings. Yummy produce and prepared foods. Don't miss the family-run Pot Pie Paradise stand.
96 locals recommend
Temescal Farmer's Market
5300 Claremont AveFarmers' market on Sunday mornings. Yummy produce and prepared foods. Don't miss the family-run Pot Pie Paradise stand.
Drive or take the bus there, and take a trip back in time to this pre-Disney play land. Perfect for younger kids, charming for adults. Don't miss taking a ride on the Jolly Trolley.
140 locals recommend
Children’S Fairyland
699 Bellevue AveDrive or take the bus there, and take a trip back in time to this pre-Disney play land. Perfect for younger kids, charming for adults. Don't miss taking a ride on the Jolly Trolley.
A great neighborhood burger joint. The kids love to a "Little Chris" and split a milkshake.
Christopher's Burger
5295 College AveA great neighborhood burger joint. The kids love to a "Little Chris" and split a milkshake.
Great park / playground for the younger set. Perfect for burning off some energy after the farmers market.
23 locals recommend
Rockridge-Temescal Greenbelt
5500 Claremont AveGreat park / playground for the younger set. Perfect for burning off some energy after the farmers market.
Best playground in Oakland, plus hiking, swimming pool, and redwoods as far as you can see.
31 locals recommend
Roberts Regional Recreation Area
10570 Skyline BlvdBest playground in Oakland, plus hiking, swimming pool, and redwoods as far as you can see.
Essentials
Small grocery with attached coffee shop. It's up a steep hill, but this is a great place to grab morning pastries or supplies to make dinner.
14 locals recommend
Village Market
5885 Broadway TerraceSmall grocery with attached coffee shop. It's up a steep hill, but this is a great place to grab morning pastries or supplies to make dinner.
Sightseeing
Great place to take a hike. You'll be amazed how quickly you can go from an urban environment to nature (15 minutes). Requires a car, but if you're a cyclist lots of people make the trip.
80 locals recommend
Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
Great place to take a hike. You'll be amazed how quickly you can go from an urban environment to nature (15 minutes). Requires a car, but if you're a cyclist lots of people make the trip.
Shopping
See's Candies
5802 College AveFree samples!
Great housewares and furniture shop featuring vintage items and of local artists/designers. We love the recycled bike tube rugs.
5357 College Ave
5357 College AvenueGreat housewares and furniture shop featuring vintage items and of local artists/designers. We love the recycled bike tube rugs.
Several great shops on the alley, all run by local artists. This is worth a visit.
65 locals recommend
Temescal Alley
Temescal AlleySeveral great shops on the alley, all run by local artists. This is worth a visit.
Rockridge
Diesel Books & Pegasus are local, independent book stores.