Guidebook for Oakland
Essentials
This is the nearest grocery store to you. There's also a pharmacy here.
54 recommandé par les habitants
Safeway
2600 Fifth St This is the nearest grocery store to you. There's also a pharmacy here.
Pricey, but swell - high end organic foods and specialty groceries
553 recommandé par les habitants
Whole Foods Market
230 Bay PlPricey, but swell - high end organic foods and specialty groceries
My favorite place for facials, nails, lash extensions - all the fun girl essentials, staffed with knowledgable, friendly, highly competent staff
Rockridge Day Spa
5413 College AveMy favorite place for facials, nails, lash extensions - all the fun girl essentials, staffed with knowledgable, friendly, highly competent staff
This barber spa is old-school meets new-school, with friendly, highly competent staff who know their stuff, treat you right, and give you a cold beer along with your shave and a haircut. My boyfriend loves this place.
Charles Blades Barber Spa
180 2nd StThis barber spa is old-school meets new-school, with friendly, highly competent staff who know their stuff, treat you right, and give you a cold beer along with your shave and a haircut. My boyfriend loves this place.
I love my hair stylist - Kaitrin Sears is wonderfully talented at cuts, color, and makeup. The salon is located in the Rockridge area of Oakland - there's good shopping to be had there as well.
FUTURE Vanity/Novelty
5405 College AveI love my hair stylist - Kaitrin Sears is wonderfully talented at cuts, color, and makeup. The salon is located in the Rockridge area of Oakland - there's good shopping to be had there as well.
Entertainment & Activities
Fabulous indoor mini-golf course and bar, with imaginative holes that seem to be a mashup of Jules Vern and Rube Goldberg. Make an evening of it; there's an excellent restaurant upstairs. A must-see! No children on the golf course after 8pm, so if you have kids, play early then eat upstairs afterwards.
150 recommandé par les habitants
Urban Putt
1096 S Van Ness AveFabulous indoor mini-golf course and bar, with imaginative holes that seem to be a mashup of Jules Vern and Rube Goldberg. Make an evening of it; there's an excellent restaurant upstairs. A must-see! No children on the golf course after 8pm, so if you have kids, play early then eat upstairs afterwards.
Awesome vintage pinball machines for you to play - $15 gets you in and playing all day.
68 recommandé par les habitants
Pacific Pinball Museum
1510 Webster StAwesome vintage pinball machines for you to play - $15 gets you in and playing all day.
Fisherman's Wharf is a tourist trap for sure, but the Musee Mecanique is worth an entire afternoon's visit. Vintage arcade games dating back to Victorian era, fully operational and all for guests to play and enjoy. Amazing and fun for pretty much anyone who likes old things, fun stuff, or was a kid once. The Boudin factory across the street is an interesting exhibit of SF sourdough bread, and the food is tasty. Another good place to eat is Alioto's - operational since the 1930s (with ties to SF's now-defunct mafia). If all tourist destinations were like this, the world would be a better place.
87 recommandé par les habitants
Musée Mécanique
Fishermans WharfFisherman's Wharf is a tourist trap for sure, but the Musee Mecanique is worth an entire afternoon's visit. Vintage arcade games dating back to Victorian era, fully operational and all for guests to play and enjoy. Amazing and fun for pretty much anyone who likes old things, fun stuff, or was a kid once. The Boudin factory across the street is an interesting exhibit of SF sourdough bread, and the food is tasty. Another good place to eat is Alioto's - operational since the 1930s (with ties to SF's now-defunct mafia). If all tourist destinations were like this, the world would be a better place.
THIS IS SHOWING AN INCORRECT LOCATION; THE EXPLORATORIUM IS NOW AT PIER 41.
Super cool science-based interactive museum for the curious. It was one of the first museums of its kind, and remains one of the best. Well worth a full day for all ages.
432 recommandé par les habitants
Exploratorium
Green StreetTHIS IS SHOWING AN INCORRECT LOCATION; THE EXPLORATORIUM IS NOW AT PIER 41.
Super cool science-based interactive museum for the curious. It was one of the first museums of its kind, and remains one of the best. Well worth a full day for all ages.
Vintage 80s video arcade games: Pac-man, Wreck-It-Ralph, etc. Great hangout and open til 10pm
18 recommandé par les habitants
High Scores Arcade
1414 Park StVintage 80s video arcade games: Pac-man, Wreck-It-Ralph, etc. Great hangout and open til 10pm
Sightseeing
The Mission District is SF's Mexican neighborhood. Beautiful murals, good eats. Urban, funky, gritty, vibrant, unfancy and fabulous. Get authentic Mexican tacos and snacks at La Taqueria on Mission and 25th, then stroll down 24th Street towards Potrero to see the shops and murals. Be sure to stop into a bakery for pastries and chocolate. For more of a sit-down meal, try San Jalisco on South Van Ness and 20th.
355 recommandé par les habitants
Mission District
The Mission District is SF's Mexican neighborhood. Beautiful murals, good eats. Urban, funky, gritty, vibrant, unfancy and fabulous. Get authentic Mexican tacos and snacks at La Taqueria on Mission and 25th, then stroll down 24th Street towards Potrero to see the shops and murals. Be sure to stop into a bakery for pastries and chocolate. For more of a sit-down meal, try San Jalisco on South Van Ness and 20th.
Classic San Francisco at its best: Beautiful building, gorgeous views, and stunning WPA era murals. If you like art and scenery, this is a tourist destination well worth the trip. It's really not necessary to go to the top; skip the lines and walk down Telegraph Hill to spot its famous wild parrots.
545 recommandé par les habitants
Coit Tower
Classic San Francisco at its best: Beautiful building, gorgeous views, and stunning WPA era murals. If you like art and scenery, this is a tourist destination well worth the trip. It's really not necessary to go to the top; skip the lines and walk down Telegraph Hill to spot its famous wild parrots.
A funky San Francisco treasure, this tiny hole-in-the-wall cookie factory is hidden away on a back alley in Chinatown. It's so neat to come in and watch the cookies being made - and to make your own by writing a fortune on a slip of paper. A great way to see an out-of-the-way part of Chinatown.
32 recommandé par les habitants
Golden Gate Fortune Cookies Co
56 Ross AlleyA funky San Francisco treasure, this tiny hole-in-the-wall cookie factory is hidden away on a back alley in Chinatown. It's so neat to come in and watch the cookies being made - and to make your own by writing a fortune on a slip of paper. A great way to see an out-of-the-way part of Chinatown.
For people wanting to experience the secret sites of San Francisco, this colorful staircase hidden in the quiet Sunset district rewards pilgrims with sweeping views of the city, and a beautiful succulent garden design framing it. See it here: http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/secret-tiled-staircase
84 recommandé par les habitants
16 Avenue Tiled Steps
16th AvenueFor people wanting to experience the secret sites of San Francisco, this colorful staircase hidden in the quiet Sunset district rewards pilgrims with sweeping views of the city, and a beautiful succulent garden design framing it. See it here: http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/secret-tiled-staircase
Even if you don't buy anything, the gourmet food stalls and shops here are a feast for the senses. Gorgeous architecture and views. Take the ferry from JL on Tuesday or Saturday and enjoy the farmer's market for a glorious morning/afternoon. Hog Island Oyster bar and Gotts Roadside Diner are two great restaurants there
679 recommandé par les habitants
Ferry Building Marketplace
Even if you don't buy anything, the gourmet food stalls and shops here are a feast for the senses. Gorgeous architecture and views. Take the ferry from JL on Tuesday or Saturday and enjoy the farmer's market for a glorious morning/afternoon. Hog Island Oyster bar and Gotts Roadside Diner are two great restaurants there
Shopping
Hayes Valley is an upscale neighborhood with lots of cool shops, bars, and restaurants. Lovely area shopping and eating away from typical tourist traps. Rent bicycles at Linden and Octavia Streets if you like. Triple Aught has distinctive men's clothing, Marine Layer has super-soft shirts, Absinthe is a lovely place for a drink or dinner, Dark Garden Corsetry has a wondrous selection of hand-crafted corsets and ladies' fine underthings. A charming park showcases delightful public art pieces from years of Burning Men past. ;-) There's truly something for everyone here.
223 recommandé par les habitants
Hayes Valley
Hayes Valley is an upscale neighborhood with lots of cool shops, bars, and restaurants. Lovely area shopping and eating away from typical tourist traps. Rent bicycles at Linden and Octavia Streets if you like. Triple Aught has distinctive men's clothing, Marine Layer has super-soft shirts, Absinthe is a lovely place for a drink or dinner, Dark Garden Corsetry has a wondrous selection of hand-crafted corsets and ladies' fine underthings. A charming park showcases delightful public art pieces from years of Burning Men past. ;-) There's truly something for everyone here.
Food Scene
Carnival-themed American food, beautifully plated, in a fun, clever setting. Really delightful place to eat, I usually take friends here when visiting from out of town. Great brunch on the weekends!
43 recommandé par les habitants
Straw
203 Octavia BoulevardCarnival-themed American food, beautifully plated, in a fun, clever setting. Really delightful place to eat, I usually take friends here when visiting from out of town. Great brunch on the weekends!
Great drinks and rustic American fare. One of my favorites - and it's right around the corner from you!
55 recommandé par les habitants
Chop Bar
190 4th StGreat drinks and rustic American fare. One of my favorites - and it's right around the corner from you!
I've never eaten anything I didn't love here. Magnus and I spent a few months just eating at Bocanova whenever we ate out, just for fun. Great cocktails and a lovely weekend brunch. Not cheap, though ;-)
24 recommandé par les habitants
Bocanova
I've never eaten anything I didn't love here. Magnus and I spent a few months just eating at Bocanova whenever we ate out, just for fun. Great cocktails and a lovely weekend brunch. Not cheap, though ;-)
The Pantry Pizza & More
222 Madison StPizza by the slice or pie. Good stuff, nice people, reasonably priced.
Great place for breakfast at reasonable prices. Busy, bustling, unpretentious, and yummy. The kind of place where everyone shows up.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Oakland Grill
301 Franklin StGreat place for breakfast at reasonable prices. Busy, bustling, unpretentious, and yummy. The kind of place where everyone shows up.
Some of the best coffee available in a sleek, hip setting. The lattes are excellent.
173 recommandé par les habitants
Blue Bottle Coffee
300 Webster StSome of the best coffee available in a sleek, hip setting. The lattes are excellent.
Excellent vegetarian fare, and tasty enough for carnivores to enjoy
15 recommandé par les habitants
Encuentro
550 2nd StExcellent vegetarian fare, and tasty enough for carnivores to enjoy
This classic, old-school Italian deli is THE place to get rustic Italian sandwiches to order while enjoying the ambiance of old San Francisco's North Beach district. Highly recommended.
32 recommandé par les habitants
Molinari Delicatessen
373 Columbus AveThis classic, old-school Italian deli is THE place to get rustic Italian sandwiches to order while enjoying the ambiance of old San Francisco's North Beach district. Highly recommended.
If you want to avoid the schlep into the city, this place has great Dim Sum in Oakland's Chinatown - a fun place to walk around and sight-see
Peony Seafood Restaurant
388 9th StIf you want to avoid the schlep into the city, this place has great Dim Sum in Oakland's Chinatown - a fun place to walk around and sight-see
Delicious paella and Spanish dishes. Watch out for the sangria - it goes down easy, but packs a real kick!
Venga Paella Catering
Delicious paella and Spanish dishes. Watch out for the sangria - it goes down easy, but packs a real kick!
One of the best in a city of great restaurants. Outstanding cocktails and innovative cuisine. Highly recommended.
56 recommandé par les habitants
Bar Agricole
1540 11th StOne of the best in a city of great restaurants. Outstanding cocktails and innovative cuisine. Highly recommended.
Swanky, with craft cocktails and a hip vibe. This is the hot SF restaurant these days
20 recommandé par les habitants
Dirty Habit
12 4th StSwanky, with craft cocktails and a hip vibe. This is the hot SF restaurant these days
Beer enthusiasts may need to make multiple visits. One of the most extensive beer and ale lists you'll find anywhere in a small, hip gastropub. Wonderful and not too spendy.
177 recommandé par les habitants
The Monk's Kettle
3141 16th StreetBeer enthusiasts may need to make multiple visits. One of the most extensive beer and ale lists you'll find anywhere in a small, hip gastropub. Wonderful and not too spendy.
Some of the best cocktails, prosciutto, and fresh oysters in town. Need I say more? One of my absolute favorite places to eat.
45 recommandé par les habitants
Hog & Rocks
3431 19th StreetSome of the best cocktails, prosciutto, and fresh oysters in town. Need I say more? One of my absolute favorite places to eat.
Drinks & Nightlife
Operational since the Gold Rush days, this North Beach bar is a classic serving up some serious mixology. Check it out.
48 recommandé par les habitants
Comstock Saloon
155 Columbus AveOperational since the Gold Rush days, this North Beach bar is a classic serving up some serious mixology. Check it out.
Extremely cool Tiki bar serving imaginative tropical concoctions with fresh-squeezed juices in a gorgeous tiki environment. Alameda has some real gems, and Forbidden Island is one of them.
71 recommandé par les habitants
Forbidden Island
1304 Lincoln AveExtremely cool Tiki bar serving imaginative tropical concoctions with fresh-squeezed juices in a gorgeous tiki environment. Alameda has some real gems, and Forbidden Island is one of them.
This tiny, slightly seedy piano bar is a long-standing, somewhat-secret, beloved Oakland institution - where patrons sit around the grand piano and take turns singing showtunes from the great American songbook to the accompaniment of the wonderful pianist. If you love singing along to Broadway musicals and pre-1970s classics, this is the place for you. Don't even think about requesting anything prior to "Cabaret"
60 recommandé par les habitants
The Alley | Piano Bar & Restaurant
3325 Grand AveThis tiny, slightly seedy piano bar is a long-standing, somewhat-secret, beloved Oakland institution - where patrons sit around the grand piano and take turns singing showtunes from the great American songbook to the accompaniment of the wonderful pianist. If you love singing along to Broadway musicals and pre-1970s classics, this is the place for you. Don't even think about requesting anything prior to "Cabaret"
Arts & Culture
Ed Ruscha exhibit is up right now - haven't seen it, but want to! Golden Gate Park is worth a trip anyway ;-)
1000 recommandé par les habitants
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrEd Ruscha exhibit is up right now - haven't seen it, but want to! Golden Gate Park is worth a trip anyway ;-)