Lake Merritt in Oakland is the largest fresh and salt water lake located in the heart of an urban area. Numerous parks, walking paths, a golf course, and cultural attractions surround the 3.4 mile lake. Visitors can also kayak on Lake Merritt.
Lakeshore Avenue & Grand Avenue
The Grand-Lakeshore district is the crossroads of Oakland. Seemingly everyone in town spends time here, whether they walk in from the surrounding neighborhoods, ride in on one of the major bus lines that pass through or drive in for a couple of hours of shopping and noshing. The well-known diversity of the city can be seen here from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. most days of the week. The district is also just a short walk from Lake Merritt, Oakland's crown jewel, making it a great place to stop before or after a leisurely stroll along water. The Lakeshore Avenue shopping and dining strip is a shorter stretch than Grand, but the street is narrower and more businesses are packed in, so it's constantly alive with diners, shoppers and people watchers. The tree-lined street is a great place to stroll, eat, window shop, and catch up with friends.
Marco and I love Arizmendi they have fresh-baked goods, like bread and pizza, straight out of the oven and into your hands (ouch!) and good coffee too!
3265 Lakeshore Ave., (510) 268-8849
Michael Mischer Chocolates: Michael Mischer doesn't make candy -- he makes delicious variations of truffles and bon-bons. Yes, there are the mocha and caramel crowd pleasers, but those are mere opening acts to main events such as champagne, pear, tequila and green tea.
3352 Grand Ave., (510) 986-1822.
Downtown Oakland
Oakland Museum of California. The three–tiered Oakland Museum of California opened in 1969 with the mission of providing unique collections, exhibitions and academic programs to provide a deeper understanding of California’s history, its people, environment, and future. The museum’s permanent gallery collections include the Gallery of California Art that houses original art; California: A Place, A People, A Dream, which explores the social complexities of California; and Walk Across California, which explores California’s natural history. Visit http://www.oaklandmuseum.org/.
Chinatown
The hub of Chinatown is the Pacific Renaissance Plaza, a multi-story residential and commercial complex, which houses a large underground parking garage and features two levels of shops and restaurants. The plaza is also home to the Oakland Asian Cultural Center and the Asian branch of the Oakland Public Library.
Mignonne: Located in Oakland's Historic District, Mignonne is a French inspired boutique that carries home décor, personal care, and unique gift items for women and men. They also carry my pillows there. Have fun!
1000 Jefferson Street, 510.444.5288
www.mignonnedecor.com
G.B. Ratto & Co. International Grocers: They sell the wares found at most Italian delis (pasta, sauces, cold cuts, cheeses, olives, breads, sweets and excellent deli sandwiches), plus more exotic items from around the world such as North African harissa, Indian spice pastes and forbidden black rice from China. Pasta, grains, beans, spices and flour are all available in bulk, and their house label wine vinegars and olive oil are some of the best around. Tantalizing and mysterious kitchen gadgets abound.
821 Washington St., (510) 832-6503.
Caffe 817: Their fine breakfasts and lunches feature treats such as Italian eggwiches, polenta, sandwiches, salads, pizza and daily specials. The ingredients are mainly organic and locally produced, and the coffee is excellent.
817 Washington, (510) 271-7965.
Lakeshore Avenue & Grand Avenue
The Grand-Lakeshore district is the crossroads of Oakland. Seemingly everyone in town spends time here, whether they walk in from the surrounding neighborhoods, ride in on one of the major bus lines that pass through or drive in for a couple of hours of shopping and noshing. The well-known diversity of the city can be seen here from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. most days of the week. The district is also just a short walk from Lake Merritt, Oakland's crown jewel, making it a great place to stop before or after a leisurely stroll along water. The Lakeshore Avenue shopping and dining strip is a shorter stretch than Grand, but the street is narrower and more businesses are packed in, so it's constantly alive with diners, shoppers and people watchers. The tree-lined street is a great place to stroll, eat, window shop, and catch up with friends.
Marco and I love Arizmendi they have fresh-baked goods, like bread and pizza, straight out of the oven and into your hands (ouch!) and good coffee too!
3265 Lakeshore Ave., (510) 268-8849
Michael Mischer Chocolates: Michael Mischer doesn't make candy -- he makes delicious variations of truffles and bon-bons. Yes, there are the mocha and caramel crowd pleasers, but those are mere opening acts to main events such as champagne, pear, tequila and green tea.
3352 Grand Ave., (510) 986-1822.
Downtown Oakland
Oakland Museum of California. The three–tiered Oakland Museum of California opened in 1969 with the mission of providing unique collections, exhibitions and academic programs to provide a deeper understanding of California’s history, its people, environment, and future. The museum’s permanent gallery collections include the Gallery of California Art that houses original art; California: A Place, A People, A Dream, which explores the social complexities of California; and Walk Across California, which explores California’s natural history. Visit http://www.oaklandmuseum.org/.
Chinatown
The hub of Chinatown is the Pacific Renaissance Plaza, a multi-story residential and commercial complex, which houses a large underground parking garage and features two levels of shops and restaurants. The plaza is also home to the Oakland Asian Cultural Center and the Asian branch of the Oakland Public Library.
Mignonne: Located in Oakland's Historic District, Mignonne is a French inspired boutique that carries home décor, personal care, and unique gift items for women and men. They also carry my pillows there. Have fun!
1000 Jefferson Street, 510.444.5288
www.mignonnedecor.com
G.B. Ratto & Co. International Grocers: They sell the wares found at most Italian delis (pasta, sauces, cold cuts, cheeses, olives, breads, sweets and excellent deli sandwiches), plus more exotic items from around the world such as North African harissa, Indian spice pastes and forbidden black rice from China. Pasta, grains, beans, spices and flour are all available in bulk, and their house label wine vinegars and olive oil are some of the best around. Tantalizing and mysterious kitchen gadgets abound.
821 Washington St., (510) 832-6503.
Caffe 817: Their fine breakfasts and lunches feature treats such as Italian eggwiches, polenta, sandwiches, salads, pizza and daily specials. The ingredients are mainly organic and locally produced, and the coffee is excellent.
817 Washington, (510) 271-7965.
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