jade408

Don’t believe the rumors, Oakland is one of the best places in the Bay Area. It’s close to everything if you need to leave, but has almost everything you could want (except department stores and a conventional mall, go to Walnut Creek).

First and foremost Oakland is the land of neighbohoods and each has benefits and drawbacks. These range from exclusive, suburban, urban, ghetto, sketchy, “picket fence-ish,” waterfront, sunny and everything else in between.

Best stuff to see or do.

Rockridge Neighborhood: this is just a good place to live. It would be reccommended for tourists to visit if only because it is the opposite of the typical sterotype of Oakland. Walkable, with a BART station, great restaurants and shops. Just about all the food in the world is there and most restaurants are really good whether you are feeling cheap or ritzy. Lots of cool classic CA houses from Arts and Crafts and more.

Lake Merrit/Lakeshore/Grand Avenue

Awesome lakeside “park” with Bird sanctuary and bonsai garden along with the Fairyland for kids. also gool architecture when walking around the lake with cool Deco and more. The Lakeshore and Grand Avenues are quirky shopping/eating districts. Check out Michael Miner for truffles. don;t foget to visit the Grand Lake Theater or the Saturday Farmers market in the Splashpad.

Chinatown (see other comments)

Downtown it is a bit different than what I would call “real downtowns” but things are changing and pretty son it will be bustling. Now it is halfway between empty and lively. Lots of great Victorians. Check out Preservation Park on your way to chinatown or the Jack London Square Area. check out the Paramount for the coolest Art Deco theater around

Piedmont Avenue Area

This is just south of Rockridge. A land of strollers, dog walkers and Americana. A bit weird but nice. Feeling 50s? Go to Fenton’s and have the most giant sundae you will ever see. (Bring 2 or 3 friends to share it with). also check out the cemetary and the amazing Rose Garden while you are in the neighbohood. Some people call it “upper-crusty.” A weird pocket of warm weather and sun when compared with Berkeley, Downtown Oakland and even Rockridge. Maybe 2-4 degrees warmer.

Fruitvale/International Blvd

This is “sketchy” after dark but head her for great latin food and your own taste of the Mission in the east bay.

Try a tour @ Scharffen Berger

http://www.scharffenberger.com/