Oakland boasts one of the highest concentrations of LGBTQ+ households in the nation, and has long enjoyed LGBTQ+ leadership in local government. Oakland's vibrant LGBTQ+ community is complemented by a thriving LGBTQ+ business community. If you're coming to Oakland to enjoy its uniquely timed, family-friendly Pride Parade and Festival, here's an excellent itinerary.
Friday: Dinner and a Movie
Arriving in Oakland on Friday, check in to the colorful Moxy Hotel, a hip new lodge in the heart of the artsy, entertainment-focused Uptown District of downtown. From there, you have quick access to the heart of Oakland, and you’re just a few blocks from the Oakland Pride event.
Begin your Oakland Pride weekend with dinner and a movie! You can often find LGBTQ+-centric cinema at Oakland’s art-house movie theaters, including the Victorian-era Piedmont Theater, the extravagant Grand Lake Theater, or the unique New Parkway. The New Parkway sits close to the stylish, LGBTQ+ Friends & Family bar and eatery, and just steps from the lively, vegan-friendly Telegraph Beer Garden - all within three blocks of The Moxy.
For a more formal meal than local bar bites, you can find buzzy Parche a few blocks down W. Grand from The Moxy. The Michelin-recommended, Colombian-inspired restaurant enjoys a soaring reputation reflected in its hip patrons and a lively atmosphere. Don’t miss the creative cocktail menu featuring tropical fruits!
Saturday: Out on the Town
Start your Saturday with brunch at LGBTQ+-owned Home of Chicken and Waffles in the Jack London District, a long walk or a short bus ride (#12 or #72) from Broadway. Enjoy their signature dish of fried chicken over waffles, and pair it with a sweet-tea-inspired cocktail for the full Southern experience!
Stock up on everything you need for a picnic - including vegan and alcohol options - at LGBTQ+-owned Howden Market, a charming jewel box of a gourmet convenience store at 17th and Webster, just a few blocks from Lakeside Park.
After - or during - your picnic, visit the Gardens at Lake Merritt, which have long enjoyed a relationship with the LGBTQ+ community as patrons and volunteers. Stop for a photo at the campy entrance to Children's Fairyland, where rainbow letters spelling "Fairy" make for a delightful Instagram post.
While you’ll want to get plenty of sleep before the Pride festival, you could wind down your Saturday by visiting other LGBTQ+-owned businesses throughout Oakland.
Sunday: Oakland Pride Parade and Festival
Sunday is for enjoying the Oakland Pride Parade and Festival, a short walk from The Moxy. After the event winds down in the early evening, check out the LGBTQ+ bars around downtown with a bar crawl!
The annual Oakland Pride Parade will take place at 11:00 am down Broadway from 14th to 21st and it is free to the public. The Oakland Pridefest and celebration will follow starting at noon - 6:00 pm.
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