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Annual Events
- Oakland First Friday Street Festival
- Oakland Restaurant Week
- Oakland Cocktail Week
- Black Restaurant Week
- The Black Food & Wine Experience
- Oakland Running Festival
- Oakland Greek Festival
- Oaktown Half Marathon
- Oakland Pride Festival
- Oaktoberfest in the Dimond
- Oakland Black Cowboy Parade
- Autumn Lights Festival
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Just the facts
Who dwells here: Avid runners, young families, musicians, students, professionals
Main architecture: Art Deco to 1950s flats
Neighborhood giants: Lake Merritt
Best slice: Boot & Shoe Service
Where to mingle with locals: Every side of the lake
The vibe
Do you know those French impressionist paintings from the turn of the century? Lake Merritt could be a model for a 21st-century version. It has that Saturday-by-the-lake relaxed vibe. Geese quack, joggers loop the perimeter and rowers plunk their oars into the water. Add to that some barbequing, salsa dancing and sun bathing at Lakeside Park.
The inside inside scoop
This is Visit Oakland’s version of Believe it or Not. But believe this. Lake Merritt was the United States’ first official wildlife refuge (in 1870).
If you only have three hours
The 3.1-mile Lake Merritt can be walked, jogged, paddled, peddled or gondola-ed. A favorite is the authentic Venetian gondolas for two or more. Looking for a lakeside guide? The audio historic tour, “Once upon a time, happily ever after,” can be downloaded online, starting at the Rotary Nature Center.
Nearby is Children’s Fairyland, a storybook theme park that was the inspiration for THE theme park giant—Disneyland.
Thirsty after all that touring? Grab a pint at Portal, a margarita at Lake Chalet or a kombucha at Grand Lake Kitchen.
How to get here
Freeway exit: From I-580 E, the Grand Ave/Lakeshore exit; from I-580 W, the Grand Ave. exit
BART stop: 19th St/Oakland for Grand Ave. (though you’ll still need to take a bus, or walk about two miles to access the heart of Grand Ave.)
Bus lines: NL, 12, 58L, 75, 805 (all-nighter)
shop local
We are a family owned and community oriented cafe in Oakland serving good coffee and good...
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Bright Mediterranean cafe offering a varied menu with a focus on healthful dishes. Several...
Gormeh Sabzi $10 Fenugneek & chives infused khoresht with Amani lemons & kidney beans....
The Bellevue Club's rich history and architectural aesthetics make it an ideal private...
Here at Blue Nile, we believe food embodies family, community, tradition, culture, and...
This is the permanent home of over 150 outstanding bonsai trees. Bonsai, 'pot culture' in...
Stop by Blowdry Bar to get your hair styled. Each blowout includes a shampoo, blow dry and...
COVID Update: The Camron-Stanford House is now open Sundays from 11am-3pm Visit...
The secluded garden, bubbling fountain and picturesque veranda of the Camron-Stanford...
Our whimsical 10-acre park is a magical fantasy world where young children can create,...
Host an event that no one will forget! Birthday cake and ice cream next to Cinderella’s...
A cafe offering an upscale varietal menu such as salads, soups and panino neat grilled...
Chef Alberto Avramow Pitman was born and raised in Mexico City; where gastronomic...
The only black and woman owned beauty supply shop in Oakland.
A hidden jewel in the heart of city, this seven-acre collection of themed gardens is...
Glide across Lake Merritt in a beautiful Venetian gondola accompanied by a serenading...
A popular neighborhood restaurant offering one of the premier brunch experiences in...
May and David Wasem's flagship location Grand Lake Kitchen Lake Merritt offers American...
An Oakland original meets an Oakland icon with Ivy Hill at the original Parkway. We're...
Our mission is to cultivate curiosity and creative exploration through the arts and...
The garden is 3 acres with over 6,000 feet of combined indoor space. This internationally...
Escape the ordinary and discover life on the lake. Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill is...
Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill is one of Oakland's premier restaurants located on...
Lake Merritt is a focal point, it stands as the jewel of Oakland, even crowned with...
Enjoy a view of Oakland from the water as you paddle a pedal boat, kayak, or canoe on the...
Lake Merritt Sailboat House is adjacent to the nation’s largest salt water tidal lake,...
This large saltwater lake-one of the largest in the country-and the adjoining 122-acre...
Lakeside Park Garden Center (Marsha J. Corprew Memorial) at Lake Merritt was founded in...
We serve all kinds of espresso, drip coffee drinks & smoothies. Plus breakfast & lunch...
Ranging from classrooms to lecture halls to its theater, Laney College offers meeting and...
This restored 1920s building is a popular multicultural, multidisciplinary performing-arts...
professional lighting and sound capabilities. Stage Dimensions are length 33 X 36 width,...
This simple down-home short order grill and donut shop pumps out delicious pancakes,...
Authentic homestyle African cuisine with a dash of Caribbean that have been passed down...
Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) tells the many stories that comprise California,...
Situated on the shores of beautiful Lake Merritt, the Oakland Scottish Rite Center is a...
PieTisserie began after San Francisco native Jaynelle St. Jean staged a window of her...
Portal features unique appetizers, entreés, and contemporary beers. Our glass-enclosed...
RoastCo is a small batch specialty coffee roaster offering both single origin and blended...
We feature an array of tasty globally inspired frozen family style meals. Chef driven,...
A café by day and cocktail lounge by night. Room 389's café offers coffee, pastries,...
Neighborhood cafe with great coffee, cookies, and sandwiches.
The Rotary Nature Center is a citywide interpretive unit within OPR that maintains and...
Classic Mediterranean bistro fare and traditional comfort foods with creative twists.
Taco truck serving up delicious tacos and burritos.
Come join us to see seven acres of unique and beautiful themed gardens. Free general...
Located within the Port Workspaces, situated in the heart of downtown Oakland, adjacent to...
The panoramic view encompasses the blue-green of Lake Merritt and the lush Oakland hills....
Oakland's premier lake front restaurant, set in a 1920s art deco supper club with...