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This tree-lined area is just too quaint to handle.
Just the facts
Main strip: College Avenue
Who dwells here: Former Cal Berkeley grads and city-folk raising families in this upscale bungalowville
Population: 4,000
Founded: Early 1900s
Main architecture: California bungalows built in the early 20th century
Neighborhood giant: Market Hall
Best burger: Wood Tavern
Where to mingle with locals: Cole Coffee, Market Hall, Á Côté, Diesel Books
The vibe
At the foot of the Oakland Hills, Rockridge is a lovely burby-like haven where Cal Berkeley grads come to live when they exit their 20s and start yearning for historic cottages, nice gardens, and a 86 walk score. Twitterites and techies who have newly flown the coop are lucky to nab a place to live in this desirable hub. Even so, all ages come to explore this model main street where two indie bookstores thrive (Pegasus and Diesel). Extreme shoppers and companions of extreme shoppers should be warned: walking Rockridge will easily swallow an afternoon. There are home goods (Maison D’Etre) to baked goods (Market Hall Bakery), vintage (Pretty Penny, Lost & Found) to eco (Atomic Garden), jewels (Pavé) to shoes (Tootsies). A break for sustenance is always a storefront away with a dozen new eateries in 2013 alone, including Ramen Shop and A16 Rockridge. Oldies but goodies are Wood Tavern, Á Côté, and Dreyer’s Ice Cream Parlor, where the flavor Rocky Road was invented.
The inside inside scoop
The 2,000 hand-painted tiles in the Rockridge BART station form a mural that depicts the Oakland hills firestorm of 1991 as remembered by the survivors.
If you only have three hours
Market Hall is like Whole Foods but more neighborhoody, more curated. It has a butcher, seafood counter, deli, florist, tea shop, and a cheesemonger.
Grab a pie at Zachary’s to participate in the cornmeal-crust pizza warfare between this Rockridge institution and its San Francisco nemesis, Little Star. It’s a whole thing.
Frog Park is a tucked-away walking path that curves through a kind-of-hidden greenbelt of redwood trees and the Temescal Creek bed.
How to get here
- Freeway exit: From 1-80 E, take the exit toward CA-13 N/Berkeley/Broadway from CA-24 E
- BART stop: Rockridge
- Bus lines: 49, 51A, 51B
shop local
À Côté is a small-plates restaurant in Oakland’s charming Rockridge district. Fresh,...
A+ Burger is a burger joint that also offers rice and noodle bowls, salads and more. The...
Located in the dynamic Rockridge district, A16 shares a name with the highway that runs...
WE WANT TO MEET YOU AT ACRE. This is where community gathers, memories get made, and...
Arellano Salon has been providing customers salon services since 1993.
Stationery, home goods, clothing, baby items -- all recycled, sustainable or organic.
The Bambino Thrift Shop is a non-profit store operating solely for the benefit of UCSF...
A place to go for dim sum and dishes like Wonton soup, Sizzling Rice Soup, and Garlic...
Beer Baron Bar & Kitchen is located in Oakland, Rockridge; of College Ave. We are a...
Bella Vita specializes in unique and one of a kind merchandise with a mix of new and...
Belotti brings traditional Italian cooking with a modern touch. A relaxed and casual space...
Great pub food, local and hard to find beers, and well-crafted cocktails in an easy-going...
Our staff is mostly made up by artists and our living floral arrangements are outstanding....
Cactus Taqueria makes everything from scratch with no artificial ingredients, and all of...
COVID Update: Chic is open by appointment only. To make an appointment please call in...
Their poached eggs and drip coffee are a hit among customers.
In 2010, Jimmy and Gus led the Shamieh family in opening the first CREAM location in...
Serving sweet and savory crepes, sandwiches, omelettes and more in hearty portions.
Our College Avenue store in Rockridge has been a mainstay of the Oakland community for...
Boutique in the Rockridge district carrying dresses, trendy tops, and accessories.
Down at Lulu's has been Oakland's treasured rock'n'roll vintage boutique since 2006....
Known for our fascinating selection of titles, stunning author events, enthusiastically...
Enoteca Molinari is a small Italian restaurant & wine bar in Oakland (3 blocks from BART...
Celebrating the golden years of classic Hollywood glamour and Las Vegas showgirl sparkle...
Carrying women's designer clothing, jewelry, accessories, and shoes.
This outpost of a small chain features a menu of standard Indian entrees in a contemporary...
At Highwire we bring our own approach to coffee and roasting. We evaluated and...
Pho, noodles, rolls & other Vietnamese staples in spacious, rustic surrounds with high...
Established in 1985, Hudson Bay Cafe has been a staple in the Rockridge community for...
We carry a wide range of quality clothes for today’s plus-size woman. Visit our boutique...
Khana Peena is a family owned and operated Indian bistro. Their menu features seasonal...
This is Oakland & this is Kitchen Story Welcome to Kitchen Story Oakland. We are located...
A taqueria in Rockridge that offers classic Mexican food. The fish tacos are a crowd...
A new taqueria in the Rockridge neighborhood. The restaurant is owned by Thomas Schnetz of...
La Farine offers the finest in French pastries, delicious fruit and nut tarts, classic...
Lesley Evers is a SF Bay Area based apparel line featuring a memorable line of mid-century...
Maison d’Etre playfully suggests the store’s reason for being, to celebrate life at home....
A delightful & stylish dining destination located in the Rockridge district. Chef...
For 25 years, The Pasta Shop has provided the East Bay with the finest prepared foods,...
Home to generations of Oaklanders since 1933, McNally’s is a perfect place to wet your...
Chef-owner Eric Tucker’s vegan restaurant has an established reputation, starting in San...
Open Mind Music was established in 1994 in San Francisco by Henry Wimmer. For 14 years it...
Paul Marcus Wines is a friendly, sophisticated neighborhood wine shop in the Rockridge...
Pavé Fine Jewelry was founded in 1983 by Michael Endlich, an award winning jewelry...
A neighborhood fixture in the Rockridge district since 1969, Pegasus Oakland carries a...
For more than 15 years, Pharmaca has been a force for change in the world of natural...
Pizza is the specialty at this casual restaurant, but you’ll also find a wide selection of...
Pizza is the specialty at this casual restaurant, but you’ll also find a wide selection of...
The Pretty Penny is a bright and spacious shop that features a large and constantly...
Pucquio humbly pays homage to the ancient traditions of the Peruvian cuisine. Our...
Started by three Chez Panisse alums, the Ramen Shop specializes in artistic, organic and...
Redfield Cider Bar & Bottle Shop is a cider-focused bar, bottle shop, and eatery...
After 25 years of preparing authentic Japanese cuisine for exceptional restaurants such as...
Serving homemade food since 1973. Indulge in any of their signature dishes including...
Carrying handmade furniture and offering design consulting services.
SOI4 'Soi' is a Thai word for side streets or alley ways which, together, form the...
Crab sandwiches, southie slaw, polenta with pulled pork, sous vide egg and salsa verde are...
Sweet Adeline is a neighborhood bakeshop where everything is made in small batches. They...
Unique treasures and rare, beautiful fabrics and estate jewelry.
A menu of burritos, tacos, and gourmet bowls.
Stop in for a cup of melted hot chocolate and take home one or all of their assorted...
The Yoni Temple is a safe and sacred space where you can feel pampered while receiving a...
Featuring exhibitions of all mediums.
Customers love how fresh Uzen's sushi always is. Also serving delicious cooked dishes,...
We are a contemporary, rustic neighborhood restaurant serving an American brasserie...
At Yimm, we serve the same food that we grew up eating cooked by our grandpas, grandmas,...
Zachary's Chicago Pizza is 100% employee-owned with five locations in the San Francisco...