Guidebook for Piedmont
Essentials
Safeway
3747 Grand AvePiedmont Grocery Co
4038 Piedmont AveTrader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveWhole Foods Market
230 Bay PlGrand Lake Ace Hardware Inc
1221 Grand AveHardware
Mulberry's Market
335 Highland AveTarget
1057 Eastshore HwyIKEA
4400 Shellmound StFurniture
Getting Around
19th Street Station
339 19th StFood Scene
Timeless Coffee
4252 Piedmont AveJack London Square station
245 2nd St
Temescal Farmer's Market
5300 Claremont AveBlue Bottle Coffee (HQ)
480 9th StreetFrom the culinary imagination of chef Russell Moore (a Chez Panisse alum), Camino’s short daily-changing menu showcases the best of local organic produce and meats, most cooked over an open fire in slow-food-meets-California-now style. The tables are of recycled old-growth redwood and the place buzzes with bon vivants buzzed on craft cocktails and European and California wines. Reservations essential.
45 locals recommend
Camino
3917 Grand AveFrom the culinary imagination of chef Russell Moore (a Chez Panisse alum), Camino’s short daily-changing menu showcases the best of local organic produce and meats, most cooked over an open fire in slow-food-meets-California-now style. The tables are of recycled old-growth redwood and the place buzzes with bon vivants buzzed on craft cocktails and European and California wines. Reservations essential.
The East Bay's only Michelin-starred restaurant, the signless and discreet dining room counts a minimalist decor and some coveted counter real estate where patrons can watch chef James Syhabout and his team piece together creative and innovative dishes, maybe Monterey Bay abalone, soy-milk custard with chanterelles or a perfectly ripe peach topped with oats, beeswax creme and marigolds. Reservations essential.
53 locals recommend
Commis
3859 Piedmont AveThe East Bay's only Michelin-starred restaurant, the signless and discreet dining room counts a minimalist decor and some coveted counter real estate where patrons can watch chef James Syhabout and his team piece together creative and innovative dishes, maybe Monterey Bay abalone, soy-milk custard with chanterelles or a perfectly ripe peach topped with oats, beeswax creme and marigolds. Reservations essential.
A rival to San Francisco's Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, this bountiful weekly market hauls in bushels of fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, ranched meats, artisanal cheese and baked goods from as far away as Marin County and the Central Valley. The northern side of the market is cheek-to-jowl with food trucks and hot-food vendors – don't skip the dim-sum tent.
197 locals recommend
Grand Lake Farmers Market
746 Grand AveA rival to San Francisco's Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, this bountiful weekly market hauls in bushels of fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, ranched meats, artisanal cheese and baked goods from as far away as Marin County and the Central Valley. The northern side of the market is cheek-to-jowl with food trucks and hot-food vendors – don't skip the dim-sum tent.
Mac 'n' cheese, the ultimate in American comfort food, gets a long-overdue ovation at this quirky restaurant with a primary-school theme. A menu of whimsical options – including 'Mac the Goat' with chevre, Greek-style 'Maxcimus' or Sriracha mac with ginger butter – are more gourmet than anything mom packed for your lunchbox. Local beers on tap.
149 locals recommend
Homeroom
400 40th StMac 'n' cheese, the ultimate in American comfort food, gets a long-overdue ovation at this quirky restaurant with a primary-school theme. A menu of whimsical options – including 'Mac the Goat' with chevre, Greek-style 'Maxcimus' or Sriracha mac with ginger butter – are more gourmet than anything mom packed for your lunchbox. Local beers on tap.
Old Oakland's 100-year-old marketplace has been given new life with a gourmet food court, where the wooden tables are always full, day and night. Stop at Cosecha for Mexican fare, AS B-Dama for udon noodles and Japanese fried chicken, Delage sushi bar, the Cook & Her Farmer oyster bar and cafe, Rosamunde Sausage Grill or Miss Ollie's for Caribbean food.
55 locals recommend
Swan's Market
538 9th StOld Oakland's 100-year-old marketplace has been given new life with a gourmet food court, where the wooden tables are always full, day and night. Stop at Cosecha for Mexican fare, AS B-Dama for udon noodles and Japanese fried chicken, Delage sushi bar, the Cook & Her Farmer oyster bar and cafe, Rosamunde Sausage Grill or Miss Ollie's for Caribbean food.
Aussie expat Alison Barakat has patrons licking their lips and lining up out the door and down the block for heavenly strawberry shortcake and scrumptious fried-chicken sandwiches. Rolling pins dangle from the ceiling and blissed-out locals sit down at ironing-board sidewalk tables.
196 locals recommend
Bakesale Betty
5098 Telegraph AveAussie expat Alison Barakat has patrons licking their lips and lining up out the door and down the block for heavenly strawberry shortcake and scrumptious fried-chicken sandwiches. Rolling pins dangle from the ceiling and blissed-out locals sit down at ironing-board sidewalk tables.
Once upon a time two Jewish guys from Rhode Island set up shop near Jack London Sq. Today they make the Bay Area's best East Coast–style bagels while blasting Beastie Boys albums. Chow down on a 'Lox Monsta' (pumpernickel bagel with bacon, lox, avocado and cilantro curry) at sunny sidewalk tables.
Authentic Bagel Company
463 2nd StreetOnce upon a time two Jewish guys from Rhode Island set up shop near Jack London Sq. Today they make the Bay Area's best East Coast–style bagels while blasting Beastie Boys albums. Chow down on a 'Lox Monsta' (pumpernickel bagel with bacon, lox, avocado and cilantro curry) at sunny sidewalk tables.
A top pick at Jack London Sq, this high-ceilinged pizzeria and craft-beer bar spills out on to the bay-view patio. Classic cheese and meat pizzas are baked in a wood oven, but the creative vegetable pies are more memorable, such as cauliflower with pistachio pesto or roasted squash, caramelized onions and goat's cheese.
42 locals recommend
Forge Pizza Oakland
66 Franklin StA top pick at Jack London Sq, this high-ceilinged pizzeria and craft-beer bar spills out on to the bay-view patio. Classic cheese and meat pizzas are baked in a wood oven, but the creative vegetable pies are more memorable, such as cauliflower with pistachio pesto or roasted squash, caramelized onions and goat's cheese.
The name plays off its former identity as a cobbler's shop, but the current patrons pack this brick-walled place for its wood-fired pizzas, original cocktails and creative antipasti made from sustainably sourced fresh ingredients.
194 locals recommend
Sister
3308 Grand AveThe name plays off its former identity as a cobbler's shop, but the current patrons pack this brick-walled place for its wood-fired pizzas, original cocktails and creative antipasti made from sustainably sourced fresh ingredients.
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck AveBette's Oceanview Diner
1807A Fourth StRick & Ann's Restaurant
2922 Domingo AveFerry Building Marketplace
Flour + Water
2401 Harrison Stamazing homemade pasta
Dandelion Chocolate
740 Valencia StChocolate workshop. Great for kids. Boutique chocolate cafe
Super fresh oyster. Dont miss it! Go before 11.30 am to avoid the queue.
58 locals recommend
Hog Island Oyster Co.
Super fresh oyster. Dont miss it! Go before 11.30 am to avoid the queue.
Central Kitchen
3000 20th StRSVP needed.
Vive la tarte
1160 Howard StGreat bakery with nice loft space
Sightglass Coffee
270 7th StScoma's is a classic San Francisco seafood restaurant. We serve Pacific seafood, caught on small boats, and brought to our pier by local fishermen. RSVP
29 locals recommend
Scoma's Restaurant
1965 Al Scoma WayScoma's is a classic San Francisco seafood restaurant. We serve Pacific seafood, caught on small boats, and brought to our pier by local fishermen. RSVP
Parks & Nature
An urban respite, Lake Merritt is a popular place to stroll or go running (a 3.5-mile paved path circles the lake), with bonsai and botanical gardens, a children's amusement park, bird sanctuary and boathouse.
751 locals recommend
Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt BoulevardAn urban respite, Lake Merritt is a popular place to stroll or go running (a 3.5-mile paved path circles the lake), with bonsai and botanical gardens, a children's amusement park, bird sanctuary and boathouse.
Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood RoadMorcom Rose Garden
700 Jean StCrissy Field Center station
San Rafael
Arts & Culture
Near the southern end of Lake Merritt, this museum has rotating exhibitions on artistic and scientific themes, and permanent galleries dedicated to the state’s diverse ecology and history, as well as California art. Admission is steeply discounted on Friday nights (after 5pm), when DJs, food trucks and free art workshops for kids make it a fun hangout.
547 locals recommend
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak St Near the southern end of Lake Merritt, this museum has rotating exhibitions on artistic and scientific themes, and permanent galleries dedicated to the state’s diverse ecology and history, as well as California art. Admission is steeply discounted on Friday nights (after 5pm), when DJs, food trucks and free art workshops for kids make it a fun hangout.
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden DrLegion of Honor station
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd StExploratorium
Green StreetGreat for kids
Everything Else
Berkeley
Entertainment & Activities
If it’s hoops you must have, then it’s the Warriors for you. Originally from Philadelphia, this team moved across the bay from San Francisco in 1971. Today they play at Oracle Arena (next to the Coliseum). The Warriors caused quite a commotion when they won the National Basketball Association (NBA) championship playoffs in 2015. Alas
6 locals recommend
Golden State Warriors Ticketing System
7000 Coliseum WayIf it’s hoops you must have, then it’s the Warriors for you. Originally from Philadelphia, this team moved across the bay from San Francisco in 1971. Today they play at Oracle Arena (next to the Coliseum). The Warriors caused quite a commotion when they won the National Basketball Association (NBA) championship playoffs in 2015. Alas
A phoenix arisen from the urban ashes, this restored 1928 art-deco stunner adds dazzle and neon lights to Telegraph Ave, where it's a cornerstone of the happening Uptown theater and nightlife district. Once a movie house, it's now a popular concert venue for edgy and independent Californian, national and international music acts. Buy tickets early, since many shows sell out.
264 locals recommend
Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph AveA phoenix arisen from the urban ashes, this restored 1928 art-deco stunner adds dazzle and neon lights to Telegraph Ave, where it's a cornerstone of the happening Uptown theater and nightlife district. Once a movie house, it's now a popular concert venue for edgy and independent Californian, national and international music acts. Buy tickets early, since many shows sell out.
Children's Fairyland
699 Bellevue Ave