Why we love Oakland
• Its buzzy scenes, from art to food to fashion
• Its amazing mix of urban culture and easy-access nature
• Its warm summer sunshine (beat that, San Francisco)
Here’s a crazy idea: Skip San Francisco with its packed waterfront and overbooked restaurants, and turn over your entire weekend to Oakland. That’s right, skip Fisherman’s Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge—and their summer crowds. Because, trust us, when it comes to urban getaways, Oakland offers perfect “summer in the city” vibes, and even better, it’s entirely doable in a weekend.
Local chef and NYC-transplant Nelson German agrees that its smaller scale is part of the charm. “It’s such a small place compared to Chicago or New York, but its history and pride makes it feel grander. It’s got a big heart.” And at the center of that heart, according to German, is a “strong sense of community” that welcomes visitors and outsiders and folds them into the mix. “In New York City, there’s every type of culture, but it’s segregated by neighborhood.” Oakland, he says, “is a true melting pot, with different foods sharing the same neighborhoods.” And while in many cities, European cuisine is seen as the only true way to be taken seriously as a chef, Oakland tells a different story. His restaurants, alaMar and Sobre Mesa, give him the chance to blend his classical training with his cultural culinary roots.
Nelson German
“Chefs like me, chefs of color, we can be more of ourselves. As a chef, I can be proud of the foods and ingredients I grew up with, and it’s a place that helped me embrace my pan-African side in my cooking. I don’t feel like I could have done this anywhere else. Oakland embraces different food cultures—people here yearn for that.”
And summer is the ultimate time to visit. During these warmer months, says German, festivals celebrate Oakland’s history and “our love of being around each other.” In June, there’s Fam Bam and Lakefest, and July brings the Art & Soul Festival. (This year’s performers include The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol and Parliament/Funkadelic drummer Dennis Chambers.) Summer is the time to head to First Fridays with its mix of music, performances, art, and food; as well as Friday night food trucks and museum activities at OMCA.
And—surprise!—hiking is another of German’s favorite Oakland activities. “People think this is a concrete jungle, but there are so many parks, hills, and lakes; they’re great places to absorb the sun and get dope views.” Lake Merritt downtown is a perfect place to walk, and hikers shouldn’t miss Redwood Regional and the other East Bay regional parks that dot the ridge on the city’s east edge.
Whatever you decide to do on your Oakland weekend, German’s advice is to venture out. “[The city] has so many little cool hubs to experience. Make the rounds instead of staying in one place. Make time to see and feel the beautiful places.”
Ready to get to know Oakland? Here are our top picks for making the most of a summer weekend.
—Christine Sarkis, SoCal’s Senior WeekEnder Guide
Map of the area
1. OMCA
2. Jack London Square
3. The Fox Theater
4. The Oakland Coliseum
5. Oaklandish
6. Dona
7. alaMar
8. Burma Superstar
9. Commis
10. Wahpepah’s Kitchen
11. Waterfront Hotel
12. The Claremont
13. Moxy
14. Homewood Suites
15. Executive Inn & Suites
Things to do
Mix it up with food, music, culture, and baseball.
 The Oakland Museum of California
For a 360 look at California (plus Friday food trucks), OMCA: We know, you hear the word “museum” and you think of a serious (and stuffy) afternoon shuffling through rooms filled with some old relics. But the OMCA is less about the stuff and more about the California stories you learn through art, history, and natural sciences. This summer, catch an exhibition on Heath Ceramics, Dorthea Lange, or, starting on July 29, check out the show Hella Feminist. And don’t miss Friday nights at OMCA, when food trucks circle around the museum and the gardens are open for picnics and games.
For waterfront fun and a summer vibe, Jack London Square: Restaurants, wide waterfront paths, and a town-square spirit make Jack London Square a key neighborhood hangout. And in the summer, this hub becomes even more of an epicenter with a music series, outdoor movies, plus a weekly farmers market and makers market. Our suggestion for your first Jack London outing? Play bocce at beer garden Plank, catch a jazz set and sushi at Yoshi’s, or take a wine-tasting flight at Rosenblum Cellars. And if you walk by a little wood cabin that seems out of place among the modern buildings, pause to look around—it’s a rebuilt cabin that Jack London used in 1897 during the gold rush.
 Jack London Square (L), The Oakland Coliseum (R)
For headliners in a swanky former movie palace, The Fox Theater: Back in the day, the Fox Theater was a wildly popular 1920s movie palace that brought people from far and wide to check out its Mighty Wurlitzer stage show, talkies, and its super over-the-top decorations. After being dark several decades, it was lovingly restored to its former glory and reopened in 2009 for live shows. And like those early days, people still come for the shows and the scene. (Where else in Oakland can you hang with golden deities?) Acts coming through this summer include LCD Soundsystem, Father John Misty, Tash Sultana, and stand-up comic Hannah Gadsby.
For a home game with a side of local eats, The Oakland Coliseum: Take yourself out to a ballgame with a trip to the Oakland Coliseum. Grab a beer, some loaded nachos, and after you’re ready for a second inning on food, a churro sundae—all of which can be delivered to your seat. And of course food is only part of the fun. The other part is rooting for the A’s to do what they do best—that and getting up to do “the wave” every chance you get. Summer face-offs include games against the Giants, Angels, Marlins, Yankees, Astros, and Tigers. On some nights you’ll score giveaway swag or catch a post-game fireworks show.
For local gear with heart, Oaklandish: Oaklandish started out as a public art project celebrating the city. But over the years, it’s morphed into a beloved organization that shines a light on local artists and tells Oakland stories. Coming here isn’t just a shopping break—you’ll be soaking up the local love and pride. Browse its revolving collection of great tees, sweatshirts, and accessories for your own wearable bit of Oakland. Tip: Its blog is also a great way to find out what’s cool right now in the city, and its Oakland airport outpost doubles as a coffee collective serving up great brews from local roasters.
Where to eat and drink
These Oakland faves are a sampling of community flavors.
Commis
For alfresco cocktails and tacos you want to eat all day, Dona: With outdoor and indoor seating plus tacos and cocktails for miles, Dona is the perfect spot to spend a glorious July afternoon. On the upstairs deck, big tables welcome groups sharing big pitchers of mezcal palomas and fancy-casual Mexican food. Pick from smoky-chile-braised barbacoa, crispy pescado frito, oregano-rubbed carnitas, or ancho-chile-oil drizzled kale and butternut squash as the star of your taco, burrito, or bowl. And the ensalada de Dona goes with everything, with its avocado, little gem lettuce, and watermelon radish that feels healthy and indulgent at the same time.
For Cajun-meets-Mediterranean flavors, alaMar Kitchen: Top Chef alum Nelson German joins together influences from around the world while celebrating his Afro-Latinx roots at this fun, warm, welcoming spot on Grand Avenue. Get the whole gang together for a seafood family feast—go for the shrimp or crab boil, dig into braised oxtail nachos, or try alaMar’s signature “quesa style” shrimp tacos. Sit outside, soak up the sun, and people-watch. Or you can grab a table indoors to catch a local game on one of the big-screen TVs to bond with fans.
Dona (L), Wahpepah’s Kitchen (R)
For the tea leaf salad of your dreams, Burma Superstar: Tea leaf salad isn’t the only reason to go to Burma Superstar, but for anyone addicted to the all-the-textures glory of this Burmese specialty, this Oakland outpost of the original SF institution is a must. Mixed tableside, the fermented tea leaf dish is a magnificent mix of cool, crunchy, and delicious. And since everything here is family style, you can dive deeper into the India- and China-influenced specialties like catfish chowder Mohinga or “thousand-layer bread” platha, which comes with coconut chicken.
For creative and playful Michelin dining, Commis: With two Michelin stars, Oakland’s Commis can go toe-to-toe with any fine-dining venue across the bay. The dining room, a paired-down gray-and-white space, puts your attention squarely on chef James Syhabout’s creations. Sink into a savory slow-poached egg yolk in an onion-infused cream, or bask in the subtle flavor of white sturgeon caviar with creamed potato. Just be aware, you’ll need to plan ahead if dinner at Commis is on your Oakland wish list—the restaurant books out 30 days in advance. Can’t get in? Stop by Commis’ next-door bar, CDP, where cocktail bar bites bring Commis’ culinary constellations down to earth.
For a truly local experience, Wahpepah’s Kitchen: Native cuisine is getting overdue attention in the Bay Area, and Oakland is at the very center of the spotlight. If you have yet to try it, get a delicious education at Wahpepah’s Kitchen run by chef Crystal Wahpepah. Sample traditional flavors like wild native mushroom pumpkin seed mole, indigenous berry salad with salmon, a sweet acorn crepe, or other dishes showcasing everything from bison to fiddlehead ferns.
Places to Stay
Find views and restful sleeps at these spots around Oakland.
Moxy
For Jack London Square sleeps, Waterfront Hotel: Nautical, but make it fashion—that’s the design vibe at Waterfront Hotel. Its central location is perfect for easy access to downtown, Old Town, and Jack London Square. Rooms are light and airy, with oar-printed wallpaper and headboards dotted with a compass, and many come with balcony views of the water. In the morning, there’s locally roasted coffee ready for you at the café, and in the afternoons the heated pool calls. You’re also super close to the ferry, if you want to sail to San Francisco or go farther to Angel Island or Marin.
For a stay at the Grande Dame on the hill, The Claremont: Claremont Club & Spa dazzles with a one-two punch of stunning interiors and views that won’t quit. Its location—perched on the hill at the boundary where Oakland meets neighboring Berkeley—means you can look down over Oakland and across the Bay to San Francisco. All around, the sprawling property unfolds with pools, tennis courts, and gardens of over 22 acres. Originally built in 1915, it now shines with the extra sprucing up that comes with joining the Fairmont hotel group.
Waterfront Hotel (L), The Claremont (R)
For design-forward vibes and modern surrounds, Moxy: Cheers for check-in! At Moxy Oakland Downtown, you’ll be greeted with a free drink at the bar when you check in. And from there, the fun continues into sleek spaces that nod to Oakland’s art deco theaters. Think design touches like splashy tilework and sculptural seating. The rooms aren’t huge, but they’re packed with great touches like luxe linens and 42-inch flatscreens with built-in screencasting. The Arts and Entertainment District location puts you close to restaurants, dispensaries, and music venues (including The Fox Theater).
For plenty of room and homey amenities, Homewood Suites: Like a dad on vacation, Homewood Suites may not be the coolest, but it’s going to do a great job of holding down the fort with every detail considered, starting with free Wi-Fi and a daily hot breakfast. There’s space to spread out in each room, and a little mini-kitchen area with a fridge, microwave, and sink if you want to fix up a quick bite. Many suites overlook the marina, so you’ll get that seaside vibe while still being pretty close to downtown. Other perks include EV chargers and an outdoor pool, which is perfect for hot summer afternoons. Bonus: This spot is pet-friendly, so you can bring along your dog. (Dad would approve.)
For a warm welcome and water views, Executive Inn & Suites: Don’t dismiss this unassuming gem of a hotel; the Executive Inn & Suites wins people over with its good prices, big rooms, and water views. (Pro tip: Ask for a room that faces the Brooklyn Basin waterfront; otherwise, you’ll be looking at the freeway). Its unfussy charm is a just-right fit for people who appreciate amenities like a heated pool and free breakfast but still want a comfortable, budget-friendly option. This is that, and it does it well.
Getting there
Go the fast and efficient route up I-5—you’ll get to Oakland in about five-and-a-half hours. Or take 101 and/or Highway 1 for a more coastal-inspired but longer drive.
Listen to
East Bay Yesterday calls itself a podcast about history that’s not stuck in the past. And yes, it’s totally that, but it’s also a super-engaging peek into Oakland now. Case in point, the episode about the rise and fall of Oakland as a sports mecca or the one about West Oakland’s positive-feeling movement. Fun fact: The podcast’s host, Liam O’Donoghue, also runs historical boat tours of the Bay. |
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