Oakland: To Know it is to Love it (San Francisco, Berkeley: credit, house)

[Stephen1110]

50 Things to Do in Oakland Before You Die

December 6, 2012

San Franciscans have been known to stick up their nose at Oakland - often considered SF's grimy, suburban little sister. But anyone who's spent time in The Town knows it's got a vibrant arts culture, incredible foodie scene, and strong sense of community and history all to itself.

Oakland newbies don't be intimidated - pick a few of these Things to Do Before you Die for a guaranteed incredible day, evening, or night in the other city by the bay.

9. Hike among towering redwood trees in Redwood Regional Park
13. Eat a fried chicken sandwich and strawberry shortcake on old ironing boards from Bakesale Betty's
16. Take a perfectly cheesy gondola ride on Lake Merritt or rent your own watercraft
26. Hit up either the Oakland Art Murmur's First Fridays (or more mellow Saturday Strolls) monthly for a dose of top-notch art, mingling, and drinking
30. See a live show or movie at Oakland's art deco masterpiece the Paramount Theatre
38. Stand in line on the red carpet at 1 a.m. waiting to eat Chicken 'n' Waffles at Home of C & W

50 Things to Do in Oakland Before You Die | 7x7

[Stephen1110]

Oakland - Five must-see film sites

February 23, 2012

"Moneyball"-- Oakland, California

Have a budding baseball fan in the family? How about a trip to Oakland to see Stomper the elephant, the official A's mascot, at a real, live A's game?Purchase a Kids Club membership and receive an A's drawstring bag, water bottle, lanyard and coupon booklet, featuring discounts at places like the Oakland Zoo. Take advantage of that coupon to see the more than 660 native and exotic animals.

Other kid-friendly Oakland options include the Chabot Space & Science Center, with a planetarium and interactive exhibits about space and earth sciences, the Museum of Children's Art, which offers hands-on workshops and "Drop-In Art" sessions for children to explore using paint, papier-mâché, clay, fabrics, feathers and other materials, and Children's Fairyland, a 10-acre park on the shores of Lake Merritt where children's literature comes to life through storybook sets, rides, animals and puppet shows.

Continue the family fun at the historic Claremont Hotel, which, in addition to luxuries parents will enjoy, offers on-site craft activities, toys and games. Plan to top off "game day" night with a sundae at Fentons Creamery, the century-old ice cream parlor and restaurant featured in the movie "UP!," and be sure to wear Oakland A's colors for a discount.

Oscar watch: Five must-see film sites - CNN.com

[Stephen1110]

Oakland - America's Best Cities on the Rise

August 31, 2012

Which hip California community has been said to have more resident artists per capita than any other U.S. city (after Brooklyn)? It's not San Francisco—it's nearby Oakland, a blossoming city by the Bay. Oakland is an ideal destination for travelers interested in cuisine, culture, and the arts. Several local art deco theaters, including the Paramount Theatre and the Fox, as well as the Oakland Museum of California, have recently undergone renovations. And, according to a representative from the California tourism board, "More and more chefs from San Francisco and Berkeley are opening up their own restaurants in Oakland, making [it] one of the best culinary destinations in the country.

Oakland, California : America's Best Cities on the Rise - SmarterTravel.com

[Stephen1110]

Oakland - America's Best Hipster Cities

September 20, 2012
Forbes

#9. The Uptown, Oakland, CA

Gritty up-and-comer Uptown made this list thanks to its fast-paced growth. New restaurants, bars and coffee shops have been opening weekly, and arguably the some of the best farmers markets in the country take place here. The district was deemed the city's entertainment center in the early 2000s and since then art galleries, an improv theater, and several medical marijuana clubs have sprung up to cater to the growing community.

9. The Uptown, Oakland, CA - America's Best Hipster Neighborhoods - Forbes

[Stephen1110]

Oakland - Gayest Cities in America

January 9, 2013
Advocate

11. Oakland, Calif. (pop. 395,817) Cali’s seventh largest city is across the bay from “The City,” and while it’s seriously hard to compete with San Francisco’s LGBT cred, Oakland is no less vibrant yet more diverse and affordable. In fact, it boasts more lesbian couples per capita than any other major American city and ranks third in gay- and lesbian-headed households, after San Francisco and Seattle. This city has students, families, funky gays, an annual Black Pride and Black LGBT Film Festival (BlackLGBTFilmFest.com), and the East Bay Front Runners (EastBayFrontRunners.org), so you can see the scenic bay while burning off the calories consumed at the super-popular White Horse Bar (WhiteHorseBar.com) the night before.

Gayest Cities in America, 2013 | Advocate.com

[Gentoo]

Great thread Stephen!!!

[Stephen1110]

Leave your heart wherever, but eat in Oakland

February 26, 2012
The Boston Globe

When Michelin-starred chef Daniel Patterson was ready to expand beyond his two successful restaurants, Coi and Il Cane Rosso, in San Francisco, he decided to cross the Bay Bridge to Oakland. Patterson found the pull of this other city by the bay irresistible and moved here with his family in 2009. He opened Plum in the heart of uptown in 2010 and plans to open a second Oakland restaurant on Jack London Square later this year.

“I’m enthusiastic about Oakland for so many reasons,’’ said Patterson, a Boston native. “Oaklanders are very real. They care about the food, the experience, and that’s it. And the diversity is amazing.’’ He remembered looking out over Plum’s 28-seat dining room on opening night and seeing a rainbow of customers of all ages and persuasions. “Everybody was just hanging out together having a great time. That just doesn’t happen all in one place in San Francisco.’’

Eating by neighborhood

It takes 10 minutes to get just about anywhere in Oakland. The city is compact and easy to navigate. Start with these tasty spots, and come hungry.

Temescal
Uptown
Rockridge
Grand Lake
Jack London Square
Piedmont Avenue

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle...y.html?camp=pm

[Senno]

Originally Posted by Gentoo

Great thread Stephen!!!

Next time up to Santa Cruz might just become Oakland now.

Take in an A's game and see the sights.

[Stephen1110]

Oakland - America's Coolest Cities

July 26, 2012
Forbes

..the number of entertainment options per capita with an Arts & Culture Index (100 is the best score); recreational opportunities, including the amount of green space, quality of outdoor activities available, and the number of pro and college sports teams (again, (100 is the best score); and number of restaurants and bars per capita, with a focus on local eateries....We also looked at each city’s cultural composition..(100 is the best). We included median age, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, favoring places with a large young adult population. Lastly, we looked at net migration for 2011 and unemployment rates...

#16. Oakland, CA
Metro Division: Oakland-Freemont-Hayward, CA
Arts & Culture Index: 92
Recreation Index: 96
Diversity Index: 78.6
Number of Local Eats: 5,138
Median Age: 37
Unemployment: 9%
2011 Net Migration: 12,000 people

16. Oakland, CA - America's Coolest Cities - Forbes

[Stephen1110]

A Monthly Night of Art Outgrows its Name

October 11, 2012
New York Times

One wonders if Gertrude Stein would write “there is no there there” about Oakland if she could see the thousands of people who convene every month for this city’s rambunctious art crawl and street bacchanal.

Actually, there is an abundance of there here: what started six years ago as a small, once-a-month gallery walk has mushroomed into an event that city officials now say attracts as many as 20,000 people downtown for an evening known as Oakland Art Murmur.

This is definitely more like a shout,” John Herbstritt, 26, a wine buyer who recently moved to Oakland, said as he looked at block after city block of overflowing galleries, street musicians, food trucks and curated art exhibits last Friday.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/11/us...ame.html?_r=2&