Oakland means a lot to me. I grew up in the East Bay and fondly remember all the weekend mornings spent in Oakland’s Chinatown. As time progressed, I still found myself deeply connected to the city. From watching my best friend get married in the city to GPS treasure hunting at Lake Merritt, to the endless comedy shows, crazy nights at The Layover, and eating all the amazing food, Oakland is an incredibly special city. Keep reading for my Oakland Day Trip Itinerary.
Oakland Day Trip Itinerary
I wanted to do a series on the city, but I know that I have to do it right for my Oakland folks. So I’m taking this neighborhood by neighborhood and aiming to provide you with a taste of what Oakland has to offer. I am by no means an expert and I welcome all of your thoughts and opinions on what makes this city great.
Eat Your Way Through Temescal
Brunch at Fob Kitchen
Lately, I’ve found myself bopping around the eclectic energy of the Temescal neighborhood and wanted to share a few places that I encourage you to shop/eat/drink at. I’m all about supporting local, and it’s so important to keep that heart beating even in the midst of gentrification.
There are several popular restaurants on Telegraph Avenue which is the main strip of the neighborhood. You can have your pick of a wide variety of food, but I’d have to go where my heart goes. I’d start my day at Temescal with brunch at Fob Kitchen.
Co-owned and operated by Chef Janice Dulce, Fob Kitchen does elevated Filipino food right. By no means is the food considered Asian fusion, rather Chef Janice elevates traditional Filipino dishes but still makes it comforting and familiar. I’ve had their arroz caldo (perfect for cold cloudy days), crispy lumpia, chicken skins, bistek (steak with grilled onions marinated in soy sauce and lemon), and ginaataan sitaw at kalabasa (green beans and squash cooked in coconut milk…also my favorite Filipino dish in the world). They’re also well known for their silog brunches which are typically a protein with eggs and garlic rice. My friend ordered the tocilog which consists of tocino (a sweetened thick bacon) and the fixings mentioned. I’m usually not a fan of tocino, but Fob Kitchen cures their pork shoulder in house and the meat has a nice balance of sweet and salty. The drinks are also delicious, and the space is so beautiful. It makes me miss the Philippines so much.
Indulge at Bakesale Betty’s
You can also check out the incredibly popular Bakesale Betty’s, famous for their fried chicken sandwiches and strawberry shortcakes. I haven’t been there in awhile, but the lines get long quickly. Last I remember, we were one of the first people in line and we ate our sandwiches and shortcakes at 9 AM.
Eat Fish Tacos at Cholita Linda
Cholita Linda is also across the street. I went to their Alameda restaurant with Giulia, and it was fresh and delicious. Their salads and fish tacos are amazing. We also loved the vibes with its bold bright colors and welcoming atmosphere.
Shop at Temescal Alleys
Right around the corner on Telegraph and 49th is Temescal Alleys, two pedestrian alleyways that houses a number of locally owned and independent businesses. Crimson Horticultural Rarities is a must stop for me. The folks who run the store are incredibly helpful and put a lot of love into the store. I always have to pick up a new plant or bring a beautiful dried bouquet.
Ali Golden’s brick and mortar is also here, and I love the set up the store. The colors and patterns make me so happy. You can also roam through all the beautiful shops at the Alleys, from ice cream, to coffee, to vintage and wellness shops, Temescal Alley has something for everyone.
Grab drinks at Roses’ Taproom
My final stop would be at Roses’ Taproom on Telegraph. I haven’t been here just yet, but the design of Roses’ intrigues me with its peachy pink tones further brightened with greenery, and the beautiful teal Fireclay backsplash seen from a mile away. The owners have a background in design and their goal was to create a taproom that was inviting. I can imagine myself spending an afternoon here drinking beer and hanging out with good people.
There’s so much to see and do in Oakland, and this was but a small glimpse of one of many vibrant neighborhoods in the city. I’m hoping that you’ll take some time to do some exploring across the Bay Bridge.
Such a cute post! Highly recommend the Burma Superstar outpost and Pyeongchang Tofu House there if you find yourself back there 🙂
Thank you Deborah! We’ll add it to our list!