I have a party to attend in late September, in the Oakland hills.
I'm looking into staying at the CLAREMONT HOTEL.

Questions:

**Is this a good hotel?
Are there any good sea views from rooms or should I forget asking for one? Do not want to pay for sea view if they are distant, and not worth the extra charge.

**Most important: We will spend time with friends who live in the area, but on our nights alone, do we need a car to get to restaurants? How is taxi or Uber in this area?

**Last: Is CHEZ PANISSE CAFE a place I should book?

Is the Berkely Bowl (supermarket) within walking distance of the hotel??

Would love recommendations for anyplace near the hotel....great pizza, great Italian,great Chinese.. anything, really, except Mexican and Ethiopian, which partner would not like.

One thing we are interested in, in SF, is a visit to Alcatraz. For anyone who has taken this tour...do you recommend?? Our friends will go with us and they have a car.


Instead of that hotel, we could rent a place. But which is the “best”area to walk to good places to eat and good food shopping???

Piedmont Avenue??


Thanks for any and all help!!! ek

Hi,

Oakland resident here. There isn't really a better hotel than the Claremont, although I can say I've never actually stayed there. Note, the hotel is basically bisected by the city line between Oakland and Berkeley. The view of the bay is pretty far. Unless you get a guaranteed view of the Golden Gate, I'd skip paying extra.

Uber/Lyft are ubiquitous and pretty easy to get. A car would be helpful but not necessary if you prefer not to drive. Main issue is finding parking, but if patient it can typically be found in most places and allows you to explore. So that's a personal choice there. Uber are not the cheapest compared to some other places I've been, but reasonable. BART would be from Rockridge to SF. Note, BART in SF is not near the wharf for Alcatraz, you'd need Uber or streetcar to get there.

Berkeley Bowl (the original, East) is straight down Ashby to Shattuck and then two blocks north. It would be a long walk (maybe 1.5 miles, guessing). That is where I shop. There is a bigger version called Berkeley Bowl west that is farther from the Claremont. I think you'd probably be better taking Uber (or driving since there is parking. If you drive go to the west branch on 9th, bigger lot). But if you have never been, do go. The stores are really unique. I can't move because I'd hate grocery shopping anywhere else. Some of our farmer's markets are good too, the Grand Lake Saturday Market being probably the best aside from the SF Ferry Plaza, and lacking the tourists.

Lived in the bay area for most of my life and never been to Alcatraz...

Restuarants. Chez Panisse Cafe used to be quite good, but in my opinion has declined. So if you have always wanted to dine there, try it, but I don't guarantee you'll love it. It may be good to try for lunch as a compromise.

Restaurants off the top of my head to recommend: Pomet (farm to table), Commis (Michelin 2 star), Mägo, Wood Tavern. These are fairly upscale and excellent. Juanita and Maude is very good too, but in Albany (which takes as long to get to as the City). Belotti is a favorite, more casual. The best pizza places in Oakland have closed; Rose and Laura in Berkely aren't bad. Asian food we like: Shan Dong in Chinatown, Dumpling Hours, Daughter Thai or Farm Thai (same owners), several locations, Great Wall in Berkeley. There are other good Japanese, Thai and Laotian places. Too many to name. Eater, the SF Chronicle are good sources of info, but they tend to skew young.

Have a great time, September is usually our best weather, but we've had three weeks of cold weather lately. Be prepared for both warm or hot and cool.

Fabulous response.
Maybe an apartment rental would be better.
But where??
Ask me about Catania or Madrid and I can help. Csñifornia. I know next to nothing!!!

Piedmont Avenue??

Rockridge?

Most interested in lively area with good restaurants and food shopping within walking distance.

Please pardon my ignorance!!!

Yes, Rockridge is the place to stay. Or near Piedmont Avenue. Temescal is another neigborhood, but you have to be more careful about where in Temescal (not close to Mosswood Park, for example). College Avenue has the best walking area. There are many more things downtown than there were twenty years ago (I had an office there for 40 years and only in the final five or so years ending with the start of the pandemnic was there much life in the area). If you want to stay more in the center, I would say "uptown" which is north of Grand Avenue between Broadway and Harrison has lots of new aprartment buildings and you may find a rental there perhaps.

But if you can find a place in Rockridge or near Piedmont Avenue or even the Claremont/Elmwood part of south Berkeley, that would be the way to go. You are most likely to find a house rather than an apartment. If you want an apartment, it would be downtown or "uptown" which is where I used to work. Lakeshore and Grand Avenues are smaller walking districts, but I think Rockridge and Piedmont are better suited to visitors.

I have more food places that I forgot. Ramen Shop is quite good. Burdell is getting buzz, and so is Sirene but have not eaten at either. And we have an abundance of new bakeries. Fournee is not new but is near the Claremont Hotel. Starter Bakery on College Ave. is fantastic.

Feel free to message me with any questions.

My old stomping grounds. I live in SF now, but was a Rockridger for years. My sister still lives in Oakland, although up in the hills. My mom stays at the Claremont when she visits. It's a historic hotel, so if I were you I'd book the best room you can, although Bay views are pretty distant. Personally, I like hotels and hotel + pool + tennis would keep me at the Claremont over a rental. Taxis/Lyft, etc., easy in the area, and close to BART too.

Agree with traveler 318 largely about areas and restaurants. We like Belotti for lunch especially.

Ask this question on Hungry Onion -- you will get many food recs.

I cannot thank you both enough! I now have just about all the info I need, and I had already marked a few of the restaurants you've mentioned.

I'll take the next few days and look at the rentals; some were in apartments, but partner thinks we'd be best off in the hotel because of the pools. But can I walk to food and interesting shops from there??

Once I gather some possibilities, I'll come back to ask your advice, again....take care, both of you and thank you once again...ek

There is a small (one block) commercial district just outside the hotel on Domingo Ave in Berkeley (but really you have to walk all the way past the tennis club). It has the aforementioned Fournee bakery, a Peet's coffee shop and a breakfast/lunch restaurant (although I thought I heard they were retiring so it may be on its last legs). You can visit all the shops on the block in 15 minutes. Being near one of the other longer commerical strips would be more interesting. College Avenue is a commercial strip from about a mile south of the Cal campus (the Elmwood district of Berkeley) all the way to Broadway with a few residential sections between Elmwood and Rockridge. Piedmont Avenue similarly is a long commerical strip south from Pleasant Valley to MacArthur. If you are looking for airbnb or VRBO, some of what we call "Baja Piedmont" instead of Oakland could be close enough to walk there, as would Elmwood in Berkeley. I just have never looked for vacation rentals around here to know what there is.

For me it would be an easy and pleasant walk to the Elmwood and/or most of Rockridge from the Claremont. But that's me; I am comfortable walking. Late September should be nice weather so the pools would be a bonus. See what Google Maps says and then add + 20%.

(by the way, eks, I leave this week for southern Italy. Just finally locked down hotels this past weekend and have only started to think about dining. What a mess!)

So maybe the hotel is best. More important, leely, i would derive maximum pleasure if I could help on the dining front. Let me know your itinerary.

Our next big trip (October) is to Puglia, beginning in Bari ( four mights at BRA HOTEL)before moving on for three nights at a place near Ceglie. Next is Palazzo Tafuri (!!!) in Nardo that I never would have known but for your report!

Finally. TORRE MAIZZA for about ten nights.
I’m clueless about any restaurants that have opened since our last visits. I think our last trip was around 2011 before shots of Puglia began papering the pages of so many influencers

CIBUS in on the list
is driving time is not too long, msybe another return to ANTICHI SAPORI.

We will , of course, rent a car upon leaving Bari.

it will be fun to talk to locals and decide on restaurants on the spot. Will look back at your Nardo thread for ideas near that city.

Mille grazie again to both of you!!!

Just wanted to finish up here by saying that I booked the CLAREMONT for six nights in late September.
I went with Virtuoso so will have breakfast included, etc......

Thanks, yet again, to all my Fodor's experts who have helped me so much with this, and so many other vacations!!!

Next trip will be Puglia in October, beginning in Bari. Stops planned after Bari are: masseria near Ceglie; Nardo; Savelletri, and then fly home from either Brindisi or Bari.....

Great! You will be able to get your laps in.

I'm in Naples now. Not too hot but for some reason I am struggling with jetlag.

I think that's a good decision. Interested to hear your thoughts on the food scene after you visit.

I'm doing my reading about here to eat......there are so many places that seem just wonderful...will come back with a list soon.

Reservations for THE WOLF are open already. I imagine that should be on my list (??)

I eat anything but partner will not want anything Mexican or Indian......

The Wolf began life as the Bay Wolf, opened by a group of my friends. Maitre d' was Michael Brown, I was his date for his high school senior prom when I was a sophomore. He wore white socks & sandals with his tuxedo. The restaurant became famous, there was always a seat for me & I never got a bill. Those were the days!

I spoke to my friend who we will be visiting in Oakland.
she is a chef who once owned a restaurant; she gave me names of some places she likes.
I'm going to list these, with my own comments..

We decided that my partner and I would go to The WOLF, just the two of us, after arriving at SFO..on a Monday.

We will try to get a table for a group at CHEZ PANISSE CAFE...she will handle that..that will be her birthday dinner, in addition to the party she is making on Saturday night at her house.

She asked me to look these up and let her know what I think, so I am passing the question on to you knowledgable people..

BUCKEYE ROAD HOUSE (she will drive us; she goes a lot and likes it....(???)

KOKKARI. (Greek...is this dependable for really great Greek food? Not one of my top cuisines but if it's great,,,(??). (She loves MILOS in New York and we did have a good dinner last time she was in NYC). I could skip this unless you all think its wonderful..

BURDELL. (soul food.....does not interest me much..she's never been but heard it's great.....I love BBQ shacks in the south, but this seems......well, not sure.....unless you all recommend, I'd skip this..)

COTOJNA. (looks good!)

BELOTTI (Leely likes!! Sounds good)

CORSO (she (my friend) likes but reviews say it's very noisy....I don't care much if food is great..)

I asked her about COMMIS but she says it's tasting menu only and maybe too "fancy" for our tastes..fine with me to skip...

DELFINA PIZZA...she likes but is this anything special???

HOG ISLAND OYSTERS in Ferry Building......is this market worth a look to buy things to take home????

My friend left the choices to me; I'm just happy to see old friends but of course, if the food is great, all the better.

It seems as if location does not matter and she said they will drive us wherever we all choose for dinners....

****I'd love a great Vietnamese restaurant...(???). Maybe I could take out some snacks one day.....



Mexican and anything spicy is a no-go for my partner.......I think my friend has some dietary issues as well so anything remotely "exotic" seems to be out for this trip...

Will you have a car? I can't remember. Some of these will be hard to reach from the Claremont without. Well, not hard, I took an Uber from the Fremont BART station to Santa Clara once...so you can get anywhere for a price.

With all due respect to your fried, Buckeye Roadhouse is a no. Defina Pizza is good but not worth a special trip to the City, in my opinion. Do you mean Cotogna? Yes, it's very good, in San Francisco; but hard to get a reservation. The food is a bit more refined than Belotti. If you want to dine in the City, it's a good choice and easier to get to from the East Bay than places in the Mission.

Corso is just ok.

I also recommended Belotti. It is not fancy, but quite good. We joke it is popular in our age group (the oldsters, that is). Very small place, reserve early.

I personally think Wood Tavern is better than the Wolf, same owners. But it is loud. I'm sure the Wolf will be fine. If weather is good, patio is nice.

Kokkari is popular, especially with visitors; again in SF. I know the owners and a friend wrote the cookbook. It's fine. But if you are looking to experience the current food scene, it's not that.

Yes, Commis is a production but very good if you want a special meal. Pomet is up the street and not as fancy. In my opinion it's one of the best around right now. Mago is another on Piedmont Avenue with a tasting menu, a bit less over the top than Commis. I have not been there in a while, but it was excellent when I did eat there a few years back.

Have not eaten at Burdell but it is all the rage. Look at the menu to see if it suits you. Not a place my husband would like. The other new place getting buzz is Sirene on Grand Avenue. I'm not a fish eater, so have not been there.

Vietnamese..well some of the most popular are in East Oakland and can't imagine you'd go there. I used to like Pho 84 a lot, I worked nearby, but haven't been there in a couple years. It's downtown on 17th Street. Can't think of anywhere else that is worthwhile. I've eaten better Vietnamese food recently in places like New Zealand.

Recently had the chicken at Daytrip Counter--as the name implies, order at the counter. It was very good, casual, we did it for lunch and brought a bunch home.

A friend of mine that I trust likes Friends and Family, but I haven't been there.

Ramen Shop is another place that is always excellent. Small menu, but feels like Japan even though it is very California. They now take reservations so you don't have to wait in line at 4 p.m. You still do at Soba Ichi...

Mama's on Grand Avenue is a casual place with very small menu--sugo pasta, a vegetarian option and usually one meat, plus first course choices. But it's a bargain and good.

Too bad no Mexican, Bombera is wonderful.

Lots of choices...but if I was choosing, I'd do Belotti, Pomet, Ramen Shop, Wolf or Wood Tavern probably.

Do please report back after your trip! Would be interested to see what visitors think vs what is popular with those of us who live here. And curious how Chez Panisse Cafe is doing. Last time I was there it was not what it once was.

I will write more tomorrow but yes, COTOGNA...that sounds great but I see from a quick look the tables are very hard to find, even many weeks out. Looks wonderful!! I might have to do the obsessive thing...making sure when tales open for my dates and pounce!!
Yes, want to put that on the list. Definite.

My friend does not seem to care much about driving around from Oakland to SF and anywhere in the area; she has a car. I have no idea at all about these areas....I know more about Seville than I do the Bay Area!@.

POMET looks perfect.....thank you for that mention.....will put it on the definite list...

We can skip Chez Panisse Cafe....Pomet looks more to my liking....you are not the first to say that Chez Panisse has maybe passed its prime....maybe it's more for tourists, which of course we are. I joked with my friend that I could guide her to places in Madrid a lot easier than I could even think about anywhere in California.....I think i'e been to your state les than ten times in my life if that.!!

Ramen, etc--do not think this would fly with this crowd...they seem to have various dietary issues and my partner, well....enough said right there...but SHANDONG Chinese??/


It's late for us oldsters here in the EST time zone.... (the BELOTTI crowd! Looks good, too!)


So I will return after I speak with my friend......will skip the BUCKEYE ROADHOUSE...just from looking quickly at the menu I can't imagine why that would be a draw for non-locals..

Will check menus at THE WOLF vs WOOD TAVERN...that might be for just the two of us on the night of arrival.....so taxi from hotel...

Skip KOKKARi....why go all the way to SF to have Greek food..I can find that back home......

Good tip on SIRENE..will put this forward as a possible plan...


Thank you a million times for all of this!!! I hope I can help out if you come to NYC...or to Madrid, for that matter!!!

Will keep updating as I read more and consult with the "group!!"

Hi,

I have two things to add to what I last wrote.

First, the Claremont has a large scaffold on much of the hotel. I noticed some of it on the tower last Friday, but this morning it is over much more of the hotel. It looked to me like they were doing roof work (hard to see driving by), but I suggest you call and get info about what they are doing and how long it will last. The hotel is not its normal attractive self at the moment, not to mention the possibilities of noise and impaired views.

Second, ate at Pomet last night and although it was still quite good, not the knock your socks off it was the last time I was there. YMMV. Was quite crowded but service was still excellent. So a very good meal, but not the best one we've had there. The menu changes with the seasons so late summer vs now will be different.

Yes, Shandong is good but very "Chinatown" in that it has no atmosphere to speak of. It is where we go in Chinatown, but parking is an issue so we usually go to places that are not quite as good. Peony is supposed to be good too, but I have not been there. I like Dumpling Hours on Lakeshore, small menu with dim sum type dishes mostly. In Berkeley, there is Great China, which has a nicer atmosphere and very good food. If you want Chinese that may be the ticket, but be prepared to wait

You should do fine at the Wolf. It is probably a nicer atmosphere that Wood Tavern now that I think about it. I still miss Bay Wolf, that was in the buliding for what, 40+ years. The new-ish owers paid homage to it with the name.

I like the food better at Wood Tavern, but we were at the Wolf on Friday for my mom's birthday dinner (her request), and I enjoyed it more than the last time I had gone. We were seated on the covered terrace rather than indoors, and I think that's just much more pleasant.

I just returned a few days ago from three weeks in Italy, so my order at the Wolf: burger and fries, something I never normally order! Others had polenta, duck confit and some gigantic steak. It's pretty much trad California cuisine, nothing groundbreaking, but we all enjoyed.

I think there's a major renovation happening at the Claremont--definitely call and ask about room/noise/views.

You asked about the Ferry building / market but I didn’t see any replies.

IMO, yes. there are a bunch of nice stores in the market where you can pick up some things to take homes. There are often also vendors set up outside, but that may be only on certain days. The bread shop in the market is great - if you need a loaf or some rolls that is.


since we love oysters we make a stop at Hogg island every time we visit SF. It gets busy so be sure to have a reservation, or go at an off peak time. We’ve had success simply walking in and getting a seat at the bar overlooking the bay.

its also a pleasant area for a stroll along the waterfront., wheelchair friendly if needed with lots of benches to sit on and soak in the sea air and sights. The are is a lot less crowded / touristy than further west by Fisherman’s wharf area.