East Bay - is there a there there?
 

I am travelling to San Francisco for another long weekend and friends have urged me to explore other parts of the Bay Area. The usual places are mentioned - Sausalito, Napa, Point Reyes, Palo Alto/Stanford - but nothing on the eastern side of the Bay. Everytime I ask about Berkeley or Oakland, the reaction is immediate - Oakland?! You'll get shot there!<BR><BR>I have read the previous postings dating back a few years and most of the Oakland posts deal with the convenience of the airport. And discussions about Berkeley are usually limited to the "gourmet ghetto." I am curious: has Oakland changed in the last few years? Is there something to do there? Same with Berkeley.<BR><BR>Looking for something new and interesting.

Well, I have heard that Downtown Oakland has been cleaned up quite a bit. The best place in Oakland to hang out is Jack London Square. There are several good restaurants, clubs, as well as shops.

Andy, If you have a long weekend in SF you don't have time to bother with the East Bay. There are parts (Berkeley) that are really interesting but it takes a LOT of time to find what's charming and it has to grow on you (or you had to be there in the 70's when it was really interesting).<BR><BR>One possible exception is to drive up into the Oakland/Berkely hills toward Lake Anza. The views of the Bay Area there are spectacular.<BR><BR>But that said, you have so many places you can get spectacular views. Take a Ferry to Sausalito or Tiburon. Have lunch outside while you look back at the City. Hike on the Marin Headlands.

I wouldnt describe Oakland as a tourist destination. It is only 6 miles from Downtown San Francisco, ridiculously close-we couldnt possibly compete with the city in tourism. We do offer the most convenient airport in the entire Bay area-even if San Francisco is your destination-OAK is a better choice than SFO.<BR><BR>Downtown Oakland is however CLEANER than San Francisco, which is odd but true. Many older buildings have been remodeled. 70,000 people work in downtown everyday and its becoming gentrified with the proliferation of lofts and new condo developments. Jack London Square is a waterfront plaza with good restaurants and nightclubs( mainly jazz and R&B)<BR><BR>Oakland has the 4th largest Chinatown in the nation-plus its not a tourist trap like SFs. There are lots of good restaurants and authentic markets and shops.<BR><BR>We have great hilltop parks that offer first class recreation and outdoor-type activities. <BR><BR>The Chabot Space & Science Center is a recently opened complex nestled in the redwoods above the city with phenomenal views. Few people know that this center is an actual affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute and frequently has exhibits from DC.The Oakland Museim of California is also great place for state history and art.<BR><BR>The weather is nicer than San Francisco, because we have the same breeze without so much fog.<BR><BR>Montclair, Claremont, Rockridge, Broadway Terrace, Crocker Highlands, Lakeshore, Glenview, Oakmore, Redwood Heights, Maxwell Park, Lincoln Heights, Temescal, Grizzly Peak, Skyline Hills, Sequoyah Hills, and Ridgemont are excellent residential districts that have their own identity and appeal.<BR><BR>We have excellent restaurants and our proximity to everything in the bay area give us an enviable location.<BR><BR>Its more of a place to live than to work. We have serious problems now, but as a native, I can tell you that we are nowhere near the abyss in which we found ourselves 20 years ago-thats just stereotypes! Our city has improved tremendously but we still have a ways to go. <BR><BR><BR>

My boss, a big strapping six foot man, once said that he never felt afraid anywhere in the world.....except in Oakland. Too many unemployed, loitering gang members giving "outsiders" the hard stare. If you feel comfortable in Compton or Watts, by all means, go to Oakland.

Is it true that the current murder rate in Oakland is at a 20yr high?

No, Oakland had its highest muder rate in 1993-even now, its not higher than it was then! Next-<BR><BR>And Oakland doesnt have gangs like LA-so comparing OAKland to compton is ignorant. Our crime is mainly about drugs and theft-not gangs( too many movies)

Yeah that's it! My boss must have wandered onto a movie set in Oakland and just didn't realize it. Thanks so much for clearing that up.

I also forgot to mention the Claremont Resort-The only urban resort-spa in the nation, offers relaxing massages and worldclass amenities. Spectacular cuisine and breathtaking views.<BR><BR>Some people refuse to believe that theres good to be found everywhere, actually I kind of liked it when Oakland's reputation was worse than it is now, and honestly, the worst thing about our city is the reputation.<BR><BR>

So your boss' one experience epitomizes the entire city? Thats REALLY informed-wink<BR><BR>I wonder if youre even going to answer the question?

Oaklander, Thanks for you insights about Oakland. I have not had mcuh of chance to go there, but at least now I know of some places in there that are worthwhile. That's interesting about the Chabot Space and Science Center being affiliated woith the Smithsonian. How about the Dunsmuir Estate? I have heard good things about that place. Do you think it is worth a visit?

Livermore is in the East Bay and is well know for it's wineries and has many antique shops downtown.<BR><BR>http://www.livermorewine.com/<BR><BR>Utahtea<BR><BR><BR>

Andy: I worked in downtown Oakland for several years, and still buy much of my produce in Oakland chinatown and think that area, Old Oakland, and the new 12th street area are lively, but as far as nightlife only Jack London square is really good for visitors. Yoshi's Jazz club is fantastic and has some of the best acts in the country play there on a regular basis. <BR><BR>I also love Berkeley and think there is plenty to do, but I agree that these places are not "must see" destinations for a visitor. <BR><BR>Crime is a problem, just like any big city, but all these highly publicized murders are not happening in downtown Oakland, and tourists are not being gunned down.<BR><BR>Gang members are killing each other in an area of Oakland (near San Leandro) that comprises about a 100 square block area that I have never visited in my 14 years living in the East Bay and there is no reason to ever drive in that direction. Unless you are really curious about trekking into what amounts to a run down suburb, you should be safe visiting- but I would rather go to Point Reyes.

I love Oakland. Its been 7 years since I moved here from White Plains, NY and I have no regets whatsoever. The weather is to-die-for and my neighborhood, Rockridge, is wonderful. The 2000 Census reports that Oakland is the 2nd most racially diverse city in the nation. Only Long Beach in LA county is more diverse than Oakland, and thats by only hundreths of a percentage point!<BR><BR>More diverse than LA and NY, SF ranked 13th.

Oakland does have some nice areas, like Rockridge that you can take bart to. I did move from there 3 years ago and would rather visit the Monterey Penninsula or wine country, or Point Reyes. An interesting area of Berkeley is Shattuck at Vine Street. Some nice shops, outstanding bookstore, nice residnetial neiborhood to wander about. But would still rather go to the places previously mentioned, or just explore San Fran.

I've heard the Dunsmuir house is an interesting place - as far as historical houses go.<BR><BR>I've tried to give Oakland a bit of a chance - but there really isn't much to do there that can't be done other places (admit I've never been to Oakland's Chinatown).<BR><BR>I did go to a concert once at the Henry J. Kaiser Auditorium - and my car got stolen. <BR>=-( (OK, that was hte '90s, but it still makes me not want to go back at night).<BR><BR>Jack London Square blows! There's nothing to see there and the food is only good if you enjoy TGIFriday's.

Bill, at Jack London Square you could go to Scott's or Kincaid's for seafood, Yoshi's for sushi and other Japanese food, or even the inexpensive but good Korean restaurant. But, hey, if you prefer TGIFriday's.<BR><BR>

I have lived in north Oakland and have worked in downtown Oakland for about ten years -- Safety has been no more of an issue here than anywhere else I've lived, including San Francisco and New York. That said, while there are many great restaurants, bookstores, and cultural events here in the East Bay, I have to agree with the previous poster who said Oakland really isn't a "must see" for someone in the SF area for a long weekend. Personally, other than Yoshi's (which is a great place to hear jazz and eat sushi), I really don't think there's much about Jack London Square that merits a special trip (unless you're looking for an urban kayaking experience -- if so, I highly recommend renting a kayak from California Canoe and Kayak, and paddling around the Oakland estuary -- this is an easy way to get out on the water).

Live in Marin now, but spent several years in Berkeley during and after college. Still go there often to buy books and music, see the Oakland A's, have a great weekend breakfast, and go to Oakland Chinatown. <BR><BR>I agree with a previous poster who said that East Bay violence is confined to a few well-known areas. Fourth Street in Berkeley isn't exactly a hotbed of gang activity, nor is Tilden Park. xxx: not sure where your boss was in Oakland, because a lot of Oakland is like anytown USA. Just use your head!<BR><BR>Jack London Square is pretty lame --wouldn't really recommend a visit there.<BR><BR>FYI, we were at an A's game last week, and realized around the 8th inning that we had left our car (5-week old Mercedes!) unlocked with the keys in the ignition during the entire game. We tore out after the final out to find it safe and sound. Your mileage may vary, but still somewhat amusing.<BR><BR>Jill

David, Dunsmuir House and grounds are lovely, date from about 1900, i think. I used to attend the &quot;Gatsby picnic&quot; there Labor Day. I think they probably still do a Victorian Xmas, too, which Sounds wonderful, tho' I never went. It's easy to get to off either 104th 0r 92nd. Also, I like College and Piedmont Ave's for shopping, relaxing, dining, very charming places.

PS: Gertrude Stein.

Danielle, you left beautiful White Plains, NY for Oakland?!? Boy, you must be DESPERATE for diversity, alright!!

re: &quot;there's no there there&quot;. Gertrude Stein did say it, but it wasn't a derogatory statement about Oakland; she was referring to the fact that her childhood home had been razed.<BR>(my husband is English.Prof.).<BR>But dependng on what you find &quot;different&quot; I still think the East Bay does not have it. Different is the North Bay: Sausalito, Point Reyes, Sonoma, Napa. Or if you like to hike, I suppose Mt. Diablo in the East Bay is a good place, as is Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County. Point Reyes not only has hiking trails, but an easy Earthquake trail with informative signs, and a reconstructed Miwok village near the museum/visitor's center. The seashore itself is wild; Inverness and Point Reyes station are civilized with good restaurants. But you'll need a car. The March 2002 Goumet magazine has good info on the town of Sonoma and nearby Valley of the Moon. I never get tired of the Napa Valley (now that the tourist traffic has abated), for the architecture of the wineries (OK, the wines too), the hotsprings of Calistoga, the geyser of Calistoga, and the Great restaurants.

There is a there here but not one for a long weekend. I recommend Point Reyes if you really want to venture out of the city. You can wander all over the seashore. Get a map from the visitors' center and pick your destination in the park. Stop in downtown Point Reyes Station for lunch or dinner at The Station House Cafe.

Ted-I get up in the morning and mountainbike 1500 up( higher than the empire state building)skyline and ultimately to Grizzley Peak Blvd. In mid-july, the temps top out ONLY IN THE LOW 70s, theres a breeze and the views are to die for. I cruise down the hill and an array of excellent restaurants await me. Im a stones throw from San Francisco but enjoy a state of mind in the East bay that even the city lacks. Excellent restaurants are a stroll away and the diversity is unparalled-White Plains is nice, but Oakland is better-sorry to dissappoint all the oaklandhaters but its true.<BR><BR>BTW, My neighborhood has a lower crime rate than Palo Alto and we havent had a murder since 1979