Vennessa's Guidebook
Food scene
A16 always has amazing dishes and you will love their pizza. If they have the Montenara don’t pass it up. That is my favorite crust. They have a new outside dining space to enjoy and it is always packed. If you aren’t feeling like sitting out then order for pick up or if you are feeling really lazy (we do sometimes), just have it delivered to your door.
162 personas locales recomiendan
A16
2355 Chestnut StA16 always has amazing dishes and you will love their pizza. If they have the Montenara don’t pass it up. That is my favorite crust. They have a new outside dining space to enjoy and it is always packed. If you aren’t feeling like sitting out then order for pick up or if you are feeling really lazy (we do sometimes), just have it delivered to your door.
This is my Mom’s favorite spot. She loves sharing a meal with her friend so she can try everything and then get one of their amazing drinks. They also have a great outside space to sit.
48 personas locales recomiendan
Oliveto
5655 College AveThis is my Mom’s favorite spot. She loves sharing a meal with her friend so she can try everything and then get one of their amazing drinks. They also have a great outside space to sit.
Ben N Nicks just opened back up after their remodel and they have a fun outside space as well. We always bring the kids here as they have something they will enjoy and my husband can always find his favorite beer or at least some new recommendation he loves.
25 personas locales recomiendan
Ben 'N Nick's Bar & Grill
5612 College AveBen N Nicks just opened back up after their remodel and they have a fun outside space as well. We always bring the kids here as they have something they will enjoy and my husband can always find his favorite beer or at least some new recommendation he loves.
Their sushi is always fresh, we love the folks that work there, and they are right around the corner. The closest food you will find. Honestly you can’t go wrong with any of the sushi down College Ave this is just my favorite.
8 personas locales recomiendan
Judoku Sushi
3314 Piedmont AveTheir sushi is always fresh, we love the folks that work there, and they are right around the corner. The closest food you will find. Honestly you can’t go wrong with any of the sushi down College Ave this is just my favorite.
You can often smell their nan and curries cooking if you open the windows. The owner is such a nice man and I love the food. Let them know how spicy or not you want your food and they will take care of you.
High Peaks Kitchen
College AvenueYou can often smell their nan and curries cooking if you open the windows. The owner is such a nice man and I love the food. Let them know how spicy or not you want your food and they will take care of you.
Love, love, love this place. You may need to wait in line but it is worth it. Obviously you must get a chicken sandwich or salad version if your avoiding the bread, but you must try her pies. The owner gives back so much to the community and Oakland wouldn’t be the same without her. A 15 min walk to Temescal vs around the corner but if your hungry for lunch on Friday thru Saturday it is a must.
196 personas locales recomiendan
Bakesale Betty
5098 Telegraph AveLove, love, love this place. You may need to wait in line but it is worth it. Obviously you must get a chicken sandwich or salad version if your avoiding the bread, but you must try her pies. The owner gives back so much to the community and Oakland wouldn’t be the same without her. A 15 min walk to Temescal vs around the corner but if your hungry for lunch on Friday thru Saturday it is a must.
Neighborhoods
I love walking my neighborhood. We are loving all of the spring color in everyone’s garden. We aren’t a cookie cutter spot, so you get to see everyone unique expression. Lots of strollers and new puppies walking the streets. A few blocks down Clifton St you hit Shafter St, which is actually blocked off to normal car traffic so we can enjoy the streets. It is quite liberating to walk in the middle of the road. On Sunday’s after checking out the farmers market at the DMV lot down Clifton towards Claremont, neighbors have been pulling out chairs and enjoying Jazz around 1pm. Just open the front window and enjoy. Half a block up is the start of College Ave, to the right we have a wash and fold you can bring your laundry to or you can do it yourself. The new Barber shop is getting a lot of traffic and I’m most excited by the cool cars it seems to bring. Walk around the corner to the left and the food starts. You can’t go wrong. Just walk down College and you won’t regret it. Endless food and shopping awaits.
97 personas locales recomiendan
Rockridge
I love walking my neighborhood. We are loving all of the spring color in everyone’s garden. We aren’t a cookie cutter spot, so you get to see everyone unique expression. Lots of strollers and new puppies walking the streets. A few blocks down Clifton St you hit Shafter St, which is actually blocked off to normal car traffic so we can enjoy the streets. It is quite liberating to walk in the middle of the road. On Sunday’s after checking out the farmers market at the DMV lot down Clifton towards Claremont, neighbors have been pulling out chairs and enjoying Jazz around 1pm. Just open the front window and enjoy. Half a block up is the start of College Ave, to the right we have a wash and fold you can bring your laundry to or you can do it yourself. The new Barber shop is getting a lot of traffic and I’m most excited by the cool cars it seems to bring. Walk around the corner to the left and the food starts. You can’t go wrong. Just walk down College and you won’t regret it. Endless food and shopping awaits.
Bakesale Betty is a must. She is at the corner of 51st and Telegraph. Maybe 15 min walk from your front door. Her chicken sandwiches are out of this world and her pie crust is the best I have ever had. Whether you get my favorite Strawberry and Rhubarb or go with more of a savory pie, you can’t go wrong. Butter haters beware. Allison the owner gives back to the community in every way she can and is the hardest working person I have ever met. Right now she is open Friday thru Sunday. Check out the latest hours to be safe. A hefty line can form but it moves pretty fast and there is a lot to scope out in line.
Pizzaiolo is another must and they have a great outdoor space. Honestly you can’t go wrong on Telegraph either.
And then more shopping. Walgreens is right there as well which is good to know in a pinch.
89 personas locales recomiendan
Temescal
Bakesale Betty is a must. She is at the corner of 51st and Telegraph. Maybe 15 min walk from your front door. Her chicken sandwiches are out of this world and her pie crust is the best I have ever had. Whether you get my favorite Strawberry and Rhubarb or go with more of a savory pie, you can’t go wrong. Butter haters beware. Allison the owner gives back to the community in every way she can and is the hardest working person I have ever met. Right now she is open Friday thru Sunday. Check out the latest hours to be safe. A hefty line can form but it moves pretty fast and there is a lot to scope out in line.
Pizzaiolo is another must and they have a great outdoor space. Honestly you can’t go wrong on Telegraph either.
And then more shopping. Walgreens is right there as well which is good to know in a pinch.
Ahhh, Piedmont is maybe a 20 min walk up 51st just past the Safeway. Again food, food, food, boba, frozen yogurt, more food and lots of shopping. At the beginning of the pandemic Piedmont Grocery was the only place I shopped. It was the lowest stress grocery shopping experience I could find, they had all of the basics, and they always had cool specialty items.
81 personas locales recomiendan
Piedmont Avenue
Ahhh, Piedmont is maybe a 20 min walk up 51st just past the Safeway. Again food, food, food, boba, frozen yogurt, more food and lots of shopping. At the beginning of the pandemic Piedmont Grocery was the only place I shopped. It was the lowest stress grocery shopping experience I could find, they had all of the basics, and they always had cool specialty items.
Day Spa
Cocoon offers both massage and skin care.
It is literally right around the corner and it is hard to find a place that offers massage lately.
Cocoon Bare
5377 College AveIt is literally right around the corner and it is hard to find a place that offers massage lately.
Coffee Shop and Cafe
Hudson Cafe has been around since Forever. It is right around the corner. Just walk down to Manilla and make a right. You will find it at the end of the block. Grab a quick cup of coffee, maybe an egg sandwich or a scone, and tell Nathan Vennessa says hello. I get lunch there a lot for myself and the kids and he can always tell me the best bread with whatever sandwich I want.
18 personas locales recomiendan
Hudson Bay Cafe
5401 College AveHudson Cafe has been around since Forever. It is right around the corner. Just walk down to Manilla and make a right. You will find it at the end of the block. Grab a quick cup of coffee, maybe an egg sandwich or a scone, and tell Nathan Vennessa says hello. I get lunch there a lot for myself and the kids and he can always tell me the best bread with whatever sandwich I want.
Great coffee. This is where I pick up my beans for home. They have a few pastries you can usually pick up as well.
105 personas locales recomiendan
Highwire Coffee Roasters
2049 San Pablo AveGreat coffee. This is where I pick up my beans for home. They have a few pastries you can usually pick up as well.
Shopping
This store has every spice you can imagine and more. You can take a beautiful stroll around Lake Merritt, grab a bite to eat, visit the gardens just past Fairyland. This would be a longer walk or maybe a quick trip in a car.
34 personas locales recomiendan
Oaktown Spice Shop
546 Grand AveThis store has every spice you can imagine and more. You can take a beautiful stroll around Lake Merritt, grab a bite to eat, visit the gardens just past Fairyland. This would be a longer walk or maybe a quick trip in a car.
Local designer who uses local resources to make her clothes. All Oakland. She always has cool patterns and quality clothing you won’t find anywhere else.
Lesley Evers
5709 College AveLocal designer who uses local resources to make her clothes. All Oakland. She always has cool patterns and quality clothing you won’t find anywhere else.
Another Oakland favorite. Just going into this shop makes me happy. She has great women’s clothing and kids clothes. I have also picked up fun books, my favorite pair of earnings, and even a retro phone.
Bella Vita
5511 College AveAnother Oakland favorite. Just going into this shop makes me happy. She has great women’s clothing and kids clothes. I have also picked up fun books, my favorite pair of earnings, and even a retro phone.
Consejos para la ciudad
Cómo moverse
Bart is an easy way to get around
We aren’t to far from the Rockridge Bart stop on College Ave. If you are heading to or from SFO it is a direct train which makes life easy.
Cómo moverse
Bike rentals
Just around the corner in front of Khanna Pena you can rent a bike to get around.
Viajar con niños
Children’s Hospital ER
Hopefully you don’t need it but if you do Children’s Hospital ER is directly down 51st before you hit MLK.
Viajar con niños
ER travel for pets
Where can we go for 24- Emergency Pet Care?
PETS Referral Center - Berkeley 510.548.6684
OakVet Animal Specialty Hospital - Oakland 510.879.4888
Pacific Veterinary Emergency - Lafayette 925.297.5751