My Guidebook
Food scene
This is not only the closest eatery to the townhouse, it's also a delicious neighborhood spot for breakfast and lunch. Great for burgers and fries (they also have a really good veggie sandwich), but my favorite is 10th & Wood's breakfast. Make sure to try the Elvis french toast (only available on weekends)!
56 Einheimische empfehlen
10th & Wood
945 Wood StThis is not only the closest eatery to the townhouse, it's also a delicious neighborhood spot for breakfast and lunch. Great for burgers and fries (they also have a really good veggie sandwich), but my favorite is 10th & Wood's breakfast. Make sure to try the Elvis french toast (only available on weekends)!
This is a family-owned food coop with a solid selection of grocery essentials and prepared foods. It's walking distance (near BART) from the townhouse.
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Mandela Foods Cooperative
1430 7th StThis is a family-owned food coop with a solid selection of grocery essentials and prepared foods. It's walking distance (near BART) from the townhouse.
I must admit, I've never eaten at Horn but there's always a line and people rave about it. Their hours are limited so make sure you check before taking the short walk or bike ride over.
21 Einheimische empfehlen
Horn Barbecue
2534 Mandela ParkwayI must admit, I've never eaten at Horn but there's always a line and people rave about it. Their hours are limited so make sure you check before taking the short walk or bike ride over.
Rosenblum is a cool winery with a quaint tasting room and great views of the water and ships. Only a couple miles away, this is my favorite hangout on my way to San Francisco via the ferry (which I highly recommend). Bike over or take a rideshare. Have a glass of wine and some almonds instead of waiting in line for the ferry.
30 Einheimische empfehlen
Rosenblum Cellars
10 Clay StRosenblum is a cool winery with a quaint tasting room and great views of the water and ships. Only a couple miles away, this is my favorite hangout on my way to San Francisco via the ferry (which I highly recommend). Bike over or take a rideshare. Have a glass of wine and some almonds instead of waiting in line for the ferry.
This is my favorite Chinese food place in the East Bay. You'll have to drive or take ride share to Berkeley, but it's worth it. Some of Shen Hua's more popular dishes are Andy's chicken, spicy dry fried chicken and Sichuan tea smoked duck, but my favorites are dry fried prawns, salt and pepper squid and hot and sour soup. Call ahead to make sure the owner, Ed, is there (if he's not there, ask for Isaac). He's endless entertainment and will make you feel like a regular. Tell him you're staying at Ronnie's place in West Oakland...
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Shen Hua
2914 College AveThis is my favorite Chinese food place in the East Bay. You'll have to drive or take ride share to Berkeley, but it's worth it. Some of Shen Hua's more popular dishes are Andy's chicken, spicy dry fried chicken and Sichuan tea smoked duck, but my favorites are dry fried prawns, salt and pepper squid and hot and sour soup. Call ahead to make sure the owner, Ed, is there (if he's not there, ask for Isaac). He's endless entertainment and will make you feel like a regular. Tell him you're staying at Ronnie's place in West Oakland...
Sightseeing
There's plenty to see in San Francisco and ordinarily I wouldn't include the The Ferry Building on the top of my list, but this is why you should go:
1. You can get to the Ferry Building by ferry, which is a great way to commute to San Francisco. You get a unique view of the Bay Bridge (from underneath) while bypassing all the traffic. The ferry also serves snacks and adult beverages. The ferry runs frequently and drops off steps from The Ferry Building.
2. If you're short on time, The Ferry Building gives you a diverse sampling of San Francisco all under one roof. Cuisine, collectibles, crustaceans, cookware and chocolates are all there. Great for personal indulgence or gifts.
3. On a nice day, you can enjoy the farmer's market which takes up the outdoor area on the exterior of The Ferry Building.
4. Also outside The Ferry Building and across Embarcadero are many other vendors selling San Francisco collectibles. There are also several solid restaurants a short walk in any direction.
5. The iconic view of the Bay Bridge at any time of day is priceless. My favorite view is at night, when the bridge is illuminated with a light pattern that never repeats. Leo Villareal's light sculpture is a must-see.
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Ferry Building
There's plenty to see in San Francisco and ordinarily I wouldn't include the The Ferry Building on the top of my list, but this is why you should go:
1. You can get to the Ferry Building by ferry, which is a great way to commute to San Francisco. You get a unique view of the Bay Bridge (from underneath) while bypassing all the traffic. The ferry also serves snacks and adult beverages. The ferry runs frequently and drops off steps from The Ferry Building.
2. If you're short on time, The Ferry Building gives you a diverse sampling of San Francisco all under one roof. Cuisine, collectibles, crustaceans, cookware and chocolates are all there. Great for personal indulgence or gifts.
3. On a nice day, you can enjoy the farmer's market which takes up the outdoor area on the exterior of The Ferry Building.
4. Also outside The Ferry Building and across Embarcadero are many other vendors selling San Francisco collectibles. There are also several solid restaurants a short walk in any direction.
5. The iconic view of the Bay Bridge at any time of day is priceless. My favorite view is at night, when the bridge is illuminated with a light pattern that never repeats. Leo Villareal's light sculpture is a must-see.
Jack London Square is great for families. It's on the water, there's activities for all ages, dining options and a scenic walking path. Depending on the time of year, you may also find the farmer's market, festivals, parades and fireworks.
Pro tip: if you park on the street, no matter the time of day, make sure you remove all belongings from plain site. ALL belongings, not just the valuable ones. Just to be safe, implement this best practice everywhere in the Bay.
213 Einheimische empfehlen
Jack London Square
472 Water StJack London Square is great for families. It's on the water, there's activities for all ages, dining options and a scenic walking path. Depending on the time of year, you may also find the farmer's market, festivals, parades and fireworks.
Pro tip: if you park on the street, no matter the time of day, make sure you remove all belongings from plain site. ALL belongings, not just the valuable ones. Just to be safe, implement this best practice everywhere in the Bay.
The San Francisco Bay Trail is a 500-mile path that takes you throughout the Bay, providing breathtaking views of the Bay Area's most iconic scenery. The best part for guests is the SF Bay Trail is right in your backyard! I enjoy biking to Treasure Island, which is an intermediate level of difficulty. Reward yourself upon arrival with a glass of wine at Treasure Island Wines. You can learn more about the SF Bay Trail here: https://baytrail.org/
San Francisco Bay Trail
San Francisco Bay TrailThe San Francisco Bay Trail is a 500-mile path that takes you throughout the Bay, providing breathtaking views of the Bay Area's most iconic scenery. The best part for guests is the SF Bay Trail is right in your backyard! I enjoy biking to Treasure Island, which is an intermediate level of difficulty. Reward yourself upon arrival with a glass of wine at Treasure Island Wines. You can learn more about the SF Bay Trail here: https://baytrail.org/
21+
You can't come to California and not experience the world's greatest plant. Cookies Oakland is one of many Cookies cannabis dispensaries throughout the world. Founded by Berner, San Francisco's own, Cookies is synonymous with San Francisco's counterculture.
Pro tip: if you're looking for flower, ask for SF Canna (San Francisco Cannabis Company) which is San Francisco's preeminent indoor cannabis brand. Be careful, it's potent.
Cookies Oakland
1776 BroadwayYou can't come to California and not experience the world's greatest plant. Cookies Oakland is one of many Cookies cannabis dispensaries throughout the world. Founded by Berner, San Francisco's own, Cookies is synonymous with San Francisco's counterculture.
Pro tip: if you're looking for flower, ask for SF Canna (San Francisco Cannabis Company) which is San Francisco's preeminent indoor cannabis brand. Be careful, it's potent.