10 Things To Do & See In Oakland, California

If you’re aching to explore the great outdoors, try Redwood Regional Park! Located just a short drive from Highway 13, the park’s 1,830 acres are home to second-growth 150-foot redwood trees that shade 40 miles of trails. As you hike, you’ll see a variety of animals, including birds, squirrels, deer, and even the occasional fox or rabbit. Best of all, every trail is clearly marked, and most loop back to the staging area, so it’s nearly impossible to get lost!

For people who don’t mind eating with their hands, Cafe Colucci is a go-to dinner spot. Offering authentic Ethiopian dishes served with spongy injera that is always prepared that day, Colucci is perfect for meat-lovers and vegetarians alike. Order a platter so you can try a variety of menu items, like Begue Wot, spicy lamb stewed in an onion and garlic sauce, and Gomen, collard greens sauteed with onions, garlic, and tomatoes. When you’ve finished, top it off with some tiramisu or baklava!

If you’re looking to pick up some fresh, seasonal local produce, there’s no better place than the Grand Lake – Oakland Farmers Market. As one of the Bay Area’s best farmers markets, here you’ll find over 40 farmers, 30 specialty food producers, and many crafters, all eager to offer you samples as you stroll past their white tents. When you finish shopping, sit in the grass by the gorgeous Lake Merritt to enjoy your purchases, or explore the rest of the bustling Grand Lake District, located just a few blocks away.

The Paramount Theater of the Arts is widely recognized as one of the best movie theaters in Oakland, and both the Oakland Symphony and the Oakland Ballet regularly perform there as well. But even if you can’t catch a showing of The Nutcracker or Rachmaninoff, the Paramount is a show in and of itself. Built in 1931, the theater is one of the United States’ best examples of Art Deco architecture. Join a tour to get a behind the scenes look at this beautiful space!