A Day In Oaklands Rockridge Neighborhood

The Rockridge neighborhood is one of the commercial meccas of Oakland, attracting visitors with its quaint charm, vibrant restaurant scene, and abundant shopping opportunities. Spend a day strolling down College Avenue or exploring the nearby residential neighborhoods to soak in the vibes of one of Oakland’s most desirable districts.

Located south of the Berkeley city limits and west of the Oakland hills sits one of the most well-known and appreciated neighborhoods of Oakland – Rockridge. With large houses and small bungalows from the 1920s and ‘50s lining the main commercial street, College Avenue, Rockridge has a sweet yet urban appeal. Home to one of Oakland’s central BART stations, this area is friendly and easy for visitors coming from a variety of locations. Simply drive or BART to College Avenue and spend the day eating and moseying through the neighborhood.
Start your day off with a stop at Rockridge Market Hall. This indoor market, sitting kitty corner from Rockridge BART, is the perfect place to get a little sample of everything. Stroll from shop to shop while gazing at the plethora of meats, cheeses, and wines before picking out your morning fix. The Market Hall Bakery or Highwire Coffee Roasters will help you get your day going with their delicious treats. Pick your favorite pastry or bagel and grab one of the outdoor tables that line the market. This is the perfect spot to start your day and enjoy the essence of Oakland’s College Avenue.

Rockridge Market Hall, 5655 College Avenue, Oakland, CA, USA +1 510 250 6000

College Avenue Presbyterian Church, 5951 College Avenue, Oakland, CA, USA +1 510 658 3665

Pegasus Books, 5560 College Avenue, Oakland, CA, USA +1 510 652 6259

If books aren’t quite your thing, not to worry; this commercial hub is lined with clothing stores for any fancy. One of the best vintage shops is Pretty Penny. With its constantly changing collection of clothing, accessories, and shoes, Pretty Penny is a great store to get lost in. Carrying a mix of contemporary and vintage pieces, it is perfect for any shopper. Comb through the racks and try on something unexpected while enjoying the trendy atmosphere. Continue your shopping spree at Tootsies, a women’s shoe store, or across the street at Maison d’Etre for home décor and knickknacks. Artistic and eclectic, Maison d’Etre will surprise you with its random but lovely items for sale. You are sure to find something you hadn’t realized you needed.

Pretty Penny, 5488 College Avenue, Oakland, CA, USA +1 510 594 9219

Tootsies, 5525 College Avenue, Oakland, CA, USA +1 510 595 7272

Maison d’Etre, 5640 College Avenue, Oakland, CA, USA 1 510 658 2801

After enjoying your shopping experience, finish off your day visit to Rockridge with a late lunch at Cactus Taqueria. Providing a relaxed and family-friendly vibe, Cactus is, hands down, one of the best Mexican restaurants in the area. With its extensive menu, deciding what to eat is often difficult, but luckily you simply cannot go wrong. Savor the crispy tacos, which are served with four meat options and stuffed with guacamole, cheese, salsa, and lettuce. If tacos aren’t your jam, you can never go wrong with a classic burrito served up quick thanks to Cactus’s assembly line kitchen. In terms of drinks, enjoy a pitcher of beer with friends and make an afternoon of it, or order the delicious horchata to perfectly round out your meal.
Cactus Taqueria, 5642 College Avenue, Oakland, CA, USA +1 510 658 6180

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.