The Most Beautiful Picnic Spots In Oakland

Oakland is an eclectic place to enjoy food and nature, and an ideal destination to take a break and experience the East Bay’s beauty with a picnic. There are many locations within the city and in the rolling hills where you can go to appreciate all the Oakland has to offer. Enjoy our guide to the best spots to eat and relax in the outdoors.

1. Lake Merritt

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A grassy and urban hangout located right next to downtown Oakland, Lake Merritt offers a perfect space to enjoy both city and nature. With a 3.4-mile shoreline, there are plenty of places to lay down a blanket and enjoy the atmosphere of the East Bay. Lake Merritt is the perfect picnic spot to go people watching, listen to music, and sip on drinks. Its location also makes it easy to grab food from a local restaurant and relax by the water. Check out the Grand Lake Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, which is widely considered the best in the East Bay. It draws groups of people to eat and bask by the lake in the Oakland sun. Look out for special events held at the South end of Lake Merritt to enjoy live music while picnicking. Redwood Regional Park | © MiguelVieira/Flickr