San Pablo Lytton Casino

San Pablo Lytton Casino is located in neighbouring San Pablo, California, just 20 minutes from Oakland. Pomo Indians own and run this casino, which has Class II gambling machines as well as card games like blackjack, baccarat, poker, and pai gow. After you’ve finished on the casino floor, dine at the Broiler Restaurant and Lounge. Alternatively grab a quick bite at the casino snack bar.

Oaks Card Club

The Oaks Card Club, as the name implies, only offers card games such as blackjack, stud poker, Texas Hold ’em, pan and Omaha hi-lo.  This casino, located just over two miles outside downtown Oakland, has been a Bay Area gambling institution since the 1890s. The venue has 40 gaming tables and runs a variety of weekly events. On-site, the Oaks Corner Hof-Brau & Grill has tableside service for those who wish to dine while they play.

The Palance Poker Casino

The Palace Poker Casino focuses exclusively on poker and takes pride in its tiny and intimate personal atmosphere. This casino is located around 25 minutes south of Oakland in Hayward, California. It hosts daily no-limit Hold ’em tournaments as well as many house promotions. The Palace also has a 50,000 “Bad Beat” jackpot, which means that when the jackpot reaches $50,000, every Texas Hold ’em player in the room gets a share of it. The Palace Cafe also serves food to hungry gamblers on-site.

Lucky Chances

Lucky Chances is a 20-mile drive from Oakland and is located in Colma, California, across the Bay and south of San Francisco. This card room has 50 tables and includes poker games as well as Asian and Vegas-style games like blackjack, baccarat, and Pai Gow. In addition, the casino holds tournaments and promotes ongoing offers such as double jackpots on certain days of the week. After betting, visit the casino’s Cafe Colma, which has Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, and American cuisine.

Artichoke Joe´s

Artichoke Joe’s, a casino with historic origins in the Bay Area, is located in San Bruno, California. It’s around 20 miles from Oakland and three miles from San Francisco International Airport. What began as a one-room pool hall in 1916 by Joseph Sammut has grown into a 20,000-square-foot card casino owned by Sammut’s family. Artichoke Joe’s provides a variety of classic card games, including seven-card stud, baccarat, California blackjack and Pai Gow poker. The casino’s restaurant also offers Asian and American food.

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Wine Bars

The owners of this natural wine-focused bar, restaurant, and bottle shop, Lisa Costa and D.C. Looney, have a lifetime of experience. They’ve worked at nine wineries together, initially meeting at one in Sonoma. Their establishment, located in Uptown, Oakland’s misleading term for downtown, attracts a lively after-work clientele that participate in competitions to name wines in blind tasting flights. Those who can solve all three puzzles don’t have to pay! A dozen themed flight selections (reds, orange wines, Georgian bottlings) are offered, as are roughly 25 wines by the glass from bottles located in a climate-controlled, walk-in cellar across from the bar.

CDP

James Syhabout has helped put Oakland on the gastronomy map. His main restaurant, Commis, has two Michelin stars. In 2017, he took over the other half of the building on Piedmont Avenue to establish this considerably more inexpensive wine bar also located in Oakland. Some of the award-winning Commis menu is also available here, including a five-course menu for around $75. The restaurant tries not to reuse the same ingredient again in the course of a meal. Similarly, in wine pairings, he strives never to use the same variety or place of origin twice. “You find some unexpected, but amazing pairings that way,” Mark Guillaudeu, the drinks director explains. 

Restaurants with excellent wine lists

Shelley Lindgren, co-owner/wine director of the famed San Francisco Italian restaurant, has won a James Beard Award for the wine list with a Southern Italian emphasis. She spent the summer exploring wineries along the Naples-to-Bari route (after which the restaurant is called) in preparation for a book, The New Italian Wine. Sommelier Noah Kenoyer, a winemaker with Blue Ox Wine Co., assists diners in navigating the extensive list. There are 200 reds, 125 whites, and 25 rosés to choose from, many of which are produced by tiny wineries using lesser-known grape varietals.

Shinmai

Yingji Huang, who was born in China, collaborated with Andy Liu to bring his passion for all things Japanese to this restaurant, which is located in the district behind City Hall. There is no signage, as is customary in Huang’s favorite neighborhood of Tokyo, the Roppongi district. A sleek, well-stocked bar sits to the left of a mural depicting kimono-clad women in traditional geisha makeup. 

The California wines pair well with the sophisticated interpretations of traditional Japanese izakaya meals. There’s also a modest but potent saké menu, which includes cedar keg-aged examples from Kyoto and marigold yeast-accented Amabuki.  If you’re looking for a pre-dinner drink, choose the classic Old Fashioned, which is prepared with shochu and Mars Iwai whisky.

Wine Shops

Minimo

Minimo translates as “minimal,” and it refers to both the design and the wine styles available. This wine shop, located near the Oakland waterfront square named after local hero, novelist Jack London, offers a selection of natural wines from the Old World. Georgia and Austria are strongly represented, as are producers from New World countries, such as North America and Australia. There are also plenty of wines for around $20.

Oakland Yard

Max Davis and Daniel Schmidt met while working at a wine shop in Brooklyn, New York. In Temescal, they then opened a business that combines the raw and the polished. A lumberyard and a restaurant specializing in upscale mac and cheese are among the neighbors. Expect classic European wines and Californian bottles well-known to insiders. The Instagram page provides info for the frequent early-evening flight tastings, which often spill out onto the terrace.

Urban Wineries

Brooklyn West

Though Brooklyn and Oakland are very different in many ways, both have attracted swarms of new people from more expensive zip codes across the river. The winery really knows their reds, sourcing grapes from farms in Northern California and Amador. It produces Tempranillos and Barberas that are refined and well-balanced. Its Zinfandels are jammy and huge, but they’re also delicate. The wines are served in its tasting room, which is situated in a refurbished old factory on the waterside. 

Prima Materia

The name of this micro-winery is comes from the Latin for the raw material that alchemists wanted to convert into the philosopher’s stone. Their purpose was to harness this fabled ingredient to transform base metals into gold. This winemaker hopes to turn grapes into wine, which is a much more commonplace process, but not without a mysterious element!

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Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon

This Oakland institution may seem out of place at first. It’s built of weathered wooden planks and sits in the middle of Jack London Square. Between the quirky decor inside and the sunny patio, this is a bar you won’t want to miss. If you want to sit at the antique slanted bar, just remember to keep a hold on your drink.

Sobre Mesa

Nelson German, whose seafood restaurant Alamar is just a few blocks away, has opened his first bar. Sobre Mesa, like his restaurant, is influenced by his Dominican and African-American roots. It features native plants, Haitian rums, and bar foods like bacalao fritters and empanadas. Classic cocktails such as Manhattans are served, but the big sellers are the tropical drinks sold by the pitcher. Try the passionfruit paloma made with blanco tequila, orange liqueur, passion fruit, grapefruit juice, and lime.

Make Westing

Make Westing is always a safe choice for your Friday night cocktail bar of choice here in Oakland. Hang out with a youthful crowd, play Bocce Ball, and drink a fantastic cocktail. Make some friends, drink, and don’t forget to devour an inordinate amount of complimentary habanero popcorn.

Viridian

The cocktail bar in uptown Oakland had a bad start: it launched in February 2020, just a month before the first closure. Over the last year, they’ve transitioned from a bottle shop to a takeout cocktail bar to a bakery. However, as the pandemic fades in the Bay Area, the trendy, neon-lit establishment with Asian American-inspired beverages, nibbles, and desserts is now getting its due. It has become a firm favorite for the newly vaccinated who are finally returning to indoor drinking.

Café Van Kleef’s

While it can be difficult to hear yourself speak when the crowds arrive before and after shows at the Fox Theater, it’s easy to keep yourself occupied admiring the distinctive decor inside Café Van Kleef’s. If you’re going to a performance at the Fox, present your ticket to get a discount on drinks. Be sure to try one of their legendary greyhounds, made with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. But be careful not to drink too many; they are deceptively strong!

Heart and Dagger

Don’t be put off by the tattoos, loud rock music or the leather. While comparing Heart and Dagger to Zeitgeist isn’t completely accurate, this biker bar is a close cousin to the San Francisco establishment. Having said that, it is unquestionably friendlier. How can you go wrong with a dog-friendly patio, pinball, pool, and video games?

Friends and Family

The bar and back patio of this inviting sanctuary on 25th Street are filled with plants, delicious drinks, and natural wine. Owner Black Cole, a long-time beverage professional who launched the bar with an all-female staff just as the outbreak began, creates the cocktails. Now that it’s reopened, the move is to order shrimp cocktail to go with a “grandma’s standard” drink of gin, dry vermouth, and a twist.

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Lori Fogarty, OMCA Director and CEO, expressed her eagerness and excitement to welcome people back into this cherished community space, originally built in 1969. The renovations have been in the works for a long time. Planning started five years ago and construction started in February 2020 last year.

“If there is a silver lining to this [past] year, it is that we are finally releasing and showing our rebuilt garden,” Fogarty added. “We’re overjoyed that we’re finally open, and we have this very lovely new outdoor space.”

The museum’s new landscaping was created by renowned architects Walter Hood and Mark Cavagnero.

The idea, according to museum employees, was to create a more appealing community area for informal gatherings and activities.

The main garden at the rear of the museum, which has panoramic views of Oakland and Lake Merritt, has been mostly neglected. There was originally a concrete wall facing Lake Merritt. Now three gates on the 12th Street side connect visitors travelling between the lake and the museum.

The company realized they wanted to change something during the 2015 Warriors Championship celebration at the Lake Merritt amphitheater. They noticed how close the museum was to Lake Merritt but how far removed they felt from it.

“A million people lived in the area surrounding the lake. Standing on one of these terraces, looking down, we realized nobody knows we’re here.” It was this experience that sowed the seeds for the dismantling of the concrete wall, the construction of the new entrance, and the addition of two new ADA-accessible ramps to the campus.

The museum’s staff also wanted a better space for community events, such as the successful Friday Nights at OMCA series, which began in 2013. The Friday night programs, held on the museum’s 10th Street side, provided after-hours admission to the galleries as well as local food sellers, live music, and activities. More community programming will now be possible with the renovated gardens.

The museum cafe has also had a substantial upgrade.

Town Fare, now helmed by famous local chef and restaurateur Tanya Holland, serves plant-based, seasonal soul food in a fast and casual format.

At present, the restaurant does not provide a sit-down service.
Town Fare will eventually be open to the public even outside of the OMCA’s work hours. Guests will then be able to enjoy a meal at any time.

At the moment guests who want to tour the gardens must check to receive free, timed access.
In the future, the museum will make outdoor areas accessible to the public even while the museum is closed. There will be no need for tickets.

To visit the Oakland Museum of California, guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. Regardless of vaccination status, masks are essential. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays.

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Actual Coffee

This community café in Oakland’s Golden Gate area has something for everyone. It’s a popular venue for coffee, lunch, dinner, and brunch. Actual invites artists, cyclists, and musicians and helps the community by supporting the development of sustainable solutions. On weekends, they’re laptop-free  to create a lively environment for people to interact. What distinguishes Actual Cafe is their celebration of community as well as their participation in it.

Timeless Coffee Roasters

Coffee Roasters that have stood the test of time
Timeless Coffee Roasters proudly roasts their coffees in-house and serves some of Oakland’s greatest java drinks. It’s one of the locals’ favourite cafés due to their great coffee quality and extensive breakfast menu.

Blue Bottle Coffee

Another popular cafe in the Bay Area is Blue Bottle Coffee. The iconic blue bottle logo looms large in this establishment, and they always serve a fresh cup of coffee here since they only use in-house roasted beans from the previous two days. Come to Blue Bottle for a fresh cup of coffee and to unwind in their modern and spacious environment.

Bicycle Coffee

What began as a one-man coffee shop on a bike has now grown into a full-fledged coffee shop. Their highly regarded coffees are now available in their shop in downtown Oakland, and you can even purchase some of their beans there to make your own brews at home. They create some great ice cold coffees here, and you can even bring your own growler to fill up with their ice coffees!

Cole Coffee

Cole Coffee has been a fixture in the Oakland cafe scene for nearly two decades. Their longevity can be attributed to their freshly roasted beans and the lively ambience of their cafés. Why not relax on one of their sofas where you can have enjoy a good read whilst drinking a cup of your favourite brew. A great place to meet up with some friends. 

Modern Coffee

Modern Coffee, which has a few outlets in Oakland, has established itself as a dependable source of good coffee. It sources their beans from some of America’s greatest roasters and prepares your coffee to order rather than in batches.  It’s definitiely the place to go for your favourite made-to-order coffee beverage.

Coloso

This small café is a relative newcomer to the coffee scene in Oakland. Coloso Coffee is moving away from pour over drip coffees in favor of batch brewed drip coffee and espresso. Jose Posadas and Renzo Gianella, the founders, strive to value their customers’ time by serving rapid cups and keeping open seven days a week. Coloso also provides pastries from San Francisco’s Sandbox Bakery. The smaller space of the cafe has a minimalist atmosphere and d espite its small size, has a warm and easygoing vibe.

Farley’s

Farley’s takes pride in its community influence and uses its shop as a venue to assist local businesses. Mnay locals consider it to be Oakland’s most welcoming and accepting coffee shop, supporting everything from local artists to non-profits. It’s not uncommon to see a community workshop taking place at Farley’s, so make yourself at home here.

Awaken Cafe

This cafe’s walls are covered with the work of local artists, and it hosts open mic evenings. It has been a neighborhood treasure for over a decade!

It’s more than simply a café though. It also features an award-winning espresso bar, a beer and wine bar, and an event space.

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Original Pattern Brewing Company

While their surreal taps may have you wondering if you were abducted by aliens, Original Pattern Brewing Company’s beer will return you back to Earth. Their  barleywine has the unmistakeable taste of cookies. The smoked coffee porter will have you wondering if beer can be counted as breakfast. Original Pattern allows guests to reserve cans online if you don´t want to miss out on a limited run.  This comes in handy as they regularly runs out of stock as soon as it is released.

Drake’s Brewing

It’s impossible to discuss breweries in Oakland without mentioning Drake’s. This craft-brewing legend first served its brews in 1989 and has steadily grown since. Their acclaimed IPAs, notably the omnipresent Best Coast label and the infamous Denogginizer, are legendary. Drake’s flagship brewpub in San Leandro, which borders Oakland to the south, boasts food that is almost worth the journey by itself. But, if you can’t make it, drop by Drake’s Dealership in Oakland. In the outdoor beer garden, you’ll find fantastic food, great excellent beer, and proper vibes.

Temescal Brewing

Temescal Brewing has a lot going for it. To begin, they provide an impressive mix of accomplished classic styles, such as their altbier and the super smooth coffee porter. Then there are the more contemporary recipes that showcase a lot of flavor and personality. Their white ale with apricot and orange, known as the Forever Sun, is a masterclass in harmony of its elements. As the ingredients linger on your tongue, each sip adds more and more depth. Whilest they are primarily a brewery, there is always at least one food truck on hand to keep your hunger at bay. If the food truck does not appear, Temescal provides complimentary freshly popped popcorn. Crowlers are also available if you want to take away any of their beers you have enjoyed on tap .

Ghost Town Brewing

West Oakland isn’t exactly buzzing, which might be where Ghost Town gets their name. With fifteen taps though, there’s enough beer to last a whole afterlife. The Cat Hoarder nitro milk stout is smooth and rich, whilst the Locrian pale ale is one of the best in the San Francisco Bay Area. Be sure to grab the four-pack of the latter if it’s in the fridge. Ghost Town really is the place to go if you’re a ghoul yearning for a good time.

Ale Industries

For almost a decade, Ale Industries has been one of the best breweries in Oakland. Throughout that period, their primary concept has remained the same: to show people how diverse beer can be. They have a great selection of hoppy beers as well as crisp/clean beers for the more traditional palate. But it’s until you start digging into their strange stuff that you realize this spot is really special. Take, for example, their raw ale, which is created with gin-inspired ingredients. It’s aromatic and unusual,and completely captures what makes this brewery special.

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The zoo is located in the 525-acre Knowland Park in the Oakland Hills, and is home to over 700 indigenous and exotic animals. The teaching center features cultural exhibitions, and kids will love the new butterfly garden and the amusements area, which includes a roller coaster, an endangered animal carousel, and a train. A gondola ride with unmatched Bay Area vistas will transport you up the hill to The California Trail. Check out the native animals such as Grizzly Bears, Bison, Grey Wolves, and more!

How to Discover Oakland Zoo

The Oakland Zoo is located in the Grass Valley area. Founded in 1922 by the Conservation Society of California, it is a non-profit organisation commited to wildlife conservation on a local and worldwide scale. At least 850 native and exotic animals live at the zoo and it’s famous worldwide for its highly regarded animal care. In particular its elephant care program. The zoo also has a 17,000 sq foot, state-of-the-art veterinary hospital, which is the largest wild animal medical facility in Northern California.

Origins

In 1922, naturalist Henry A. Snow founded the Oakland Zoo near 19th and Harrison Streets in downtown Oakland. Snow Park now stands on the site of the zoo’s original location. Over the years it has moved many times, first to Sequoia Park, then to Joaquin Miller Park, and eventually to Durant Park in 1939. California purchased the area under the chairmanship of the California State Park Commission, Joseph R. Knowland, and christened the park Joseph Knowland State Arboretum and Park in 1950.

New exhibits

Many new exhibits are available to see and discover at Oakland zoo, including those for chimps and hamadryas baboons. The building of the sun bear display, which aired on Animal Planet Ultimate Zoos completed in 1995. The white-handed gibbons now reside on a verdant island deep in the Rainforest. The African Savannah includes camels, lions, elephants, hyenas, meerkats, and other animals and started in 1998.

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These 10 East Bay sports pubs provide a social setting where you can watch the game, drink beer, eat, and shout at the refs.

Grand Oaks

Grand Oaks, one of the oldest sports bars on this list, started in 1988 and has an old school, locals’ hangout atmosphere. Whilst you can get a pint and a burger here, this is the only sports bar in Oakland where you can order escargot and a ribeye steak while watching the game.

Mad Oak Bar

Mad Oak, one of the East Bay’s only rooftop bars, attracts regulars with its spacious patio and deck, rotating food pop-ups, extensive bar, and 40 brews on tap. It’s a terrific place to watch a game leisurely, with multiple TVs on silent unless it’s a significant sporting event, like a Warriors playoff game, in which case the sound will be up and everyone will be dressed in blue and gold.

The Athletic Club

The Athletic Club is one of the most serious sports bars in Oakland, with two floors, 40 screens, and 20 different sound zones. Following in the footsteps of the San Francisco version, the Oakland bar provides serious comfort in a choice of bar, booth, or dining table settings – and you can reserve your seats ahead of a big game. There’s also a fully stocked bar, a huge food menu and an up-to-date calendar on the website.

George and Walt’s

With around a dozen TVs, a full bar, reasonable priced beers, and basic bar fare, Rockridge’s classic and friendly neighborhood tavern is a laid-back, no-frills venue to watch sports. There aren’t many establishments like it in the otherwise affluent neighborhood.

Fort Green

Fort Green, from the same team that brought you The Miranda and Drexl, is an elegant sports bar in an art deco property in Old Oakland. Retro cocktails, boozy slushies, buckets of beer, wine, and Ferraris on tap are available, along with appetizers or pizza. If you don’t want to watch the game, Fort Green also has Hoop Fever, shuffle board, and board games.

Pappy’s Grill & Sports Bar

Pappy’s Grill & Sports Bar, named after legendary UC Berkeley football coach Pappy Waldorf, is the place to go to watch Cal games with raucous fans. There are two full bars, 16 beers on tap, 15 TVs, and a massive 205-inch HD projection screen, so everyone will be able to view the game. If you’re hungry Pappy’s serves burgers, sandwiches, and salads.

Bobby G’s Pizzeria

This Berkeley pizza joint has TVs on the walls so you can see the game from wherever you are. There is only beer and wine available, but the beer selection is local and fresh, with around a dozen taps. While watching Sunday morning football, share a New York-style pizza or a pan-fried breakfast pizza. Bobby G’s has a schedule of the games that will be shown on its website.

Hometown Heroes

With Warriors and Athletics memorabilia on the walls and games on the TVs, the East Bay branch of Hometown Heroes celebrates the sports teams of Oakland. It’s a bit small, and the TVs are difficult to see from the huge patio, but Hometown Heroes overcomes all that with spectacular drinks like the Rickey Henderson (rum, blue curacao, pineapple) and refined Filipino food via the pop-up Likha.

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The Spanish Royal Government granted the land to Lus Mara Peralta at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

The ranch’s acreage featured an oak forest, which was named Encinal, the Spanish term for “Oakland.”

When Peralta died in 1842, he left his estate to his four sons.

They would clear land for American settlers, loggers, European whalers, and fur dealers to settle. Following California’s acquisition of the United States during the Mexican-American War, and California’s Gold Rush in 1848, full-scale settlements and developments occurred. On May 4, 1852, the California state legislature formed Oakland.

With the railroads, the town and its surroundings flourished quickly. It became a significant railway stop in the late 1860s and 1870s. This included the construction of the Oakland Long Wharf Terminus as well as the largest train yards and servicing facilities in West Oakland. These remained a key local employer in the Southern Pacific well into the twentieth century.

Because of Oakland’s industrial significance and the requirement for a seaport, a shipping and tidal channel was dug in 1902. This formed the “island” of the nearby town of Alameda. In 1906, the population more than doubled as a result of refugees fleeing the San Francisco earthquake and fire. In 1915, a Chevrolet facility was established on Oakland’s southern outskirts. Oakland’s manufacturing industries included metals, canneries, bakeries, autos, and shipbuilding by 1920.

The general postwar rebound, as well as the discovery of oil reserves in Los Angeles and the widespread adoption of the automobile, fueled economic expansion.

The city expanded dramatically during the 1920s.

Several war-related industries were located in the East Bay Area during WWII.

The war brought a significant number of employees from all over the country to Oakland,. Many of whom were African Americans from the western south, who prospered throughout the war years. Soon after the war, the shipbuilding and automotive industries vanished. Many of those who moved to the city did not leave whilst the city’s wealthy residents moved to the newly built suburbs. At the end of the 1960s, Oakland, which had been quite rich prior to the war, had a population that had become progressively impoverished.

The city was home to an innovative funk music movement in the 1960s, which spawned well-known bands such as Sly & Family Stone and Graham Central Station. In the 1960s, the Oakland Chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club grew into a strong organization. By the 1980s, it was the Hells Angels’ most feared and infamous chapter. The Oakland Clubhouse remains in East Oakland to this day. In sports, the Oakland Athletics won three World Series in a row. The Golden State Warriors won the NBA title in 1974-1975,. The Oakland Raiders also won the Super Bowl XI in 1977.

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