Resources and Recommendations
Shopping and amenities
Closest spot for groceries (Safeway), liquor and drug store (CVS) needs. Also a Peet’s Coffee, gas station and Sparky’s (decent burger / grilled foods spot) and some other food and amenities. Note: grocery stores have beer, wine and liquor, but options and quantity varies store to store.
6 locals recommend
Lincoln Square Shopping Center
4100 Redwood RdClosest spot for groceries (Safeway), liquor and drug store (CVS) needs. Also a Peet’s Coffee, gas station and Sparky’s (decent burger / grilled foods spot) and some other food and amenities. Note: grocery stores have beer, wine and liquor, but options and quantity varies store to store.
Not all Safeways are created equal. This one is really big and has everything, including a big beer, wine and liquor selection.
44 locals recommend
Safeway
5100 BroadwayNot all Safeways are created equal. This one is really big and has everything, including a big beer, wine and liquor selection.
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveWhole Foods Market
230 Bay PlBerkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon StLaunderland
3711 MacArthur BlvdClosest laundromat option with drop off / pickup service.
Food scene
Great, outdoor Mexican place with a cool atmosphere and tasty drinks. NOTE: make a reservation
23 locals recommend
NIDO's Backyard
104 Oak StGreat, outdoor Mexican place with a cool atmosphere and tasty drinks. NOTE: make a reservation
Cool old school diner with great food. Has limited hours, so check that it’s open before going.
76 locals recommend
Bette's Oceanview Diner
1807A Fourth StCool old school diner with great food. Has limited hours, so check that it’s open before going.
Amazing pastries. Recommend the cheese & cherry danish. Limited quantities, so things run out early.
25 locals recommend
Nabolom Bakery - Pizzeria
2708 Russell StAmazing pastries. Recommend the cheese & cherry danish. Limited quantities, so things run out early.
Fancy deli with good sandwiches. You can order online for pickup.
10 locals recommend
Mulberry's Market
335 Highland AveFancy deli with good sandwiches. You can order online for pickup.
They’re all over, but this is the one that we typically go to near home (the closest one is in deep East Oakland near the Coliseum). Tip: the drive-through line is always long, go in and order to stay or go.
13 locals recommend
In-N-Out Burger
555 Willie Stargell AveThey’re all over, but this is the one that we typically go to near home (the closest one is in deep East Oakland near the Coliseum). Tip: the drive-through line is always long, go in and order to stay or go.
Good fried chicken…not much else to say! You can order for delivery on Grubhub or Caviar apps.
28 locals recommend
Proposition Chicken
3465 Market StGood fried chicken…not much else to say! You can order for delivery on Grubhub or Caviar apps.
Their “thin crust” pizza is a good, normal pizza…but their specialty is deep dish. You can order for delivery on Caviar app.
247 locals recommend
Zachary's Chicago Pizza
5801 College AveTheir “thin crust” pizza is a good, normal pizza…but their specialty is deep dish. You can order for delivery on Caviar app.
Good thin crust pizza and some sandwich options. You can order for delivery on Caviar app.
64 locals recommend
The Star on Grand
3425 Grand AveGood thin crust pizza and some sandwich options. You can order for delivery on Caviar app.
Sightseeing
Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
One of my favorite hikes. Use the link below or search for “Sibley Staging Area” so you’re not misled.
Sibley Staging Area
6800 Skyline BlvdSibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
One of my favorite hikes. Use the link below or search for “Sibley Staging Area” so you’re not misled.
Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood RoadFlat path surrounded by new growth redwood forest.
Fun little hike that goes straight up, but isn’t that long. Nice view of a valley at the top.
Big Bear Staging Area
Redwood RoadFun little hike that goes straight up, but isn’t that long. Nice view of a valley at the top.
A bit of a drive, but you can drive to the top of the mountain…which has great views.
29 locals recommend
Mount Diablo State Park - North Gate Road Entrance
1300 N Gate RdA bit of a drive, but you can drive to the top of the mountain…which has great views.
Not that close, but a relatively short drive to Marin. You can drive to the top of the mountain then make a short, easy hike to the top of the peak, which has amazing views.
19 locals recommend
Mount Tamalpais East Peak
Old Railroad Grade TrailNot that close, but a relatively short drive to Marin. You can drive to the top of the mountain then make a short, easy hike to the top of the peak, which has amazing views.
Coastal day trip
You need to make a reservation for parking in advance online. There are also shuttle options from Marin available.
660 locals recommend
Muir Woods National Monument
You need to make a reservation for parking in advance online. There are also shuttle options from Marin available.
Great, fresh oysters and other food options with outdoor seating on Tomales Bay. Is seasonal and closes pretty early, check hours online.
67 locals recommend
The Marshall Store
19225 CA-1Great, fresh oysters and other food options with outdoor seating on Tomales Bay. Is seasonal and closes pretty early, check hours online.
Point Reyes Shipwrecks
12783 Sir Francis Drake BlvdCool photo opp spot on the way to the lighthouse.
While the lighthouse is definitely cool, the drive there is what I really love. It seems like the stairs down to the lighthouse are often closed when there is no Ranger on duty. So check online in advance. Can also get pretty foggy on the coast in the summer.
46 locals recommend
Point Reyes Lighthouse
While the lighthouse is definitely cool, the drive there is what I really love. It seems like the stairs down to the lighthouse are often closed when there is no Ranger on duty. So check online in advance. Can also get pretty foggy on the coast in the summer.
Neighborhoods
Closest town center that has some decent shopping, restaurants and other services.
58 locals recommend
Montclair
Closest town center that has some decent shopping, restaurants and other services.
Rockridge
Shopping, restaurants, and a popular BART station.
City advice
Getting around
General safety
Unless you are very familiar with the area, we recommend avoiding the neighborhoods downhill from our property. That area is deep East Oakland, which has a lot of challenges with crime and safety. If navigation directs you to something in that area, you may want to seek other options.
In the driveway and anywhere you park in the Bay Area, be sure to lock your car and don’t leave anything in it that will make people think about breaking in (or anything you’ll really miss if stolen), even if hidden.
Be sure to always lock doors if leaving the house and when going to bed for the night.