If I could live anywhere in the Bay, it would be Oakland.

Long-term, I’d like to live in Alameda but that’s just a bridge or tunnel away. Since I don’t live there, my boyfriend and I drive up to Oakland frequently.

Chinatown

If we’re early on a weekend, we might stop by Chinatown for some glutinous rice cake—my favorite—at Tao Yuen. Or, if we really want to treat ourselves, we’ll pick up boba from The Sweet Booth. Their drinks are made with real fruit which tastes amazing, especially the honeydew and lychee drinks.

Whenever we make our way to Chinatown, David never misses a chance to bring up King Wah, a Chinese restaurant that isn’t there anymore. I’ll never get to taste the chow mein or wonton he describes so fondly, but at least Tao Yuen and The Sweet Booth are still up and running. It’s nice being able to visit places in his childhood when we can; hopefully soon, I’ll be able to take him to mine in Alaska!

UPDATE 11/17/2021: The Sweet Booth closed in October 2021 due to its owners retiring. Thank you TSB for making our Oakland trips that much sweeter!

Temescal Alley

You’ll most likely find us at Temescal Alley next, picking up another plant baby or pot from Crimson Horticultural Rarities. I also like to browse through Homestead Apothecary at the end of the alley. They carry tarot decks, crystals, essential oils, and a slew of herbs.

UPDATE 1/2/2020: Homestead Apothecary closed its storefront in Feb. 2020, but you can still purchase goods via their website! Thank you HA for making our Oakland trips that much happier!

Lake Merritt and Grand Lake

Before going home, we like to at least drive by Lake Merritt, or stop and walk around the lake if it’s a nice day. My favorite buildings around Lake Merritt are The Cathedral of Christ the Light, an award winning building designed by architecture firm SOM, and the historic Bellevue-Staten, designed by Herman Carl Baumann and built in 1929.

The Town has also recently upgraded the northwest side of the lake—near the cathedral—with a bike lane, something we’ll be sure to try out in 2020 once it gets warmer. (And I get more confident cycling on the road.)

Most recently, I found a new favorite: Brother & Sisters Flower Shop which is located north of the lake on Grand Avenue. The shopfront is discrete; it’s literally a hole in the wall. Passing the threshold is like entering a secret garden. Their displays were thoughtfully and charmingly arranged the first time I visited, inspiring me to pick up a few dried flowers and make an arrangement of my own.

If anything, it’s the architecture and art that makes me fall in love with Oakland over and over again.

There are a ton of gems in Oakland I have yet to find, so please share your favorites in the comments below! And, if you liked this post, you might like my Favorite Places in Los Angeles. Thanks for reading, my friends. See you next time!