32 Awesome Things to Do in Oakland

1. Start your day with an epic breakfast at Mama’s Royal Cafe

Source: Flickr user George Kelly

2. Soak up local flavor with a mosey through the Rockridge, Temescal, and Dimond districts

Source: Flickr user Frank Farm

3. Hunt for all the telephone pole gnomes

Source: fairyroom.com

4. Eat a bear claw the size of your face at Colonial Donuts

Source: Flickr user Umamimart

5. Try one of the dozen-plus kinds of mac and cheese at Homeroom

Source: homeroom510.com

6. Hop on the Sky Tram at the Oakland Zoo and soar above the giraffes

7. Pop over to Alameda and play retro arcade games at High Scores

Source: High Scores

8. Tour the historic Dunsmuir House and its gardens

Source: Wikipedia

9. Visit the grave of the Black Dahlia at Mountain View Cemetery

10. Devour the tea leaf salad from Burma Superstar

Source: Flickr user Kennejima

11. Watch a cult classic while sipping a beer at the new Parkway Theater

12. Drink like it’s 1883 at Heinholds’ First and Last Chance Saloon

Source: Wikipedia

13. Hoot and holler at The Uptown’s classy burlesque revues

Source: Wikipedia

14. Canoe or kayak along the Oakland Estuary

Source: Flickr user Daniel Ramirez

15. Consume far too much caffeine during a Blue Bottle factory tour

Source: Flickr user star5112

16. Spend a day as a circus performer at Trapeze Arts

Source: Flickr user Sha Sha Chu

17. Sample any one of the dozens of brews at The Trappist

Source: Flickr user Klara Kim

18. Pedal boat around Lake Merritt, taking in the recently renovated shoreline

Source: Flickr user John Martinez Pavliga

19. Go urban hiking in the city, or take to the hills and discover countless hidden staircases

Source: oaklandurbanpaths.org

20. Hit the ice (but try not to fall) at the Oakland Ice Center

Source: ouroakland.net

21. Admire the skill of the bonsai gardeners at the Lake Merritt Botanical Garden

Source: gsbf-bonsai.org

22. Treat yourself to a spa day at the ultra-ritzy Claremont Hotel

Source: claremontresort.com

23. Learn about the history of indigenous cultures at the Peralta Hacienda in Fruitvale

Source: Flickr user Jo Guldi

24. Go on a dive bar crawl headlined by the likes of Kingfish, and the Heart and Dagger Saloon

Source: Flickr user George Kelly

25. Get out into nature with a stroll through the Redwood Regional Park

Source: Flickr user sfbaywalk

26. Grab some incredible dim sum at Tao Yuen Pastry after a stroll through Oakland’s Chinatown

Source: oaktownlife.com

27. Grow your brain at the Oakland Museum of California

Source: mack5.com

28. Take your sweetie for a romantic nighttime gondola cruise on the lake

Source: Flickr user Hitchster

29. Have some pizza with your cocktail at the Boot and Shoe Service

Source: raccoonstar.com

30. Marvel at the Mormon Temple’s architecture up close (and at night)

Source: Wikipedia

31. Revel in snootiness with a wine pairing at Commis

Source: Flickr user Arnold Gatilao

32. Take in the amazing view of the Bay from the Chabot Space and Science Center

Source: Chabot Space and Science Center