Welcome to my Swell Nest!
Food scene
WALKING DISTANCE! Fabulous Brazilian food and taproom is just a few blocks from your front door!
29 locals recommend
Paulista Brazilian Kitchen and Taproom
4239 Park BlvdWALKING DISTANCE! Fabulous Brazilian food and taproom is just a few blocks from your front door!
WALKING DISTANCE - just a few blocks from your front door!
29 locals recommend
Sushi Park | Japanese Restaurant
4209 Park BlvdWALKING DISTANCE - just a few blocks from your front door!
Blackberry Bistro
4240 Park BlvdWALKING DISTANCE - just a few blocks from your front door!
Marzano
WALKING DISTANCE - just a few blocks from your front door!
WALKING DISTANCE! This fabulous local market has a great selection, and on Monday evening hosts the Roli Roti gourmet rotisserie food truck.
23 locals recommend
Rocky's Market
1440 Leimert BlvdWALKING DISTANCE! This fabulous local market has a great selection, and on Monday evening hosts the Roli Roti gourmet rotisserie food truck.
WALKING DISTANCE! Beautiful new hot spot in a former firehouse nearby in the Dimond district with delicious Mexican food by a popular local chef. Try the smoked trout tostada!
12 locals recommend
Bombera
3459 Champion StreetWALKING DISTANCE! Beautiful new hot spot in a former firehouse nearby in the Dimond district with delicious Mexican food by a popular local chef. Try the smoked trout tostada!
A short drive into a hidden neighborhood brings you to my family's very favorite little restaurant - a hidden gem for Thai - Vietnamese - Laotian food.
19 locals recommend
Vientian Cafe
3801 Allendale AveA short drive into a hidden neighborhood brings you to my family's very favorite little restaurant - a hidden gem for Thai - Vietnamese - Laotian food.
I haven't been here (my family loves Vientian too much!) but they are known for excellent Thai food in the neighboring Montclair district (perhaps more upscale than Vientian).
45 locals recommend
Daughter Thai Kitchen
6118 Medau PlI haven't been here (my family loves Vientian too much!) but they are known for excellent Thai food in the neighboring Montclair district (perhaps more upscale than Vientian).
WALKING DISTANCE! Excellent fresh bread and pastries next door to Peet's coffee. It's a nice morning walk through Dimond Park, past the public library and Farmer Joe's grocery store. (Always lock your car and don't leave anything visible in it... this corner unfortunately seems to be a target for occasional "smash and grabs," but the local businesses are well worth your time and alertness!!)
70 locals recommend
La Farine
3411 Fruitvale AveWALKING DISTANCE! Excellent fresh bread and pastries next door to Peet's coffee. It's a nice morning walk through Dimond Park, past the public library and Farmer Joe's grocery store. (Always lock your car and don't leave anything visible in it... this corner unfortunately seems to be a target for occasional "smash and grabs," but the local businesses are well worth your time and alertness!!)
Lake Merritt's most excellent vegetarian pizza and bakery cooperative - one pizza recipe made daily, and it's always exceptional!
198 locals recommend
Arizmendi Bakery
3265 Lakeshore AveLake Merritt's most excellent vegetarian pizza and bakery cooperative - one pizza recipe made daily, and it's always exceptional!
A famous Berkeley gourmet treasure - Alice Water’s restaurant. Try their exquisite upstairs cafe!!! Reservations for the “downstairs” famous multi-course formal fixed price dinner can be difficult to obtain.
337 locals recommend
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck AveA famous Berkeley gourmet treasure - Alice Water’s restaurant. Try their exquisite upstairs cafe!!! Reservations for the “downstairs” famous multi-course formal fixed price dinner can be difficult to obtain.
A family-friendly & local favorite sibling restaurant to the famed Chez Panisse restauranteurs.
45 locals recommend
Picante
1328 Sixth StA family-friendly & local favorite sibling restaurant to the famed Chez Panisse restauranteurs.
Rockridge Market Hall
5655 College Ave
Dimond Slice Pizza
2208 MacArthur BlvdWALKING DISTANCE through Dimond Park (daylight).
In-N-Out Burger
555 Willie Stargell AveSightseeing
WALKING DISTANCE! You are one block walk to beautiful and recently renovated Dimond Park, with Lion's public lap swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball hoops, community playground, and delightful walks along the creek. (If you bring your pup, be a conscientious dog owner. Leashes are required in Dimond Park, and please bring bags to pick up and dispose of your pup's poop.)
43 locals recommend
Dimond Park
3860 Hanly RdWALKING DISTANCE! You are one block walk to beautiful and recently renovated Dimond Park, with Lion's public lap swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball hoops, community playground, and delightful walks along the creek. (If you bring your pup, be a conscientious dog owner. Leashes are required in Dimond Park, and please bring bags to pick up and dispose of your pup's poop.)
Lake Merritt is 2.1 miles away and a nice walk or bike ride from the house. Saturday mornings are fun and bustling due to the Grand Lake Farmer's Market.
The popular 3.2 mile loop trail around Lake Merritt is a 45-60 minute walk on its own. Dogs must be kept on leash.
The Pergola at Lake Merritt
599 El EmbarcaderoLake Merritt is 2.1 miles away and a nice walk or bike ride from the house. Saturday mornings are fun and bustling due to the Grand Lake Farmer's Market.
The popular 3.2 mile loop trail around Lake Merritt is a 45-60 minute walk on its own. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Redwood Regional Park is extensive and beautiful, with many entrances. They are all worth a visit! This main entrance is perhaps the furthest away, through a Ranger's gate. They might ask for a parking fee on weekends, but this more-direct route into the redwood forest is worth it!
373 locals recommend
Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood RoadRedwood Regional Park is extensive and beautiful, with many entrances. They are all worth a visit! This main entrance is perhaps the furthest away, through a Ranger's gate. They might ask for a parking fee on weekends, but this more-direct route into the redwood forest is worth it!
WALKING DISTANCE! The house is one block away from the fabulous Lion's public lap swimming pool in Dimond Park. Perfect for a morning walk and invigorating swim!
Fall 2021 Lap Swim
MTWF 11-2:30, M-W 6pm-8pm, Sat 11am-2:30pm
$6/adult (Seniors cost less) or $50 for 10 swims, $135 for 30 swims
http://www.oaklandca.gov/resources/learn-more-about-lions-pool-at-dimond-park
13 locals recommend
Lions Pool at Dimond Park
3860 Hanly RdWALKING DISTANCE! The house is one block away from the fabulous Lion's public lap swimming pool in Dimond Park. Perfect for a morning walk and invigorating swim!
Fall 2021 Lap Swim
MTWF 11-2:30, M-W 6pm-8pm, Sat 11am-2:30pm
$6/adult (Seniors cost less) or $50 for 10 swims, $135 for 30 swims
http://www.oaklandca.gov/resources/learn-more-about-lions-pool-at-dimond-park
A lovely lake to walk around or have a picnic (or BBQ) on a pretty day. Quieter and less busy than Lake Merritt... just different... both delightful.
24 locals recommend
Temescal Regional Recreation Area
6500 Broadway TerraceA lovely lake to walk around or have a picnic (or BBQ) on a pretty day. Quieter and less busy than Lake Merritt... just different... both delightful.
A favorite trailhead into the endless gorgeous options in Redwood Regional Park. I use the AllTrails app on my phone to plan my hike based on the distance and effort that I feel up to. (Note, you'll likely lose cell phone reception on many of these trails.) Great for off-leash dogs!
18 locals recommend
Skyline Gate Staging Area
8490 Skyline BlvdA favorite trailhead into the endless gorgeous options in Redwood Regional Park. I use the AllTrails app on my phone to plan my hike based on the distance and effort that I feel up to. (Note, you'll likely lose cell phone reception on many of these trails.) Great for off-leash dogs!
Another favorite and popular trailhead... once you've passed the initial field of serpentine rock geology, you can let your pup off leash! (Always lock your car and don't leave anything in it!)
Richard C. Trudeau Conference Center
11500 Skyline BlvdAnother favorite and popular trailhead... once you've passed the initial field of serpentine rock geology, you can let your pup off leash! (Always lock your car and don't leave anything in it!)
Shoreline Park
An hour or two away (depending on traffic) but very worth a trip to the Marin coast & coastal redwoods!
660 locals recommend
Muir Woods National Monument
An hour or two away (depending on traffic) but very worth a trip to the Marin coast & coastal redwoods!
An hour or two away (depending on traffic) but very worth a trip to the Marin side of the S.F. Bay, coast & coastal redwoods!
Downtown Sausalito
BridgewayAn hour or two away (depending on traffic) but very worth a trip to the Marin side of the S.F. Bay, coast & coastal redwoods!
Golden Gate View Point
Old Conzelman Road
Treasure Island Museum
Venues
Fabulous historic theater in the heart of Oakland's Uptown district.
120 locals recommend
Paramount Theatre
2025 BroadwayFabulous historic theater in the heart of Oakland's Uptown district.
The Fox Theater is a fabulous and intimate venue to see headlining performers!
264 locals recommend
Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph AveThe Fox Theater is a fabulous and intimate venue to see headlining performers!
Grand Lake Theater
3200 Grand AveThe favorite local movie house beside Lake Merritt!
The New Parkway Theater
474 24th St
Rialto Cinemas Elmwood
2966 College AveGroceries
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveNeed I say anything? Always a favorite.
Whole Foods Market
230 Bay PlPopular organic supermarket.
Independent local grocery store with lots of organic products. Nice alternative to a supermarket!
230 locals recommend
Farmer Joe's Marketplace
3501 MacArthur BlvdIndependent local grocery store with lots of organic products. Nice alternative to a supermarket!
WALKING DISTANCE! Sweet neighborhood market with a great selection. Their waterfront location in Brooklyn Basin is stunning, and worth a visit!
23 locals recommend
Rocky's Market
1440 Leimert BlvdWALKING DISTANCE! Sweet neighborhood market with a great selection. Their waterfront location in Brooklyn Basin is stunning, and worth a visit!
Awesome Farmer's market! Saturday mornings just down the hill beside Lake Merritt.
197 locals recommend
Grand Lake Farmers Market
746 Grand AveAwesome Farmer's market! Saturday mornings just down the hill beside Lake Merritt.
Sunday mornings just up the hill in the Montclair district.
36 locals recommend
Montclair Farmers' Market
Sunday mornings just up the hill in the Montclair district.
Nice supermarket (larger than Montclair's Safeway), just two exits down Hwy 13.
78 locals recommend
Safeway
2096 Mountain BlvdNice supermarket (larger than Montclair's Safeway), just two exits down Hwy 13.
Self care & Services
Femi Macus Nails
4195 Park BlvdThe neighborhood favorite for manicures & pedicures, waxing, etc.!
Mash Gas and Minimart
2240 Mountain BlvdOur cheapest local gas station
Two blocks from the house - Gas station owner is Babu, and Mechanic is Dave. While not the cheapest, they are trusted & liked by all in the neighborhood.
76
Two blocks from the house - Gas station owner is Babu, and Mechanic is Dave. While not the cheapest, they are trusted & liked by all in the neighborhood.
Pet Care
The closest pet store for all your pet's needs is just at the top of Park Blvd. They even have a weekly mobile preventative veterinary clinic.
Pet Food Express
2220 Mountain BoulevardThe closest pet store for all your pet's needs is just at the top of Park Blvd. They even have a weekly mobile preventative veterinary clinic.
Basic shopping & sundries
Need some basics, or just enjoy a good Target run (for hair products or gummibears or licorice, like me)? 😁 Two Alameda shopping districts have you covered! One at the end of Park Street (via Fruitvale or your navigation app), and the other on the other side of the Oakland-Alameda estuary through the Webster tube (with In-n-Out burgers, shakes & fries nearby)!
Target
Old Navy - with Curbside Pickup
2212-A S Shore Center