 |
|
Oakland isn't a city of big-box stores or mega-malls. It's a network of communities
rich with old-fashioned neighborhood shopping districts, including antique shops,
chic boutiques, and ethnic treasure houses. Ethnic shops abound in Chinatown
and the Latin-flavored Fruitvale district, while College Avenue, Piedmont and
Grand Avenue are lined with chic boutiques. For more information on Oakland's
35 commercial districts, visit www.shopoakland.com. |
| |
|
|
Search shops: All locations
|
|
|
Chinatown
map it 
|
| More than its name suggests, this area is packed with pan-Asian culture. Visitors to the downtown neighborhood will find dozens of fascinating, eclectic stores that carry fresh, high-quality produce, live seafood, healing herbs, and a plethora of retail goods-everything from chopsticks and stress relievers to fine china and porcelain. You'll find some of these goods at Pacific Renaissance Plaza, which houses two stories of shops. The plaza also boasts a quiet courtyard-the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a cool drink. |
| Browse shops |
|
|
|
|
|
City Center
map it
|
| Glimpse a mix of 19th-century buildings standing proud alongside modern skyscrapers and elegant landscaping. Eye-catching buildings of note include Tribune Tower, the art deco financial center building, the federal building, the historic and recently restored City Hall, the Rotunda, and Frank H. Ogawa Plaza. The City Center pedestrian plaza boasts outdoor seating, restaurants, shops, and summer concerts. |
| Browse shops |
|
|
|
|
|
College Avenue/Rockridge District
map it
|
| Extending more than two miles from Oakland to Berkeley, College Avenue is a smorgasbord of specialty shops, restaurants, bars, and markets that carry nearly everything a shopper could desire. Gourmet foods, chic clothing, rare books, antiques, and professional services are all here in abundance. Favorite purveyors include Pendragon Fine Books; Maison d'Être; Loot; Soirée, an elegant women's clothing boutique; Christensen Heller jewelers; Full Swing, featuring full-figure fashions; Ildi & Co. gift store; Poppy Fabric; and the Thelma Harris Art Gallery. Let the kids run loose at Rockridge Kids, a popular toy store a few doors down from the BART station. Market Hall, a two-story building that houses a bakery as well as produce, fish, flower, and wine markets, draws visitors and locals alike. |
| Website: http://www.rockridgedistrict.com |
| Browse shops |
|
|
|
|
|
Fruitvale
map it
|
| The flavor of this expanding neighborhood is defined by its many Latino residents-as well as by several large, colorful murals. Fruitvale plays host to a number of festivals throughout the year, including the popular Dia de los Muertos and Cinco de Mayo celebrations, during which you'll find dozens of street vendors hawking their wares. Browse ethnic specialty stores, food shops, and clothing boutiques. When you get hungry, stop in at one of the area's many restaurants and taquerias, where you're likely to find the perfect enchilada. |
| Website: http://www.fruitvalemerchants.com |
| Browse shops |
|
|
|
|
|
Grand Avenue/Lakeshore Avenue
map it
|
| The classic Grand Lake Theater is the centerpiece of this established neighborhood near downtown and Lake Merritt. Popular with professionals and young families, the area has seen a blossoming of many new stores. Shoppers along the neighborhood's two busy main streets will find a host of consignment and antique stores, bookstores, and boutiques selling everything from fashion apparel and accessories to jewelry and trinkets. Joggers, strollers, visitors, and families all mix and meld at the area's many restaurants and cafés. Stop in at the popular Art Deco Collection.com, or, if you feel inspired to belt out a few verses, head to The Alley, a local institution since 1934. |
| Browse shops |
|
|
|
|
|
Jack London Square
map it
|
| The historic waterfront boasts dozens of stores, ranging from biggies Barnes and Noble, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Cost Plus World Market to the one-of-a-kind boutiques that make the area a top attraction for shoppers. Stop in at Timeout for Fun and Games, browse for knickknacks at Whales and Friends or peruse works of African American art at Samuel's Gallery. Cruise a few streets east and you'll run into the warehouse district, a nine-block area that's home to an old-fashioned wholesale produce market, a weekly farmers market, coffeehouses, restaurants, boutiques, and live-work lofts. |
| Website: http://www.jacklondonsquare.com |
| Browse shops |
|
|
|
|
|
Montclair Village
map it
|
| Stroll through this residential neighborhood's narrow, picturesque streets and you'll get an idea how this area earned its moniker. The locals are prone to sip coffee, whiling away their days on benches scattered along the main thoroughfare. You'll want to take full advantage of the great specialty shops, fine boutiques, and children's clothing and toy stores. Stop in at Montclair Toyhouse and Ps Home gallery, and shop for worldwide treasures at What the Traveler Saw. |
| Website: http://www.montclairvillage.com |
| Browse shops |
|
|
|
|
|
Old Oakland
map it
|
| Take a trip to the District which is revival of the historic 1870's downtown of Oakland. Carefully restored, it stands as a fine mainstreet of Victorian brick and glass, alive again with shops, restaurants, spas, and offices in a setting that evokes the era of the Railroad. Visit their new website for more information. |
| Website: http://www.oldoakland.org |
| Browse shops |
|
|
|
|
|
Piedmont Avenue
map it
|
| Like its longer counterpart, College Avenue, this busy neighborhood street in the northern part of Oakland draws scores of shoppers, both local and out-of-area. Particularly known for its vintage and antique shops, this small stretch of commercial buildings is also home to specialty boutiques, gourmet food stores, restaurants, cafés, and bars. For a bite to eat after window shopping, stop in at the ever-popular Piedmont Grocery, or treat the kids to a giant sundae at the old-fashioned Fenton's Creamery and Restaurant! |
| Browse shops |
|
|
|
|
|
Temescal
map it
|
| In the heart of Oakland's northern residential district, this growing shopping area boasts a number of classic, historic buildings. Genova's Delicatessen, a popular Italian deli, is one of the area's top draws. |
| Website: http://www.temescalmerchants.com |
| Browse shops |
|
|
|
We welcome your contribution of corrections or additions to the
information contained on this Web site. We appreciate you taking the time to let us know
about how we can improve it. The information contained on this site is subject to change.
While we do try to regularly update the information displayed here, errors will sometime occur.
If you have a suggestion, or find an error on this
site, please click here to let us know about them. Your concerns will be addressed
immediately.
|
|
