I enjoy seeing films at this theatre, and am so grateful it's still open, especially after all the…read moretheatres in Berkeley and Albany have closed.

One star for nice comfortable seating but I couldn't make out what people were saying on the…read moresoundtrack. AWFUL. Only suitable for movies with almost no dialog.

The Pardee Home Museum has been on my radar for a while as one of the few places in the East Bay to…read moreget afternoon tea. I ended up finally booking the garden for a large party this month and was impressed by the experience from start to finish. It's hard to believe that it's entirely volunteer-led! Everyone I met was clearly knowledgeable and passionate about the house, its history, and its preservation. Making a reservation was easy and the coordinators were kind and courteous during the whole process. The day-of place settings were beautiful and the food was some of the best I've had for tea in addition to being generous and variable in servings. There were even some kid-friendly items (including some non-caffeinated beverages) as I had a few young guests in attendance. The tour we had following our tea service was detailed and informative without being boring. The house itself is incredibly preserved and in immaculate condition. It was great learning about the history of the Pardee family and their influence in the Bay Area, California, and beyond. There were some interactive parts too including getting to touch some antique items and listen to some hand-cranked music players. I will undoubtedly be back sometime and highly encourage anyone who likes good food and vibes or learning about local history to book a visit themselves. If you have people from out-of-town visiting, the Pardee Home is an excellent first choice for doing something low-key and private but still touristy.

The Pardee Home Museum (Italianate architecture) was built by the Pardee family. Three generations…read morelived lived there from 1868 to 1981. The last survivor put the home in a trust that is run by a Board of Trustees. It's self-supporting and run by volunteers. The father (made money in the mines, was an eye doctor and a California State Senator) and his son was Governor of California who made the poppy flower CA's state flower; reformed prisons; and established the EBMUD. All furnishings and collections are original and left intact. The tour is about 1.5 hours. Tour was educational and interesting - it covers the entire residence of 3 floors. The tour guide was nice and knowledgeable. She kept the tour intense so you wanted to know more. She gave insights and tibits of the family. All questions were answered. The afternoon tea is delightful. The food is prepared from scratch with lots of love from the volunteers. They were friendly, personable and thoughtful. Since it was the day before Easter, they put some Easter bunny theme to the tea. Just lovely people who made a delcious three course of food assortment. I definitely recommend the tour to learn about Oakland history and to visit one of the last standing historical mansions. Tea was authentic - no crust on the bread :)

This wolf sculpture gets a lot of attention, but really it goes hand-in-hand with Jack London's…read moreCabin just steps away (see my separate review for that). The wolf and cabin together create an engaging scene for visitors to appreciate, commemorating the great author and some of his most famous literary works, ie. Call of the Wild and White Fang. The art and history displayed here is beautiful, especially with its waterfront setting. There's plenty of seating in the area for public use, as well as a lovely fountain flowing with water. There wasn't much foot traffic on a Saturday evening, and hardly anyone on site except for those dining at Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon situated adjacent to the cabin, so it was easy to pay a visit with minimal distractions.

beautiful. clean and fun. Had a fantastic time here. Restaurants, shops, views & photo ops.read more

this mural highlights a few Oaktown landmarks (Tribune Tower, bridge, skyline, downtown....) it…read moreillustrates how pencil, spray cans, paint brushes, and hand brush painting are useful in art. creator: Flax Art

This giant mural is the largest in Oakland. It's located on 19th street just a few blocks down…read morefrom Snow Park in downtown Oakland!! They did a great job showing the Oakland A's mascot Stomper carrying the Town on his back!! It's painted on the side of the PGE building, and it's so big, it's very hard to miss!! This mural has been here for a while, glad Yelp finally gave it its own listing!!

this mural can only be seen while driving up 19th St. it's on the 19th St. of the P, G & E…read more building. while it ovesees a parking lot, the cars don't detract form the view. Rise & Grind celebrates 50 years of the Oakland A's. some Oakland landmark minatures can be seen on the back of the A's mascot. "Holy Toleda" is posted at the left and "Oakland is Proud" is posted at the bottom. btw, i have never seen the A's mascot doing any heavy labor, just swinging a bat with his trunk. creator: illuminaries

I have heard of Lake Merritt but never understood what it was- a broad body of still water that…read moreoffers woodsy beauty and peace, amidst Oakland's modest city buzz and blurs. Like many lesser known experiences, which resides in big cites that do noy enjoy an established and fabulous reputation, they suffer from underdeveloped marketing. But, now I am one who will chant that Lake Merritt, is not just a good place to stop by, but a touristy spot. It certainly does not match the green, show, and institutions that reside withing San Francisco's Golden Gate Park but this park certainly offers much to classify it as a stop of interest, at some point in a Bay area vacation. The lake was expansive, however, its wooden and green motif was subdued but present. It was not a garden Nymph dancing and twirling in an elegant, sequenced dressed, it was more of a Nymph resting in a floral dress atop a moss colored trunk and twisted branch. The first nymph was appreciated in action and engagement, while the second nymph is admired for its hypnotic lay. Meaning that Lake Merrit inspired by the tranquil messages its nature told, not by the actions its nature inspired a stroller to take. To make my metaphor more specific in lived experience, I offer the first impulse I had when I approached the lake, which was to sit. For you see, my friend Denise and I had just attended the nearby Lake Merritt farmer's market where we scored the most scrumptious dim sum. And when we neared the lake, my impulse was to sit and take in the non-moving atmosphere of the lake. I was compelled to view the people around the park and not judge their purpose and movement, and to accept the pure stillness of the water, its land, its air, and to finally realize that on this morning my job was to sit and enjoy the view of the lake. This is viewing a nymph at rest. If I were to see the other nymph, I would run into fields of wild flowers so I may know their colors of the skin. After eating the dim sum, Denise and I took a walk. Serendipitously, we saw some ladies with three telescopes, a table, and pamphlets. Can I see through the telescopes I inquired? I was not sure what I would see, but seeing through the telescope should yield a new view of what was around me, I thought. One of the ladies positioned the telescope so I may view some pelicans at rest. And I saw through the telescope, I saw the birds up close. Like I could see them clearly, while I was not near them. I did not know that a telescope could eliminate the perception of distance in such a clear way. And then it happened I saw a pelican open its mouth to yawn, and my world view expanded because I saw a beak bloom. Like the beak did not open up wide, horizontally, it open into a three leaf flower. The top of beak went up, while the bottom of the beak opened wide to two points. I was left in wonder because I saw nature in a different way, I saw a bird, in brilliant and arresting motion, when they were not in flight, but still I saw something span fully, like a three point bloom. As we continued the walk, the sightseeing continued. I saw a small mote filled with pigeons. I stepped into it and approached the birds, imagining a flock in a flurry. But the birds remained still, and did not fly away at my coming presence. I wanted to run to spook them into action in flight, but unfortunately my own fear of drowning kept me from advancing into the plank with reckless abandon. My trip happened on a winter's day, when the air was crisp and the green on trees was minimal. But still the land was not barren, it was simply gathering its might for it to roar in gem, in the coming months. I did capture some trees in pictures that were all twigs and branches. They had become skeletons, but still their was beauty in their lifeless trunks. For the trees branches were gnarled and twisted as a prideful reminder that what is lost can be returned and thus even in lack of visible might something can hold quiet dignity. Plus the blue and white sky created a dynamic background for some of the unadorned trees. As one walked, one can also admire the surrounding buildings. My favorite building, as witnessed from the lake, was a cathedral that looked modern and made out of glass. It was the palace across the land, and blue. Due to all the distractions, Denise and I did not walked the whole loop which would have take at least an hour, especially since I tend to observe and engage, even while in a restful stroll but if I did not I might miss, waters that sparkle in still-life, birds that yawn like flora on parade, and buildings that are uncommon sight. So yeah this place is more than a stroll around the lake it is a mindfulness walk with lots to engage with, if you have the time and patience to embrace the softer side of wild nature.

A great place to run and walk during the early mornings. Lots of residents and visitors come out to…read morewalk run and bike in the morning. Not too crowded a nice cool breeze to keep you cool while exercising and enjoying the view of the lake. There are bathrooms located around the lake some at the lake Merritt library but beware they are very rough. Safety wise lots of people and nothing crazy.