Downtown Oakland Guide: Chill and Classic Experiences

Dream Farm Commons is a small, artist run exhibition and project space in Downtown Oakland committed to an ongoing engagement with the beauty of the visual medium.

Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu of HYBYCOZO use inorganic materials to reflect the natural world. Their 2019 piece “The Earth Laughs in Flowers” uses shapes cut into the tall floral sculptures to create kaleidoscopes of light patterned across the floor that unite geometric and natural motifs.

Boutique

Botanical Garden

Mua is an industrial-chic spot in Oakland, serving up eclectic small plates and cocktails with a side of DJ-spun tunes. It’s the perfect place to enjoy modern American dishes in a cool, laid-back setting. Whether you’re out with friends or on a date, the vibe here is always lively and fun!

Mūv Massage LLC is an affordable massage service tailored to each individual client.

Art

Lake Merritt in Oakland, California is one of the most unique urban spaces in the United States. Its three mile shoreline in the center of an exceptionally diverse city is a special place where nature and nurture migrates and mingles daily. This tidal lagoon is home to the United States’ oldest designated wildlife refuge dating from 1870. In 2020, we celebrate its 150th anniversary. Lake Merrit is a “tidal lagoon is named after Dr. Samuel Merritt, a medical doctor who came west for the gold rush.” (Lake Merritt Institute) The lake is 3.5 miles around in circumference and 10 feet deep. So you can walk around it in about an hour. It’s also very close to BART, at the Lake Merritt Bart station, or 20th Street station in Uptown.

Clothing Store

Bar & Grill

A full service day spa where clients feel unique and special. Come experience a “Well Being” lifestyle at NDS! Amenities.

Contemporary Catholic church with avant-garde architecture incorporating wood & glass.

Korean barbecue restaurant

Pure Barre in Oakland is the spot for a low-impact, high-energy workout that strengthens, tones, and improves flexibility. With expert instructors and four class formats, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner or a barre pro, you’ll leave feeling stronger and more energized.

The Gardens at Lake Merritt is a serene seven-acre collection of themed gardens located in the heart of Oakland, offering a peaceful retreat and vibrant community space. Maintained through a public-private partnership, the gardens serve as an educational and cultural resource, showcasing sustainable horticultural practices and seasonal plant displays.

Artifacts & interactive displays in a modern building focusing on state art, history & science.

Bar

Restaurant

Pure Barre in Oakland is the spot for a low-impact, high-energy workout that strengthens, tones, and improves flexibility. With expert instructors and four class formats, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner or a barre pro, you’ll leave feeling stronger and more energized.

The beautifully restored turn-of-the-century Arts Center, formerly known as the Alice Arts Center, is one of the area’s busiest performing arts facilities. Patrons can participate in a variety of arts programs or rent spaces for arts events and activities.

Live music venue

Mural

Oakland’s Paramount Theatre is one of the finest remaining examples of Art Deco design in the United States. Designed by renowned San Francisco architect Timothy L. Pflueger and completed in late 1931, it was one of the first Depression-era buildings to incorporate and integrate the work of numerous creative artists into its architecture and is particularly noteworthy for its successful orchestration of the various artistic disciplines into an original and harmonious whole.After its initial brief blaze of “movie palace” glory in the 1930’s, this remarkable auditorium suffered three decades of neglect and decline until its rescue by the Oakland Symphony, the City of Oakland and numerous private donors. The building was purchased by the Board of Directors of the Oakland Symphony Orchestra Association in 1972. A painstaking and authentic restoration was completed in 1973 and the theatre was entered in the National Register of Historic Places on August 14th of that year.In 1975 the City of Oakland, the present owner, assumed ownership from the Oakland Symphony Orchestra Association. The Paramount Theatre became a California Registered Historic Landmark in 1976, and on May 5, 1977, was declared a National Historic Landmark.Restored to its original splendor, meticulously maintained, and fully upgraded to modern technical standards, the Paramount now serves all the arts. The Paramount Theatre is the home of the Oakland East Bay Symphony and, as one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s premiere performing arts facilities, hosts a year-round schedule of popular music concerts, variety shows, and theatrical plays.

Watering hole with a patio offering greyhounds & other cocktails amid funky art & knickknacks.

Bar

Gay bar

Live music venue

Korean restaurant

Vibrant, contemporary restaurant offering Peruvian cuisine & craft cocktails, plus outdoor seating.

Swan’s Market is a registered historical building built in 1917, and today is a popular community gathering place in Old Oakland. The vibe of Swan’s Market is casual, fresh, and affordable with dining options, gaming, and salon retail storefronts. The market indoor and outdoor market is and popular gather place for lunch. And a destination for new and creative restaurants and community events.

Cocktail bar