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Oakland on a Budget: Art, Food, and Adventure

Affordable Oakland: Explore the city of diversity without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

Explore Oakland, a vibrant city in the heart of California, on a limited budget. Take a stroll down Lake Merritt and enjoy the beautiful scenery or visit the Oakland Museum of California for a cultural experience. Savor the local street food scene or pack a picnic and spend the day at one of the many free public parks.

Travel plan

• Check-in at Jack London Inn, a humble budget-friendly hotel with a great location.
• Visit the Oakland Museum of California, a cultural hub with immersive exhibits and events that showcase the state's art, history, and natural sciences.
• Walk around Lake Merritt and enjoy its scenic views, vibrant flora and fauna, and numerous attractions such as the Chinese Garden, the Bonsai Garden, and the Fairyland amusement park.
• Shop, dine, and people-watch in the Temescal neighborhood, where eclectic, independently-owned shops and eateries await.
• Catch a movie or concert at the Grand Lake Theater, a historic Art Deco venue that offers a unique cinema experience.

• Have breakfast at Brown Sugar Kitchen, a soulful and award-winning restaurant that specializes in comfort food with a twist.
• Visit the Old Oakland Farmers Market, a weekly open-air market where you can buy fresh produce, artisanal goods, and delicious bites from local vendors.
• Sample craft beer at Drake's Dealership, a scenic beer garden that offers a rotating list of cutting-edge beers, wood-fired pizzas, and other bites.
• Indulge in a vegan feast at Souley Vegan, a cozy restaurant that serves up flavorful and healthy soul food that caters to all dietary preferences.
• Splurge on cocktails and desserts at Hopscotch, a stylish bar and eatery that combines Japanese and American cuisine and offers a decadent dessert-tasting menu.

• Start the day at the Oakland Art Murmur, a monthly art walk that showcases up-and-coming and established artists and galleries in the city.
• Visit the Chabot Space and Science Center, a top-rated museum and observatory that offers interactive exhibits and planetarium shows for all ages.
• Take a walking tour at the African American Museum and Library at Oakland, a treasure trove of African American history and culture that hosts events, exhibitions, and workshops.
• End the day at the Fox Theater, an ornate and historic venue that hosts concerts, plays, and other performances.

• Take a morning hike at Redwood Regional Park, a scenic and tranquil park that boasts towering redwoods, panoramic views, and miles of hiking trails.
• Treat yourself to retail therapy at the Jack London Square, a bustling waterfront district that features charming boutiques, souvenir shops, and restaurants.
• Explore the USS Potomac, Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidential yacht, which is docked at the Jack London Square and offers tours.
• Have a picnic or stroll at the Joaquin Miller Park, a serene and picturesque park that offers stunning views of the bay and the hills.
• Toast to your Oakland adventure at Temescal Brewing, an innovative and sociable brewery that offers plenty of brews and bites in a convivial atmosphere.