24 Hours in Oakland
About Oakland
I’ve lived in Oakland for 11 years and know it as a vibrant city with so much to offer. Locally known as the Town, Oakland can feel a little confusing to visitors or newcomers at first. It’s a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and rhythm. Just across the bay from San Francisco (the City), it holds onto its industrial roots in warehouses (like my own studio) and charming Craftsman homes that were once summer retreats for San Franciscans in the early 20th century.
Creativity is everywhere — in independent shops, cultural restaurants, murals, and music. As someone who loves design, art, and supporting small businesses, I find Oakland the perfect place to do all of that, a city that reveals more the closer you look. It also happens to sit just ten minutes from some of the most beautiful hikes in the Bay Area, letting you stay close to nature while fully enjoying life in the city.
I hope you enjoy this 24-hour itinerary as much as I’ve enjoyed making it!
7:00 AM – Redwood Regional Park
A hushed expanse of redwoods rising above Oakland’s hills, just a short drive from downtown. The air is cool and resin-scented, the light filtered through an ancient canopy. Trails wind through dense groves and reveal quiet, cinematic vistas. A restorative retreat from the city.
Redwood Regional Park
9:00 AM – Sequoia Diner
A modest corner diner reimagined for a design-conscious clientele. Mid-century lighting, vintage enamelware, and a restrained palette frame plates of buttery biscuits, crisp-edged eggs, and seasonal preserves. The open kitchen hums with quiet efficiency, reflecting the care in every dish.
Sequoia Diner
11:00 AM – Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)
A Brutalist landmark softened by lush terraces and sunken gardens. Inside, a deft curation of California’s art, design, and social history unfolds in bright, angular galleries. Thoughtfully staged exhibitions make this not just a museum, but a primer on the state’s creative and cultural pulse.
OMCA
1:00 PM – Doña
A modern Mexican restaurant with roots in family recipes and neighborhood spirit. Bright interiors, warm service, and standout dishes like carnitas tacos and tamales. The flavors are comforting but bold, with care in the details. They have a delicous queso!
Doña
3:00 PM – Chapel of the Chimes
After lunch, walk down Piedmont for some shopping until you reach the iconic Chapel of Chimes. Designed in part by Julia Morgan, this historic columbarium is a labyrinth of vaulted ceilings, stained glass, and Moorish tile. Soft light filters through interior courtyards, creating an atmosphere that is contemplative, architectural, and unexpectedly beautiful.
Chapel of the Chimes
5:30 PM – Ordinaire
A casual natural wine shop and bar, with communal tables and raw shelving that recall a Parisian cave à vin. Bottles are selected for their character and terroir, and staff pour with an informed casualness. The room glows golden in the late afternoon, alive with quiet conversation.
Ordinaire
6:30 PM – Lake Merritt
The lake is ringed by Art Deco buildings and crowned with a necklace of glowing lights at dusk. Joggers, picnickers, and drum circles animate the perimeter, yet the water maintains its reflective calm. At golden hour, you can see the reflection of pink skies, my favorite time to walk around the lake.
Lake Merritt
7:30 PM – Champa Garden
A modest Laotian dining room where the kitchen turns out bright, layered flavors with generosity. The sampler platter is so delicious— crisp, sour, herbaceous, and spicy. I have to order it everytime I come in!
Champa Garden
9:00 PM – Friends and Family
A beautiful queer-friendly bar located in Downtown Oakland. Romantic lighting and a menu of well-made cocktails and natural wines! They encourage meet cutes, and have a Missed Connections board where you can write a note to someone you might have missed saying hi to! Make sure to take a selfie in the bathroom! They are iconic!
Friends and Family
Enjoy! :)