​#OrganicallyOakland

By Chennel Wilson

While ‘quarantine’ may soon – if not already- become synonymous with “new way of life” for many of us stuck at home, what’s on your plate can help maintain some sort of normalcy during the chaos.  

As quoted by the Eater: “The Bay Area’s Most Dynamic Dining Scene isn’t in San Francisco”.  Oakland’s distinct culture isn’t only visible in our street art and diverse population but also in our exciting food scene.

I am Chennel Wilson, Sales Manager at Executive Inn & Suites, and I am so excited to offer my insight into local restaurants. It seems I’ve become to go-to person on food apps, so it’s natural I am the choice to make these recommendations.

Below I have listed some of my favorite local #RootedInOakland restaurants that are currently open for takeout or delivery. 

​Authentic Mexican culinary creations magically served via taco truck – for sure a local favorite. From burritos to tacos and tortas to tostadas, there is no delivery option but with it being a truck you can absolutely maintain your social distancing while ordering for take-out 😊 *veg*

By Kevin M. Thomas

​Oakland is a great city with many things to offer. When taking a night out on the town to hang with friends, everyone is going to want great food. These four downtown bars offer food and libation ranging from classic to unique.

​Known for the "Greyhound," Café Van Kleef was an art gallery that gently morphed into a watering hole. It was opened in 2004 by Peter Van Kleef, and it is home to overflowing charm. The signature drink is a simple potable of vodka or gin with fresh grapefruit juice. The food to order is classic, American bar food. The Angus Beef Burger is simply a hearty burger with mayo, lettuce, tomato, and onion. It goes perfectly with a tangy Greyhound.

Located in the downtown area, The Hatch could be considered a truly American dive bar. It's small and intimate, so you should be prepared to cozy up to your seat mate if you sit at the bar. The cuisine is new American, and the beer on tap is a rotating selection, but standard cocktail options are always available. Upbeat music flows through the bar to create a unique vibe.

The Mad Oak Bar ‘n’ Yard takes its name from its location between Madison and Oak in downtown Oakland. There are 40 beers on tap, including local and national names, and traditional cocktails are available as well. The food is unique as it features changing but delicious pop-up style offerings. You might want to call ahead to see what is on offer this week. Mad Oak features a backyard patio with a living wall. The fun and flavors are outstanding, but be sure to order a ride to go if you've been drinking. If you're taking an Uber or Lyft home, it's recommended that you should still buckle your seat belt when using a ride-share service.

For a complete night out in Oakland, include the historic Heinhold’s. Built from a whaling ship in 1883, the floor of the bar is a little crooked due to the 1906 earthquake. The name refers to the fact that it was often the first and last place for arriving and departing sailors to grab a drink. The most famous patron would probably have to be a youthful Jack London who visited regularly when he was an oyster worker in the area. The mouthwatering food includes tapas-style bites. While the drink selection is limited due to the small space of the bar, the ambiance is enormous

​The bar scene is truly great in downtown Oakland! Wherever you head for your date night or pub crawl, part of drinking responsibly is eating something tasty along the way. Enjoy your outing and be safe going home or back to your hotel room. 

The Lounge may not be in Downtown Oakland, but if you're staying with us or just stopping by, you can't get anymore convenient than this. Our fully stocked bar and our delicious dinner options make us a great choice anytime. See you there!

There are so many things to do in Oakland—whether it be doing something in nature or experiencing its diverse culture. Beauty surrounds Oakland, with its proximity to the San Francisco Bay. The stunning scenery attracts both visitors and people looking to move. Lake Merritt is a tidal lagoon that’s centrally located in the city. Oakland boasts urban park areas and miles of jogging trails along the shore. 

Culture also abounds in Oakland. The Oakland Zoo features historic native species, and Oakland Museum of California chronicles state art and history. Oakland continues to come into its own artistically. Joyce Gordon Gallery and the Johansson Projects barely scratch the surface of what Oakland has to offer its art community. ​

​Oakland has more affordable living costs than San Francisco. Oakland residents pay a median $1,800 monthly rent, while their neighbors across the Bay can pay $3,300 for the same type of apartment. Berkeley renters pay a whopping $3,770. Oakland is about 5 miles from Berkeley and 13 miles from San Francisco, and both places are easy to reach by public transit from Oakland. 

Oakland is an attractive destination—both for living and for visiting. Southern Californians move there for better infrastructure and more tolerable traffic conditions. Northern Californians seek cheaper housing, and young Midwesterners seek art, culture and better opportunities in a place where they can afford to live out West. No matter what your motivations are for coming to Oakland, you are sure to have a great time experiencing all it has to offer.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, began Wednesday, October 31 and will end November 3rd. Thousands of Oaklanders observe and honor this ancestral celebration of remembering loved ones who have passed. How? Keep reading on below: 

​(To be read in Dracula's voice) Dear Oakland visitors, whether you’re in town for business or pleasure, alone, or with family, it’s time to put on you’re scariest costume and enjoy all the Halloween treats and festivities that Oakland has to offer. And there are plenty!

The Bay Area has one of the best shopping scenes in the US. From top brands to mom & pop shops. Some shopping centers like Westfield Mall in San Francisco & Jack London Square are easily accessible by our shuttle and/or BART. 

Since the Holiday season is approaching, it's a good idea to get the shopping done before the rush. At the end of this article, we will have a special deal waiting for you. 

2.0 miles from Executive Inn & Suites

Written by Kevin M. Thomas, @ReelKev

There's a lot to discover for Oakland Pride, thanks to the great content provided by Visit Oakland for the Sept. 9 parade (Visit Oakland's Website)  and the Pride website itself - www.oaklandpride.org.

Run by Kin Folkz, Spectrum isn't just a source of information but events put together by Kin and isn't just during Pride week but throughout the year.
 
For Pride week, Kin mixes in musical events, movie screens, drag shows and comedy - all culminating the day of the Sept. 9 parade.

​Hop aboard at Jack London Square and go on a three hour bay cruise that may not include a trip to "Gilligan's Island" but will likely have a few gingers and maybe a Mary Ann.

Image Source

Being a city on the Bay, we love piers! While technically in Alameda, this restaurant is worth a mention due to its location, proximity to Oakland, and of course its steak! You will find a more casual dining experience here nestled in the Marina with a view of the Bay Bridge! Definitely order the classic steak, baked potato, and roasted asparagus, but really, you can’t go wrong here! And, if you’re completely stuffed after your steak dinner, take a stroll along the marina to walk it off! Or, sit on a bench and watch the boats bobble up and down in the marina! 

Pier 29 Waterfront Restaurant
510-865-5088
www.pier29alameda.com

​Are you a Vegan visiting Oakland? Yes? Great! Oakland has been named by VegNews as the most Vegan friendly city in the Bay Area! Below we will take you through a couple of the best places to fill up your vegan belly for each mealtime of the day! 

This is an ALL vegan coffee shop! So get your latte with soy or almond milk, bite down on some delish breakfast pastries, and also treat yourself to some decadent chocolate because you can find all that here! Why not try a mocha at this location? 

​Visiting the Bay and didn’t rent a car? It’s really no problem. The public transit in Oakland will get you where you need to go! You can pretty much reach any destination in the Bay by taking one or more of the various modes of transport listed below! By bus, by train, by boat, by shuttle, which will be your favorite?! 

​When it comes to our shuttle service, we can get you where you need to go! Our drivers are incredibly friendly and very familiar with Oakland’s roads! Take the shuttle between the hours of 6:00AM to 11:30PM to the major transport hubs such as the Oakland International Airport (top of the hour), Lake Merritt BART station, and Jack London Square & Ferry (bottom of the hour).  Stop by the front desk to learn even more about our shuttle service! Read on below to learn a ton more about Oakland’s public transit options!

If you’ve been outside in Oakland lately, you know things are heating up. Memorial day has come and gone, and so has the chilly spring weather with it. Now it’s time to take a breath and chill in the summer season, aka Ice Cream season. Let’s talk about the best 10 places you can hit up for a summer cool down: 

We have to start with this Oakland landmark on Piedmont Avenue. It’s a family owned retro soda fountain style restaurant. It genuinely is world famous, as it’s been featured on the Food Network, the Travel Channel, and the History Channel! Have you seen the Pixar movie Up? Carl and Russell couldn’t pass up a summer treat at Fentons! Get one of their house made signature sundaes! Try the Black and Tan sundae. Melvin Fenton himself invented the toasted almond flavor in this delightful dish! 

Oakland has a rich history that spans thousands of years into the past! And whether you are an advanced historian or prefer a more “just browsing” approach to history, Oakland’s museums are for you. You can really get to know Oakland through and through by stopping by one or more of it’s many museums! This post will introduce you to three of the top rated museums Oakland has to offer. 

It’s here where you will find Oakland situated in the context of California. Oakland museum is not only where you go to learn about the fascinating past, art, and science around Oakland and California, but it is where it is celebrated! Come peruse galleries of art, history, and natural science. Become acquainted with the Indigenous peoples of the Bay Area, past and current artists, and learn about California’s diverse ecosystems! 
 
This museum also serves as a place for the community of Oakland to play and learn together. The museum hosts Friday Nights @ OMCA every week. This is a fantastic Friday night experience for locals and visitors alike: Off the Grid, a gathering of some of the Bay Areas finest food trucks, sets up right outside the museum’s doors. Get discounts on the above-mentioned galleries, and best yet, view them after hours! Shop at the OMCA marketplace featuring local art and handcrafts. And this is all set to the music of local musicians and DJs! Take yourself, bring your family, and have a blast any day of the week, but especially Friday nights! Check out their website for even more information! 

Learn more here: museumca.org

Looking over the landscape of professional sports teams in Oakland, you’ll see the backs of the Golden State Warriors and the Raiders far off in the distance, scurrying away to half as worthy cities (sorry San Francisco and Las Vegas ;p)! But you will also see the A’s standing large and proud of representing Oakland. Look closer and you will see the A’s robust, deep, deep roots in this city! Even though they are in need of a shiny new stadium fit for them, it will unquestionably be built here in Oakland territory!  

The A’s have been in Oakland since 1968. If you do the math, that’s 50 beautiful years to grow strong roots. The A’s have had their ups (World Series wins 1972 and 1989!) and downs (1979!) in Oakland, and the fans have always come out and cheered their team on. The fans have always been there for the A’s and you bet that the A’s will be there for their fans! 

And right now, the A’s are sending out love notes to their fans and the city of Oakland, to assure us all of their deep commitment. Have you gotten one? 

​Summer in Oakland is right around the corner, 34 days to be exact, but who is counting? One thing about summer in Oakland is that the weather is perfect for outdoor activities. It’s warm, but not too hot. And what’s a better outdoor activity than visiting one of Oakland’s many Farmers' Markets, or perhaps all of them? Today, we will talk about three great places to get your fresh produce, and some lunch of course, during the weekend! 

Jack London Square is a dynamic and special historical place on the Oakland estuary within the Port of Oakland. How to explain it? Well, it’s here that you can get an up close experience with the maritime, agricultural, fine dining, transit, commercial, and literary side of Oak Town. It’s a place of industry and leisure. It’s named after Oakland’s very own author, you guessed it, Jack London, who spent much of his boyhood at this water front. There’s always something going on, so no matter what time of year you visit, there’s something in Jack London Square for you! 

Whether you’re an Oakland native or a guest here to explore the city, there are just some things you might not know about Oakland. Today, we are going to talk about 10 fun facts about the beautiful, diverse, and buzzing city by the Bay.

1. Diversity

If you take a walk around the large sprawling city, we are talking about 54 square miles, you will notice that Oakland is diverse and we are proud of it. Did you know that it is the most diverse city in the US when measured by social, ethno-racial, economic, and household factors? This is pretty amazing right?

Oakland's first annual Art Month, sponsored by Visit Oakland, will encourage locals and visitors alike to explore all sorts of Art created by Oakland Artists. Many artists and art organizations will be featured by Visit Oakland in their marketing efforts.