Oakland, CA | Marijuana Travel Guide

Source: Visit Oakland

The area along Oakland’s waterfront used to be an industrial stretch with little to offer tourists. Named for Oakland’s beloved author who used to call this stretch of town home, it is now the site of attractive clubs, restaurants, beer gardens and bowling alleys and is a wonderful place to spend an evening. A fair amount of industry remains – look for the cranes that remove containers from ships that inspired George Lucas to create his AT-ATs forThe Empire Strikes Back – but the addition of retail and entertainment draws tourists and locals in droves. Take a tour or a cruise on FDR’s yacht, check out the Sunday Farmers’ Market or enjoy the shopping and entertainment at Jack London Square.

Source: Planning.org

Uptown is one of Oakland’s hippest neighborhoods due to its healthy mix of galleries, pubs and nightlife. Check out a show in the beautiful ballroom at the Starline Social Club, a music  venue with a restaurant and a lovely bar that serves excellent cocktails or pop into Johansson Projects, a contemporary gallery that ranks amongst the best in the Bay Area. Other Uptown highlights include the restored Fox Theater for live music and The Hive, a gathering spot that includes coffee shops, excellent restaurants and co-working spaces. If the munchies are kicking in with the urge for something sweet, Uptown has dozens of spots for tasty treats like Donut Savant, Sweet Bar Bakery and Little Giant Ice Cream. Those in the mood for savory should grab a falafel from Liba and hit the Uptown streets.

Source: Trulia

Temescal is a fun neighborhood north of downtown that is packed with indie shops, dive bars and top-notch eateries. Be sure to head to the Temescal Alleys (see below) for great boutiques and make time for a beverage or two at the Kingfish Pub & Café, a timeless and special Oakland institution that somehow manages to keep things authentic even as everything around it changes. There is always something happening in this part of town like boardgames in the streets, holiday craft fairs and some incredibly talented and entertaining buskers. 

Source: Visit Oakland

Oakland’s Chinatown is a bustling 16-block district in downtown that was founded in the 1850s and is one of the oldest in the U.S. Today, it is a center of Asian culture for the entire East Bay as Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese and Filipinos have settled in the neighborhood and added their cultures and traditions. Unlike some of the other Chinatowns in the U.S., this is not simply a façade-filled neighborhood preserved for tourists. It’s a thriving part of Oakland with cultural centers, bakeries, residents practicing tai chi in the park, chatting with neighbors and purchasing ingredients to use for dinner. Keep an eye out for the plethora of dynamic murals that adorn buildings and walls in Chinatown. Most of the dragon murals are part of the 99 Dragons Project that started in 2015 with a goal to cover Chinatown’s public spaces with 99 of the colorful creatures. The Fortune Cookie Factory is also worth a visit. This family-run enterprise has been handcrafting fortune cookies since 1957. Take the factory tour and grab a bag of the delicious cookies to munch on later.

Source: Museum of California

This progressive museum opened in 1969 with a mission to bring together the often-isolated disciplines of art, history and the natural sciences. It now draws visitors from all over the Bay Area to enjoy the galleries that focus on what shapes the character and identity of California. A few hours in the museum is an eye-opening journey through multi-disciplinary displays that address the state’s dynamic landscapes, ethnography, customs and way of life. The photography, paintings, natural specimens and historical artifacts are enjoyable as well as educational.

Source: Cinema Treasures

The Grand Lake Theatre is an iconic movie house that sits prominently at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Lake Park Avenue not far from Lake Merritt. The restored 1926 gem features a working Wurlitzer organ that is played on weekends between films and ornate architecture inside and out. Everything from Hollywood blockbusters to underground indie pictures are shown in auditoriums with themes of design such as Egyptian and Moorish. It’s an impressive and well-run venue that is one of the best places in the country to see a film. Be sure to make note of the marquee; there are often witty sayings or topical messages that will elicit a chuckle or two.

Source: Visit Oakland

A cannabis-enhanced walk around Lake Merritt is a must for weed enthusiasts visiting Oakland. The lake is actually a large tidal lagoon and it is located right in the middle of the city. On weekends there is live music and a Farmers’ Market and there are often festivals centered around the lake such as the incredibly entertaining Northern California Dragon Boat Festival and the Autumn Lights Festival held at the adjacent Gardens of Lake Merritt. Visitors can take a gondola ride across the water or simply relax on one of the many benches that surround the lagoon. A visit to Lake Merritt at dusk is particularly gorgeous.

Source: Visit Oakland

This museum and library combo is technically part of the Oakland Public Library system and has fascinating exhibits that focus on local African Americans who played key roles in developing and shaping Oakland’s unique culture and history. There are interactive tools, videos and displays that provide background on issues like the post-World War II migration from the south to work the ports, Bobby Seale, Huey Newton and the rise of the Black Panther Party, and the influence of Bay Area hip-hop on popular music. The museum is housed in a beautiful building on the southern edge of Uptown and has rotating exhibits and excellent programs each Saturday. Check the website for details.

Source: Harborside

This dispensary is famous as a pioneer in the weed world and was awarded one of the first six medical cannabis licenses granted in country. It also made the first legal cannabis sale in California. The company has three locations in California and the store down on the Embarcadero in Oakland operates like a well-oiled machine. There are no budtenders here – only cannabis consultants. The space is clean and modern and the selection of products is extensive yet organized and easy to explore. Harborside also sells clones for those looking to grow at home. Address: 1840 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA

Source: Eco Cannabis

Eco is a classy and welcoming establishment conveniently situated on a bustling stretch of Telegraph just north of Uptown. The front of the store is all windows and it is obvious that a lot of thought went into creating the beautiful interior. You can go ahead and judge this book by its cover because the service here is impeccable and the cannabis is just as good. They take care to stock landrace strains like Durban Poison and full spectrum extracts from several local companies. CBD enthusiasts will be overjoyed by the selection of drink mixes and tinctures that provide relief. Address: 2435 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA

Source: Purple Heart Cannabis

Purple Heart is one of Oakland’s long operating medical dispensaries and is located in the Jack London Square district. It is known for its community outreach and family-like atmosphere and now offers recreational users access to its carefully selected strains and lab-tested products. Their selection of Big Pete’s Treats edibles from Santa Cruz and full-spectrum pure THC and CBD distillates from Humboldt County’s Arcturus are a major draw. Address: 415 4th St, Oakland, CA

Source: Cannabis on Fire Twitter

Cannabis on Fire is a respected and reliable delivery-only service that covers most of the East Bay, including Oakland. Deliveries are quick, discreet and usually arrive within an hour of ordering. Drivers are courteous and will meet customers at the location of their choice with top shelf weed, shatter, edibles from Oakland’s-own Gummi Cares and vapes from San Francisco’s Bloom Farms. Address: Delivery Only

Source: Temescal Alleys Facebook

These cute promenades are packed with a lovely array of independent businesses that include a vintage clothier (Mind’s Eye Vintage), an amazing jewelry shop (Esqueleto) and a hip California clothing store (Claflin, Thayer & Co.) Don’t miss Ali Golden for ethical, sustainable and inspired women’s clothing and Dopp City for high-end footwear hand-crafted in California. The lack of cars and the cute seating areas provide for a relaxed and unrushed shopping environment. If all of the shopping options start to wear you out, grab some coffee from The Cro Café.

Source: Oakland Supply Company Facebook

This small place in Jack London Square specializes in American-made products and local collections like Oakland Roots, clothing from community artists like 54Ghosts, regional brands like California Republic and nationally-known brands such as Carhartt, Levi’s and Obey. It’s the perfect spot to pick up an exclusive shirt or jacket that celebrates Oakland’s special identity.

Source: Maple Street Denim Vimeo Page

Locals in the know and denim nerds from across the country flock to Maple Street Denim for hip men’s and women’s clothing and the best jean selection in town. The store offers complimentary fitting and hemming on any denim purchase and also sells incredibly soft organic t-shirts. Founder Julie Harleman heads the nicest and wisest staff imaginable and curates her selection with an expert eye. Citizens of Humanity, Nudie Jeans, Pendleton and Naked and Famous are some of the top-quality brands in the racks at Maple Street.

Source: E14 Gallery

E 14 showcases established and upcoming visual artists with deep roots in Oakland and the Bay Area. Everything on display and for sale is hand-made in Oakland and embodies the spirit and consciousness of the city and its residents. Oakland’s history of rebelliousness, ingenuity, industry, freedom and hard work are all represented in the beautiful pieces at E 14. The downtown gallery exudes a positive vibe and is a great place to visit and engage with local history and issues represented in an appealing and thought-provoking manner.

Source: Vinyl Hub

Open Mind was established in San Francisco in 1994 and moved across the bay to open in the Rockridge neighborhood in 2017. Owner and veteran music curator Henry Wimmer oversees the substantial selection of vinyl records with a discerning eye and somehow manages to always stock rare and hard to find releases. The inventory is vast and patrons often spend hours sifting through the stacks or simply chatting about local releases, scarce lps or recent shows. Oakland and the Bay Area have a host of quality record stores and Open Mind is one of the best.

Source: Ramen Shop Facebook

Ramen Shop serves up high-end noodle dishes in the desirable Rockridge neighborhood at the base of the Oakland Hills. Prices here might be a bit more than you would expect for a bowl of soup but the quality of the broths and ingredients set Ramen Shop apart from the many other options scattered across Oakland and neighboring Berkeley. Three veterans of Alice Waters’ archetypal Chez Panisse started Ramen Shop and the attention to detail, artful style and focus on seasonal California produce testify to the owners’ outstanding training. Sashimi, dumplings, rice dishes and an ample selection of beer, wine and cider round out the menu.

Source: East Bay Express

Sleek, elegant and refined describe this polished spot that provides precisely crafted prix fixe menus developed with locally sourced ingredients and incredible technique. Commis has two Michelin Stars and it’s easy to see why. The small plates that emerge from the open kitchen such as caramelized onion financier with sour cream, white sturgeon caviar and slow poached egg yolk delight the senses and can awe even the most jaded diners. The service matches the flawless dishes and dinner becomes a sublime journey that should not have to end. Commis’ adjacent cocktail lounge (CDP Bar) focuses on varieties of brandy and sparkling wine and was named “One of the Best Bars in America” in 2019 by Esquire Magazine.

Source: East Bay Express

This food truck was a familiar presence for years at art openings and live music shows across Oakland and upgraded to a brick and mortar (almost) spot last year. The refurbished shipping container it now calls home is conveniently located on 40^th street in Temescal where the Tacos Oscar team turns out a variety of inventive and tasty dishes like vegan grilled broccoli tacos, plantain quesadillas and griddled panela cheese with dukkah and lime. The seating is outdoors on a lovely patio painted with bright colors and adorned with blooming cacti. Open Thursdays to Mondays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Source: Aburaya Oakland

Abura-ya (“Oil Shop” in Japanese) is a punk-rock influenced Japanese fried chicken joint that dazzles the taste buds with shio-koji marinated chicken and seasonally-inspired izakaya dishes. Choose between a dry rub or several different sauces for your crispy and delicious chicken. Fried tofu and cauliflower – as well as vegan “chicken” options – are also available. Everything is made in house and seating can be tight so be prepared to share a table. Service is rapid-fire as dishes quickly fly out of the kitchen.