Ashlynn & Eric
Things To Do
Lake Merritt
We feel so fortunate to live within a few blocks of the lake, and we try to take advantage of it as often as possible. It's a little over 3 miles to walk around the whole lake, but it's worth it for views of the city sky line. We love to sit by the lake with friends and have picnics. At sunset, right when all of the lights turn on, is a particularly beautiful time to take a stroll and you'll be able to witness this special moment after witnessing us tie the knot!
Jack London Square
Jack London Square is very family friendly and home to several bars and restaurants. Plank has an arcade and bowling alley. On Saturday there’s a great farmer’s market.
Grand Lake Theatre
Built in 1926, the historic Grand Lake Theater has been designated as one of the top ten vintage theaters in the nation. Located in the lovely Grand/Lakeshore District, the surrounding neighborhood offers a tremendous variety of dining options. If you catch a movie here on a Friday or Saturday night in the main theater, come early for the organ player!
donut savant
This is a little bit out of the way, but they're the best donuts in Oakland. The "cron'ts" (croissant donut hybrids) are our favorite! Most of their donuts are bite size, so you're able to try many flavors.
The Gardens at Lake Merritt
Free to the public. The garden has a variety of flowers, plants, and a bonsai tree garden.
Sobo Ramen
We love the Tonkotsu Ramen with Mayu or the Country Ramen. Eric also loves the baked mussels.
Marufuku Ramen
Our other favorite ramen spot! This is located in the Temescal neighborhood, which is home to lots of great bars and restaurants.
Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant
Most times we order out, we order Ethiopian food. We recommend getting the veggie sampler, or meat sampler. For Ethiopian food, you don’t use utensils, you scoop up food with bread called injera.
![Cafe Van Kleef [quirky bar]](https://images.zola.com/b7c882f1-c57d-4b69-b603-f2d601edf52b?h=150)
Cafe Van Kleef [quirky bar]
This quirky bar is known for their massive Grey Hounds. It’s seated in the heart of down town and is in proximity to lots of bars and restaurants.
![Drake's Dealership [family friendly beer garden]](https://images.zola.com/3715a04a-523b-4623-b115-e1cb4d477f2d?h=150)
Drake's Dealership [family friendly beer garden]
A family friendly beer garden with delicious pizzas and burgers, fire pits, indoor or outdoor seating, and tons of local beer (and wine).
![Room 389 [cafe and cocktail lounge]](https://images.zola.com/f25eb547-35ae-46e2-8784-f929a1215d9b?h=150)
Room 389 [cafe and cocktail lounge]
If you’re looking for a great caffeinated beverage and/or a boozy brunch drink (Irish coffee with home made salted caramel whipped cream, kraken chai latte, Bloody Mary), look no further than Room 389, conveniently located right around the corner from our wedding venue.
![Grand Lake Kitchen [brunch]](https://images.zola.com/617c73bf-69d4-4ebf-81b2-e95fa64ad214?h=150)
Grand Lake Kitchen [brunch]
Make a reservation or prepare to wait. They’re normally very busy because the food is so delicious.
Home of Chicken & Waffles
Chicken. Waffles. Tasty sides. Bottomless mimosas for brunch on the weekend. Need we say more?
![Pho 84 [Vietnamese food]](https://images.zola.com/b3898b1b-66d0-489c-b516-c5f98a62bd11?h=150)
Pho 84 [Vietnamese food]
The rare beef pho is our go to!
![Shan Dong [Chinese food]](https://images.zola.com/18f6b82d-9dc2-46dc-8d9b-b920a0e93409?h=150)
Shan Dong [Chinese food]
We love the hand made noodles and the braised green beans. Make sure you specifically ask for the hand made noodles when ordering!
James and the Giant Cupcake
Mini cupcakes, so you can eat four or them and it’s only like you ate two! 😉
![Hopscotch [Japanese Southern fusion brunch]](https://images.zola.com/81026e8f-9586-464a-9b54-bebb2ba64fb3?h=150)
Hopscotch [Japanese Southern fusion brunch]
This is our absolute favorite brunch spot.
Trueburger
Best burgers in town, and they have a great portobello mushroom burger if you’re vegetarian! Their garlic fries and milk shakes are also fantastic.
The Exploratorium at Pier 17
One of our favorite date spots is this hands on museum. It’s great for kids and adults. If you’re here on a Thursday, they do an adults only night and serve cocktails. Our favorite walk in the city is from The Exploratorium, to North Beach for a cannoli (life is uncertain, eat dessert first), then to China Town for dim sum.
Mara's Italian Pastries
Holy cannoli are the cannolis here are good! If cannolis aren’t your favorite, they have an extensive selection of other pastries. Ashlynn loves the Nutella croissants. You really get a feeling that you could be in Europe while you’re in North Beach. There’s a gorgeous church in Washington Square park too.
Hang Ah Dim Sum Tea House
Built in 1920, Hang Ah prides itself on being the first dim sum restaurant in San Francisco. Our favorites are the soup dumplings, pork buns, and black bean sesame balls.
![Bourbon & Branch [speak easy bar]](https://images.zola.com/7e3a5a62-997f-4ec5-977b-ae408505d5eb?h=150)
Bourbon & Branch [speak easy bar]
Ashlynn’s favorite bar in San Francisco, built on an actual prohibition era speak easy. Outside, near the “Anti Saloon League” sign, there is always someone dressed in black. Give them the password, “books,” to gain entrance to the library room. Reservations must be made for the passwords/access to the other rooms and restaurant.
![Smuggler's Cove [bar]](https://images.zola.com/1885c5a3-f3c7-4514-a895-16f614ec78c4?h=150)
Smuggler's Cove [bar]
A bar boasting nautical-themed decor, exotic cocktails & over 700 types of rum. We like to drink the fishbowls.
Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
In the basement of the Fairmont hotel resides the love child of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland and a bar. The ceiling rains, and they have good tiki drinks!
Fisherman’s Wharf Chowder and Crab Sidewalk Stands
Our favorite stands are the ones that serve you a beer or mini wine bottle with the chowder. Take your chowder and go sit BEHIND the Franciscan Crab Restaurant for a great view of Alcatraz.
![The Buena Vista Cafe [bar]](https://images.zola.com/3431f33d-be13-4025-8d9a-cfc4bb48b501?h=150)
The Buena Vista Cafe [bar]
Irish coffees made assembly line style.
Golden Gate Park
You could spend a week in this park. Our favorite things are: California Academy of Sciences (museum), Japanese Tea Garden, Conservatory of Flowers, and Strawberry Hill. There’s a Ferris wheel inside the park now too that we’re excited to ride for the first time!