A tough but rewarding hike. This was the second date and first proposal spot. Great for dogs to get some off-leash time, to see some wildflowers, get a good workout in, and one of the best sunset views the entire time you are hiking up and down.
Our "first date" after five and a half years and a partial proposal site after five and a half years. One of the most beautiful cemeteries, and don't miss or skip Chapel of the Chimes.
This is where we got the covid drinks from on our true first date. They have excellent drinks for you to enjoy onsite now in their charming patio.
The bonsai garden is an absolute gem! Note the gardens do close by 4 pm.
An underrated and much-needed homage to our lovely home state and local history. Free on the first Sunday of each month!
You must get the hand-pulled sesame paste noodles.
A classic dive right on the waterfront next to literary history for Jack London buffs. There are many breweries, wine tasting opportunities, and lunch spots around. This would be a great stop before or after a ferry ride.
Take the ferry from Oakland to San Francisco for the cheapest and most charming Bay tour. You can get a Bloody Mary (or whatever floats your boat, haha) on board with views of Treasure Island, Alcatraz, Angel Island, and both SF and Oakland skylines.
Reinhardt Redwood is a haven in the East Bay. West Ridge, Tres Sendas, French, and a part of Stream trails are dog friendly - while all are lovely with dips into redwood groves and fern gulleys.
If you want to meet real, charming Oakland people, have a drink under the best and we guess to be the only redwood tree within Oakland city proper.
Okay, not Oakland, but we love a good mai tai and you need to go to its birthplace. The happy hour is a sleeper hit and we wouldn't be mad if you got us a tiki mug or glass as a wedding present.
Also not Oakland, but we couldn't leave it off of any East Bay food list.
Fun fact: probably 75% of our first dates in the early years of our relationship were at the movies. Not here though - at AMC, because Brady convinced Cat to get into AMC A-list. But now that we live in Adams Point, this is our theatre. They celebrated 100 years, and you can help them celebrate many more showings.
For the Saturday morning after, start your day off deliciously with coffee from Red Bay and a kouign amann from our favorite bakery, Starter. You can be like Cat and make your breakfast sampling all the fruits in season at different vendors.
If you don't want to trek across the Bay for dim sum, have it with a view on the Emeryville Marina.
Toast to John Waters at this true Oakland dive.
Brady and Kit's usual spot for a relaxing coffee and pastry on the back patio. They also have oyster happy hour if you are arriving on Thursday, and excellent new American dinner menu.