The Oakland LGBTQ Community Center is struggling to meet the growing needs for services amidst a hostile government and funding cuts. They are asking the community to chip in to help keep them going,
Hiking in the Bay Area is incredible. Some favorites nearby are Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, Joaquin Miller Park, and Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. If you're looking for something flat/paved, a walk around Lake Merritt or the Montclair Railroad Trail are also great options--the foliage in Montclair is beautiful in the fall.
There are so many delicious places to eat around here! Burdell in Oakland was voted the best restaurant in the country by Food & Wine and has phenomenal soul food. Bombera is our favorite upscale Mexican restaurant, in an old firehouse. There is also great Ethiopian food, and the Sunday brunch at Wat Mongkolratanaram (a literal Thai temple) in Berkeley is a really fun experience.
For the quirkiest piano bar, go to The Alley near the Grand Lake theatre. For family friendly breweries, wineries, and distilleries, Alameda has lots of great options right on the water. For live music, we love The New Parish or The Fox. For queer nightlife, our favorite is Que Rico--things get started late but we don't think you'll be mad about it.
Oakland is home to Children's Fairyland--one of Walt Disney's inspirations for Disney Land! The Oakland Zoo has a gondola and some of the most spectacular views you'll find. And Tilden Park has a cute petting zoo and old stream train that runs through the redwoods.
The Bay is generally pretty safe, but break-ins do happen. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ANY VALUABLES VISIBLE IN YOUR CAR. And you know, keep your wits about you.