Welcome to my Swell Nest!
Sightseeing
WALKING DISTANCE! You are one block walk to beautiful and recently renovated Dimond Park, with Lion's public lap swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball hoops, community playground, and delightful walks along the creek. (If you bring your pup, be a conscientious dog owner. Leashes are required in Dimond Park, and please bring bags to pick up and dispose of your pup's poop.)
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Dimond park
3860 Hanly RdWALKING DISTANCE! You are one block walk to beautiful and recently renovated Dimond Park, with Lion's public lap swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball hoops, community playground, and delightful walks along the creek. (If you bring your pup, be a conscientious dog owner. Leashes are required in Dimond Park, and please bring bags to pick up and dispose of your pup's poop.)
Lake Merritt is 2.1 miles away and a nice walk or bike ride from the house. Saturday mornings are fun and bustling due to the Grand Lake Farmer's Market.
The popular 3.2 mile loop trail around Lake Merritt is a 45-60 minute walk on its own. Dogs must be kept on leash.
The Pergola at Lake Merritt
599 El EmbarcaderoLake Merritt is 2.1 miles away and a nice walk or bike ride from the house. Saturday mornings are fun and bustling due to the Grand Lake Farmer's Market.
The popular 3.2 mile loop trail around Lake Merritt is a 45-60 minute walk on its own. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Redwood Regional Park is extensive and beautiful, with many entrances. They are all worth a visit! This main entrance is perhaps the furthest away, through a Ranger's gate. They might ask for a parking fee on weekends, but this more-direct route into the redwood forest is worth it!
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Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood RoadRedwood Regional Park is extensive and beautiful, with many entrances. They are all worth a visit! This main entrance is perhaps the furthest away, through a Ranger's gate. They might ask for a parking fee on weekends, but this more-direct route into the redwood forest is worth it!
WALKING DISTANCE! The house is one block away from the fabulous Lion's public lap swimming pool in Dimond Park. Perfect for a morning walk and invigorating swim!
Fall 2021 Lap Swim
MTWF 11-2:30, M-W 6pm-8pm, Sat 11am-2:30pm
$6/adult (Seniors cost less) or $50 for 10 swims, $135 for 30 swims
http://www.oaklandca.gov/resources/learn-more-about-lions-pool-at-dimond-park
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Lions Pool at Dimond Park
3860 Hanly RdWALKING DISTANCE! The house is one block away from the fabulous Lion's public lap swimming pool in Dimond Park. Perfect for a morning walk and invigorating swim!
Fall 2021 Lap Swim
MTWF 11-2:30, M-W 6pm-8pm, Sat 11am-2:30pm
$6/adult (Seniors cost less) or $50 for 10 swims, $135 for 30 swims
http://www.oaklandca.gov/resources/learn-more-about-lions-pool-at-dimond-park
A lovely lake to walk around or have a picnic (or BBQ) on a pretty day. Quieter and less busy than Lake Merritt... just different... both delightful.
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Temescal Regional Recreation Area
6500 Broadway TerraceA lovely lake to walk around or have a picnic (or BBQ) on a pretty day. Quieter and less busy than Lake Merritt... just different... both delightful.
A favorite trailhead into the endless gorgeous options in Redwood Regional Park. I use the AllTrails app on my phone to plan my hike based on the distance and effort that I feel up to. (Note, you'll likely lose cell phone reception on many of these trails.) Great for off-leash dogs!
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Skyline Gate Staging Area
8490 Skyline BlvdA favorite trailhead into the endless gorgeous options in Redwood Regional Park. I use the AllTrails app on my phone to plan my hike based on the distance and effort that I feel up to. (Note, you'll likely lose cell phone reception on many of these trails.) Great for off-leash dogs!
Another favorite and popular trailhead... once you've passed the initial field of serpentine rock geology, you can let your pup off leash! (Always lock your car and don't leave anything in it!)
Richard C. Trudeau Conference Center
11500 Skyline BlvdAnother favorite and popular trailhead... once you've passed the initial field of serpentine rock geology, you can let your pup off leash! (Always lock your car and don't leave anything in it!)
Food scene
WALKING DISTANCE! Fabulous Brazilian food and taproom is just a few blocks from your front door!
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Paulista Brazilian Kitchen and Taproom
4239 Park BlvdWALKING DISTANCE! Fabulous Brazilian food and taproom is just a few blocks from your front door!
WALKING DISTANCE! This fabulous local market has a great selection, and on Monday evening hosts the Roli Roti gourmet rotisserie food truck.
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Rocky's Market
1440 Leimert BlvdWALKING DISTANCE! This fabulous local market has a great selection, and on Monday evening hosts the Roli Roti gourmet rotisserie food truck.
WALKING DISTANCE! Beautiful new hot spot in a former firehouse nearby in the Dimond district with delicious Mexican food by a popular local chef. Try the smoked trout tostada!
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Bombera
3459 Champion StreetWALKING DISTANCE! Beautiful new hot spot in a former firehouse nearby in the Dimond district with delicious Mexican food by a popular local chef. Try the smoked trout tostada!
A short drive into a hidden neighborhood brings you to my family's very favorite little restaurant - a hidden gem for Thai - Vietnamese - Laotian food.
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Vientian Cafe
3801 Allendale AveA short drive into a hidden neighborhood brings you to my family's very favorite little restaurant - a hidden gem for Thai - Vietnamese - Laotian food.
I haven't been here (my family loves Vientian too much!) but they are known for excellent Thai food in the neighboring Montclair district (perhaps more upscale than Vientian).
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Daughter Thai Kitchen
6118 Medau PlI haven't been here (my family loves Vientian too much!) but they are known for excellent Thai food in the neighboring Montclair district (perhaps more upscale than Vientian).
WALKING DISTANCE! Excellent fresh bread and pastries next door to Peet's coffee. It's a nice morning walk through Dimond Park, past the public library and Farmer Joe's grocery store. (Always lock your car and don't leave anything visible in it... this corner unfortunately seems to be a target for occasional "smash and grabs," but the local businesses are well worth your time and alertness!!)
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La Farine
3411 Fruitvale AveWALKING DISTANCE! Excellent fresh bread and pastries next door to Peet's coffee. It's a nice morning walk through Dimond Park, past the public library and Farmer Joe's grocery store. (Always lock your car and don't leave anything visible in it... this corner unfortunately seems to be a target for occasional "smash and grabs," but the local businesses are well worth your time and alertness!!)
Lake Merritt's most excellent vegetarian pizza and bakery cooperative - one pizza recipe made daily, and it's always exceptional!
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Arizmendi Bakery
3265 Lakeshore AveLake Merritt's most excellent vegetarian pizza and bakery cooperative - one pizza recipe made daily, and it's always exceptional!
Venues
Fabulous historic theater in the heart of Oakland's Uptown district.
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Paramount Theatre
2025 BroadwayFabulous historic theater in the heart of Oakland's Uptown district.
The Fox Theater is a fabulous and intimate venue to see headlining performers!
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Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph AveThe Fox Theater is a fabulous and intimate venue to see headlining performers!
Grand Lake Theater
3200 Grand AveThe favorite local movie house beside Lake Merritt!
Groceries
Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore AveNeed I say anything? Always a favorite.
Whole Foods Market
230 Bay PlPopular organic supermarket.
Independent local grocery store with lots of organic products. Nice alternative to a supermarket!
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Farmer Joe's Marketplace
3501 MacArthur BlvdIndependent local grocery store with lots of organic products. Nice alternative to a supermarket!
WALKING DISTANCE! Sweet neighborhood market with a great selection. Their waterfront location in Brooklyn Basin is stunning, and worth a visit!
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Rocky's Market
1440 Leimert BlvdWALKING DISTANCE! Sweet neighborhood market with a great selection. Their waterfront location in Brooklyn Basin is stunning, and worth a visit!
Awesome Farmer's market! Saturday mornings just down the hill beside Lake Merritt.
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Grand Lake Farmers Market
746 Grand AveAwesome Farmer's market! Saturday mornings just down the hill beside Lake Merritt.
Sunday mornings just up the hill in the Montclair district.
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Montclair Farmers' Market
Sunday mornings just up the hill in the Montclair district.
Nice supermarket (larger than Montclair's Safeway), just two exits down Hwy 13.
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Safeway
2096 Mountain BlvdNice supermarket (larger than Montclair's Safeway), just two exits down Hwy 13.
Pet Care
The closest pet store for all your pet's needs is just at the top of Park Blvd. They even have a weekly mobile preventative veterinary clinic.
Pet Food Express
2220 Mountain BoulevardThe closest pet store for all your pet's needs is just at the top of Park Blvd. They even have a weekly mobile preventative veterinary clinic.
Neighborhoods
Montclair
Glenview
Lakeshore
Dimond District
Popular, walkable business district full of restaurants and boutique shops. Next to a BART (bay area rapid transit) station.
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Rockridge
Popular, walkable business district full of restaurants and boutique shops. Next to a BART (bay area rapid transit) station.
Tipps für Reisende
Nicht verpassen
Words of advice re: Safety
We adore living in Oakland, but one of the facts that accompanies its vibrance and diversity is random crimes of opportunity & sometimes worse. Cars are stolen, purses/electronics can be grabbed from hands, and houses are occasionally broken into. Awareness helps to keep you safe.
Anywhere in the Bay Area, avoid leaving *anything* in your car or you may be a victim of "smash and grab."
We’re not fearful. We assume positive intent from all we encounter. But we do pay attention to our surroundings; lock our car door upon getting in/out, & we walk with awareness, eye contact, and a smile!