this museum is so dense and packed with displays, we could've spent an entire week exploring it! awesome, awesome museum, with an amazing courtyard for picnics!

awesome Friday nights until October. food trucks. live singing and dancing. so much fun. Parking is a little hard to find. The garage gets full quickly, but you might be able to find street parking a block or so away.

Loved the layout—weaving through the cultural history of California on the second floor, natural history on the first floor, and diverse art on the third floor. Enjoyed it more than MoMa. Definitely worth the trip to Oakland from SF! Note that they officially closed their doors at 4:45, not 5.

They had a fantastic display of their history of Black migration to Oakland. Clean and very nice exhibits all around that were informative. Definitely go back and check out when they have different stuff happening

I lived in Oakland in the 70s and went to Laney College and it was so wonderful to go back to Laney and then go to OCMA. The current exhibition is stellar. Blacks Spaces: Reclaim & Remain. The other exhibitions and the permanent collection is also amazing.

If you’ve ever craved a crash course in California’s land wrangling told with more drama than a wildfire in a windstorm..... step right into OMCA. Marvel at dioramas where pioneers politely “settle” land, while California’s original residents are busy surviving both history and the latest exhibit revamp. And don’t miss the immersive maps they prove that, despite freeway grids and Instagram, it’s still Mother Nature’s world. Ever wonder how a gold rush, lots of treaties (read: broken promises), and a high-speed train of settlers instantly turned lush Native landscapes into “real estate opportunities?" OMCA’s exhibits spill the beans and the gold dust.

The kids loved it! There were many interesting and interactive exhibits on design, homes, meals, trains, travel, animals, and so much more. These exhibits kept the 3yr and 1yr old very busy! And all the children seemed to play very well with one another. We had lunch outside on the picnic tables, as the kids ran around between bites, then meandered around the grounds and went through the museum. We enjoyed it very much. It was great for the kids to play, learn and interact with different cultures and characters! Thanks! I enjoyed the afternoon at the museum with the kids. We took two buses from Alameda, and on the way home, we rode one bus plus BART, so we didn’t have to hassle with a car & parking, etc! It was a breeze & very enjoyable!

It's always nice to walk around the park and enjoy the outdoor space. I enjoy all of the culture. The lake is near so many restaurants. Lake Merritt is a good place to get some activity or take a date. 😍💯

The five stars is because the lake is photogenic. The surrounding buildings and condos make the pictures fantastic. The park felt safe. We went on a weekday morning. There were several people jogging and walking for exercise. Parking was 3 dollars. Make sure to keep any valuables out of sight and lock your car doors.

Beautiful especially if you can catch the sunset

Lovely place, great for picnics or workout! Parking is easy and sufficient. Enjoy the sun, shop, kayak in the lake or run, skate or bike around the lake. There is something for everyone. You can bring your blanket and lie on the grass or sit in the benches. On weekends you might get to enjoy the local drummers and watch people dance away to glory. Oh and I forget it’s great for dogs and your canine friend will thank you for the walk .

Whether you walk during the morning or evening time, the lake is always a great place to exercise or just sit on a bench and reflect. The lake is really my favorite part of Oakland. The sunsets here are truly magical. Best sunset i've experienced so far has been in the month of June...beautiful pink skies. On weekends when it's sunny outside, there are lots of people and families around the lake playing games or having a barbecue or simply running around. It's a beautiful vibe to live nearby.

The lake was already pretty good to enjoy before the soon to be competed major renovations (see pics). As of Dec 2018, the walking and jogging double paths are mostly complete, much of the landscaping has gone in & we're so excited to enjoy Lake Merritt in the spring!

I am drawn to the water no matter where I have lived. The lake and surrounding free use areas adjacent to the lake are wonderful, exciting, informative and down right essential to my "Ness". I meditate often at the Bandstand, walk leisurely thru the botanical gardens, ride my bike pleasantly along the sidewalk on the lakeshore and so much more. I love Oakland so much.

If you’re looking for a magical, educational, and family-friendly way to spend an evening in the Bay Area, Chabot Space & Science Center’s First Friday Nights are an absolute must. Held on the first Friday of each month from 6–10 PM, these themed nights transform the Oakland hills into a vibrant celebration of science, creativity, and community.  Each month brings a fresh theme—from “A Galaxy (Not So) Far Away” to “Pride” and “Spooky Science”—offering a unique blend of hands-on activities, live music, and engaging presentations. The center comes alive with interactive exhibits, DJ dance parties, and opportunities to explore the cosmos through telescope viewings and planetarium shows.  Admission is accessible, priced at $10 for adults, $5 for kids and seniors, and free for members. Whether you’re crafting cosmic art, dancing under the stars, or delving into the wonders of the universe, First Friday Nights at Chabot offer an unforgettable experience for explorers of all ages.  Located at 10000 Skyline Blvd in Oakland, the center’s setting amidst the redwoods adds to the enchanting atmosphere. It’s a perfect evening outing for families, friends, or anyone with a curiosity about the cosmos. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this stellar event—mark your calendar for the next First Friday Night at Chabot Space & Science Center!  

I visited the Center twice while in transit in Oakland to a professional development course in Napa. First visit was during regular hours. I used my membership from the Maryland Science Center for admission and having it reciprocating was smooth. The staff was friendly and they made me aware of things going on at the center that were worth seeing. All planetarium shows were entertaining. All exhibits were clean and well kept. Food options in the cafe cover a wide range of quick preferences, I got a southwestern salad and coffee. As an avid coffee drinker (I am from PR), I gave compliments to the staff who brewed the coffee, it was really good. In my way back from the course, I got a ticket for the moderate sip and hike event at evening. Staging and check in was smooth, and the guides were very knowledgeable and attentive to the guests attending. The pace was comfortable and we got to see interesting wildlife. The wine and cheese served afterwards were also very good. I was concerned about getting back to my hotel in Oakland at the time that the event ended, however getting a Lyft was fast and easy. I highly recommend visiting and checking out these recurring Sip and Hike events.

I would like to commend the customer service representative for their excellent service. Today, I accompanied my daughter and grandson to the special "Bubble Day" event. My grandson thoroughly enjoys this occasion, as it marks his third visit, and he consistently finds immense joy in the activities offered. He particularly enjoys playing with the Legos, engaging with the interactive exhibits, and observing the spacecraft. We look forward to returning for future visits.

Exhibits are sponsored by the NASA Ames Research Center. The garage and parking spaces accomodate guests. The show schedules hourly in the doom screen is very astouning. The cafeteria is not busy like many other museums. The family can explore the planet on a fine weather day. The gift store has so many to choose for the science and planetary feature. It is amust go place for family day trip.

I’m reviewing Chabot as a wedding reception venue space. If you want an unforgettable, unique experience for you and your guests, this is the perfect place for you! The event planning team at Chabot is super professional and caring. You can utilize the planetarium for ceremonies for your guests and still have all the traditional aspects of a reception in the main museum or in the halls they offer. If you book on certain days, your guests can also partake in the free telescope viewing. It was an incredible venue and the best part is your venue rentals are used to support science education and the museum’s main mission of inspiring the next generation! Definitely recommend for couples looking for a different type of venue and an unforgettable experience. Thank you Chabot for helping create a lifelong memory!

Outrageously expensive ($24.00 adults). A large pseudo scientific playground for hundreds of kids. Dont go there if you are an adult and are interested by Astronomy and Science. You don’t feel welcome at a place where kids are kings, whatever their behavior.

A space nerd like me can have a great time here. Learning about astronomy, being close to the stars through the telescope viewing or just from the naked eye. The center has multiple telescopes with different angles and settings. On Fridays and Saturdays, visitors can show up for their free viewings. It runs from 5:30-10:30 PM PST on both days. Many schools also plan their students field trip for the viewings. The science center has a lot more to offer within their campus itself. They also have clean restroom facilities and ample of free parking space with accessible parking access and wheelchair ramps. It’s also a very nice secluded drive far from the huddle bustle of the city. You can enjoy both the green nature and the beautiful sky. It’s a nominal hike depending on where you park. I went there for the aurora viewings which happened on May 10, 2024. But unfortunately we didn’t see it from this place. While driving to Berkeley at around 12 AM on May 12, we could see the glance of auroras. Good visit if you are space nerd.

Kimmy and I hiked here for time. We both impressed. Long paved trails with bathroom and water stations along path. Trail gently sloping and easy to walk. If you are more adventures, review map at trail head. Highly recommend. Kimmy gives 2 paws 🐾 up.

Love this place. Taken my mom and friends and everyone enjoyed. There are some bugs so bring spray and you can't get lost all the paths ends up leading you back out just remember if you go up come back down. Beautiful trees and birds and sometimes you can hear the creek running and it's so nice. There's lots of parking and the park stays open late and it's free after 5pm so it's nice in the summer to have 3hrs or hike or outside time before dark. I've met some really interesting people some from New York even a cat that's famous on Instagram. There's dogs and they are supposed to be in leashes but not always just be careful and keep an eye out. There's a ton of bathrooms. The air is so great I always feel 1000x better each time I go.

Beautiful redwood park. Wide paths. Saw bike riders there. Lots of bathrooms. Nature wonder land. Free parking during the week. Great place to get a nice hike in and de stress. Passed by a playground. Dogs on leashes! Passed by a picnic area.

Beautiful hiking trail with lots of large Red wood trees which makes it shady and cool in hot summer days. You may see some lady birds and squirrels. Horse riders, runners and hikers share the same trail.

Beautiful park and great place to go for a walk and enjoy the nice weather! Took a quick trip to Oakland and went here to see the trees and took a nice walk. Very nice and clean park to visit!

For being to close and easy to get to it’s great to enjoy some nice trails with pretty views. I didn’t plan well so just went out and back about 3 miles and it was nice. Probably a good idea to look at all the different trails and plan a route but even just wandering was nice.

Nice and shady with lots of trail options to spread out the crowds. Depending on the loop you choose, there could be significant elevation changes, so be prepared for numerous inclines and declines. The redwoods are 2nd and 3rd generation, so it's not the largest I've seen but still impressive and beautiful. Was hoping to see old growth in the section marked "old growth" but I didn't notice anything larger than what we saw on the Stream/Mill/French loop. If I lived in the area, I'd be making this my go-to forest bathing destination!

Great casual Filipino spot! Stopped in for a quick lunch and was seated and served quickly. Ordered a plate of Tocina and Crispy Pork belly and it was just the right amount of food, not too large and not too small. Also incredibly tasty without being too heavy. Great way to get all the food groups in one go. Would come again!

The food was great, and the vibe was chill. I had the pork adobo and glass noodles as my main dishes, plus some spring rolls for appetizers. Their non-alcoholic drinks were also really refreshing. I’m definitely coming back to try more dishes!

Excellent Filipino food. I would say ‘tastes like home’ but in some ways it’s even better. The dishes are nicely balanced (meat + greens) and beautifully plated. Cocktails are superb.

We got milkfish, tocino and longaniza and veg lumpia. The lumpia was ok, but everything else was great. Also really enjoyed the rice. The best highlight though was the pandan cold brew.

FOB Kitchen has a warm and friendly atmosphere. The servers were nice and attentive, and the space itself felt very homey. I appreciate that it offers a different take on Filipino food, though I noticed a few things as a Filipino diner trying out the menu: 1. Salad with the silogs – The salad was far too vinegary, lacking the small touch of sweetness that usually balances out Filipino flavors. It was hard to finish and a bit overwhelming at the start of the meal. A hint of sweetness would give it more harmony against the savory and tangy elements of the proteins and dipping sauces. 2. Tortang talong – Perfect execution. The eggplant was grilled first, then turned into an omelet—authentic and flavorful. 3. Garlic fried rice – Solid and satisfying. 4. Bangus in the Bangsilog – Huge portion, tasty, and cooked well. My coworkers noted that it leaned toward a “healthier” version of Filipino food, without the strong MSG-forward flavors (like Magic Sarap) that many Filipinos are used to. 5. Bistek – This was a letdown. While the picanha cut was tender, the sauce didn’t resemble the traditional Bistek Tagalog profile—it seemed to lack soy sauce depth, and perhaps sweetness. It leaned more fusion-style, catering to an American palate rather than being true to the dish’s origins. Overall, FOB Kitchen offers a healthier, American-leaning take on Filipino food. Not quite for those seeking the full savory, garlicky, umami-with-sweetness flavor profile of true Filipino cuisine. Would I come back with my husband and mom? Honestly, no—there are other Filipino restaurants that capture the flavors we grew up enjoying.

For fantastic Filipino food in Oakland, you have to check out FOB Kitchen. They offer a great blend of traditional dishes and modern takes, all while staying true to the cuisine's roots. Whatever you do, don't leave without trying their Halo-Halo!

Good Filipino eats. Went with the Prix Fixe menu for 2 during Restaurant Week. My favorites were Fried Chicken and Pancit. I'll go back to try the brunch menu. Plenty of Vegan options.

The Double-Up was an amazing burger. I ordered it well done with garlic fries and a red stripe beer. I would have gave the atmosphere 5 stars but I had to wipe down my own table. Most of the tables looked like they hadn’t been wiped all day. Besides that…it was great!

Good burgers , meats a bit on the salty side but good I was able to get mine with just lettuce wrap and modifications to the sauce , fries were crunchy and cooked to perfection. Milkshakes are perfect

I zipped over to grab a True Deluxe burger with garlic fries from the door, and wow, it was absolutely amazing! I was totally hooked on its fresh taste and the crispy mushrooms with melted cheese inside. Plus, I didn’t feel that usual fast-food heaviness after eating this giant burger; I felt light and refreshed. I even added an extra patty to my True Deluxe burger, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who’s feeling peckish like I was, haha! So yummy!

Just tried this place for the first time and it was one of the best burgers I've had in years! I ordered the TrueBurger Deluxe with the ground beef patty and crispy portobello mushroom along with a side of garlic fries. More than enough for a hungry stomach and absolutely delicious! Just under $20....to me well worth it. If you're craving for a good hamburger and some hot fresh fries, I recommend TrueBurger!

The quintessential burger. A perfect unpretentious burger, the garlic fries are unbeatable and a perfect pickle to boot.

Great burger, crispy fries, would come back again if in the area.

My family has been going to Trueburger for years and it’s always delivered a great meal. Their mushroom burger is simply FIRE…a fried portabello shroom inside a cheeseburger is tasty as hell. Plus their garlic fries really pair well with the burgers. I’d you’re looking for one of (if not) the best burgers in the Bay (rip Val’s) then look no further than Trueburger.

Great food and very beautiful and peaceful setting outside (they also have indoor seating). Last time I was here, I tried the cold soba, which I didn’t like very much. But I wanted to give it another shot, and this time, I tried the hot “Kake Soba,” which is basically the plain soba without any meat or toppings. It was absolutely delicious. The broth was flavorful and rich. I also tried my friend’s Corn Cream Korokke, which was crispy, creamy and packed with flavor, and a piece of her duck from the Kamo Nanban duck Soba. The sashimi and tempura soba also looked delicious, so I definitely want to come back again to try more things

[Too Long Waiting] We arrived before 6 PM but weren’t able to place our order until 6:30. While the appetizers came out fairly quickly at 6:38, we had to wait another 40 minutes for the main dishes, which didn’t arrive until 7:16. [Food Quality] We ordered the Tamagoyaki, Kamo Misu Aburi, Ebi Ten Seiro, and Nishin Soba. The Tamagoyaki was mediocre — honestly, you can find better versions at many sushi spots in the Bay Area. The Kamo Misu Aburi was tasty but too salty on its own. It would’ve been much better if served with some rice or bread to balance it out. The Ebi Ten Seiro was also good, but the tempura portion was confusing. It came with 2 shrimp and 1 shishito pepper, even though the menu said “with 2 shrimp & shishito tempura,” which made us expect 2 shishito tempura as well. The Nishin Soba was unfortunately the weakest dish. The herring was overly sweet and had a strong fishy smell, which made the broth unpleasant. I ended up adding all the shichimi just to mask the off-putting flavor.

Soba Ichi serves delicious and authentic Japanese food. The duck appetizer was especially good — tender, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The interior has a traditional Japanese look, creating a calm and authentic atmosphere. Service was friendly and efficient too. It’s a little on the pricey side, but the quality makes it worth it. I arrived around 5 PM when they had just opened, and there was already a long line — a clear sign of how popular this place is. Definitely worth a visit if you enjoy real Japanese cuisine.

Was here for early dinner on a Saturday with a friend, the line for food was long but the food did not take long to arrive. Roadside parking is scarce so expect to walk a block or 2. As the name suggests this is a soba shop so expect most of the menu to comprise soba dishes (both hot and cold) and appetizers - just a single page. We had both the hot/soup soba and cold dipping soba and both are pretty good. The broth is not overly flavorful and the soba texture is good. The seared duck breast with meatball appetizer is really good too.

Food took quite some time to come for our table of 6 and despite this it was not very hot. Taste is a bit disappointing, the broth was extremely salty, it almost tasted like soya sauce was spilled. If you ever had soba in Japan you would be questioning some of these other reviews.

i recommend coming some minutes before they open to avoid a very long line! i arrived 5min beforehand and there was already several groups in front of me. i ordered the corn korokke and the hot ebi ten soba. there was a tiny fly fried on my tempura lol but they quickly replaced it with a fresh set. the soba was okay, but i honestly think i’m just not a fan of soba in general.

I’m so happy to have stumbled into this place. It was a delightful dinner. I highly recommend this place to people! The grilled duck and meatballs is a dish to not skip!!

I’ve been wanting to try this two Michelin star spot for a while, mostly held back because it’s a bit out of the way. Finally made it, and first impressions were great! the space is beautiful, and the interior design really stood out to me. Everything felt thoughtful and calming. The service was also very professional. All the staff were in suits and clearly well-trained, which made the experience feel polished. As for the food, it focuses more on flavor and texture rather than creativity or visual presentation. It’s not the kind of michelin meal that surprises you, but the dishes were solid. I especially appreciated their wine pairings—very well chosen. One suggestion: it would be nice to see more artistic thought in the plating, maybe with unique ceramics that elevate the experience and to include a small printed course list or QR code, so guests can better follow each dish’s components. All in all, in a region with limited fine dining options, this place is still worth visiting, but there’s definitely room to grow in both creativity and overall execution.

We liked the food and the overall vibe here. We went for the 10 course tasting menu. A few dishes were outstanding while others didn’t really land. The whole dinner ended up being about three hours with quite a bit of waiting between courses, which felt a little too long. This was our wedding dinner and even though I had called ahead to let them know, no one acknowledged it at all. For a two Michelin star place, that felt pretty surprising and a bit disappointing. Drinks-wise, the wine list was excellent but the cocktails were just okay. My only other gripe was with the substitution. Since I don’t eat red meat, they swapped the one meat dish for fish. The menu already leaned heavily toward seafood, so it would have been nice to get something different like chicken or duck. On the plus side, the price is very reasonable for a two star restaurant. That said, based on the overall experience, it felt more like a one star level than two.

Superlative. I cannot think when I’ve had a better time dining; staff was very friendly and engaging and informative. The food is simply amazing, and I personally absolutely love the bar dining experience. Came here with a good friend, cannot wait to come back and bring the wife.

What an experience. Definitely a bucket list item for a very special occasion. This was a 3+ hour gastronomical adventure. Each dish was perfectly prepared with flavors that just kept exploding. My favorite was the slow poached egg yolk (I don’t know how they do this). Service was attentive and although the tables were wood (not linen) I noticed that they surreptitiously wiped it down after each dish. The surprise was that there was a set of chopsticks at each place settings which were activated at around course 8 (the menu is 10 courses), when they bought a bowl of rice which was deliciously cooked and accompanied by a glass of bouillon to add some flavor as you devoured the rice. Overall a superb experience and well worth the ~$350 - $400 person price tab.

I went to Commis on my birthday. The food was amazing, creative and good mix of flavors. The atmosphere is very cozy and chill. Servers were all nice and they all wished me happy birthday. The chef come to the table for one of the dishes. One thing I wish had been better was the service: although the servers were kind, they rushed through explaining the dishes, which made the experience feel less refined compared to the level of attention I’ve received at other Michelin-starred restaurants.

We had the 4 course bar menu, combination of dishes was very inventive with mostly Asian influences. Personaly i didn't enjoy the wine pairing flavors were just a bit off. Overall a enjoyable dinning experience.

Simply put, Commis is a masterpiece. Had the privilege to indulge in their bar menu and was extremely happy with the experience. From the wonderful flavors created in the kitchen, the very kind and helpful staff down to the picture perfect plating and perfect execution of service. If you appreciate fine dining, you will love Commis.

Italian wedding soup, vegetarian pasta, and chocolate budino. Affordable and decent food, but portions were small - with all the amazing food in the Bay Area, this isn't somewhere I would make a priority to visit again, or necessarily recommend to a friend. Note that the menu is limited to a 3-course prix fixe, and while some dishes can be made vegetarian, there are not intentionally vegetarian dishes. The restaurant is relatively small; the interior was spacious and not too loud. Service was excellent.

Excellent set meals with an extensive and very tempting wine list. Service was spectacular. We sat outside which we enjoyed due to the cool fall air and low noise. Inside has a nice atmosphere but be ready to compete with everyone else’s conversations. Highly recommend reservations

MAMA Oakland was amazing!!! Every dish was so flavorful. They put very much detail on my request. I’m vegetarian so they were able to provide vegetarian options very quickly and it was my Fiancée’s birthday so they brought the dessert with a candle just the way I requested. Highly recommend!!

We were a party of 2 and had dinner as part of Resy Reservations. The menu is extremely limited given that is fixed. And being pure vegetarians, the options are essentially just 1 entree and 1 pasta. So, food is small portions but overall good value for $43. With taxes and everything $60 per person is slightly high, but okay. Wish there was minimum a pizza or more.

I get that they have tight table turnover scheduling, but the food doesn't warrant that kind of pressure. The pre-fixe menu was okay, some of the flavor combos were lackluster. And so salty! They swore the chicken was the most popular addition but I can't tell why. Plus, they knew it was a birthday but no one said or did anything towards it. We don't have to repeat the experience.

Have never had a miss even though the menu changes frequently. I have been coming here for five years with some regularity and truly always enjoy it. The wine list has some of the most thoughtful descriptions I’ve ever seen (and great options).

What an amazing evening filled with great service. Sarah was so lovely helping us choose the wine down to dessert. Thank you for the service and experience. This mom and dad are so happy and pleased