Elmwood - Berkeley, CA Area Guide

Following the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, housing development boomed in what is now Elmwood. Many apartments in the neighborhood date back to the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Elmwood offers many historical walking tours. On these tours, you will learn about the history of this picturesque neighborhood from the mouths of local historians while viewing impressive 19th-century homes. One tour takes you by the house of Patty Hearst's infamous kidnapping

You won't find any museums in Elmwood, but you can view artwork at small neighborhood galleries located downtown.

As you walk down College Avenue, which serves as the neighborhood's main street, you will pass coffee shops, cafes, bakeries, pizza joints and restaurants featuring cuisine from around the globe.

For a killer bowl of ramen, served to you by friendly staff, drop into Mitama, located on College Avenue in Elmwood. Both a sushi and ramen restaurant, locals flock to Mitama primarily for the ramen. Residents praise the flavorful broth and additions like perfectly cooked eggs.

For a taste of traditional American, walk a few blocks down on College Avenue to Wood Tavern. This rustic-looking neighborhood restaurant draws people in with its locally-loved pork chop and perfectly crispy oven-roasted Brussels sprouts. Wood Tavern also features freshly made bread from its next door neighbor, La Farine Bakery, in several of its dishes.

Elmwood's nightlife is fairly active. Many restaurants stay open late so locals enjoy going out for a late night bite to eat or grabbing a pint of beer at neighborhood hot spot/hipster magnet, The Trappist Provisions. The Trappist Provisions serves always-rotating taps and bottles in a dimly-lit, itty-bitty space. The staff are chill and laid back and will let you do your own thing. It's a great spot to drop into after work, enjoy a microbrew, maybe some pickled veggies, and just unwind.

At night, locals also enjoy seeing foreign and independent films at the classic Elmwood Theater (Rialto Cinemas), located just up the road on College Avenue at the corner of Ashby Avenue.

You can walk the streets of Elmwood very easily. The residence streets and downtown area are both safe and scenic. Bicycling is also a popular mode of transportation. Certain Elmwood streets contain designated lanes and those that do not are still safe to bike on, but a little extra caution is prudent.

If you need a cab, call ahead for a reservation, since you will have a difficult time hailing one curbside - they're scarce. Uber does not service the Elmwood area.

Because many families reside in Elmwood, many people own cars, so parking can be tricky. You can park for free in some areas, but other areas have meters. Though California State Route 24 runs directly along Elmwood, making it easily accessible, your best option is to take BART into the neighborhood so that you do not have to look for parking.

Though not in Elmwood, itself, nearby Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley is a must for any park enthusiast. The park occupies over 2,000 acres with numerous hiking trails, picnic areas, botanical gardens and more. You can be both active and serene at this natural treasure.

Entrance to Tilden Regional Park is free in many areas, such as the Botanic Garden and Lake Anza, but a ride on the merry-go-round or steam train costs $2 and $3 dollars, respectively.

You can bring children to Tilden Regional Park, but dogs have limited access. While you can bring your furry friend to many areas, they are not allowed near Lake Anza as well as in other areas, so check online ahead of time to be sure.

The 40 miles of trails contained within Tilden Regional Park makes this park excellent for hikers and cyclists as well. The trails vary in terrain and elevation, thereby catering to any type of athlete.

The cost of living in Elmwood is higher than other nearby Oakland neighborhoods. The neighborhood has witnessed a drastic increase in rent in the last few years and current median rent for a one-bedroom residence is $2,500.

You can expect to spend approximately $2 to get from Oakland City Center to Rockridge on BART. Beer at a local pub in Elmwood costs between $6 and $10. Gas in Elmwood is about 12 percent more than the current national average.

Elmwood's major shopping area runs along College Avenue. On this one-mile stretch of road, you will find specialty food shops, one-of-a-kind clothing boutiques, trinkets for your home and a handful of salons.

Elements dresses Elmwood residents in the hippest trending clothes and accessories. The shop sells items not available in many retail stores, and the staff is incredibly helpful and accommodating.

Trader Joe's is the number one grocery store in the neighborhood. Synonymous with high quality and affordability, Trader Joe's central location directly off Rockridge BART on College Avenue makes it an ideal spot for locals and commuters alike.

You can find many farmers' markets in the area, but none in Elmwood specifically. The closest farmers' markets include the South Berkeley Farmers' Market on Tuesdays or the Sunday morning Temescal Farmers' Market and Berkeley Farmers' Market, located in Oakland and Berkeley, respectively.