Grand Lake - Oakland, CA Area Guide

Oakland gained its name from the large parcel of land held by the Peralta family known as "Encincal," which translates into "oak grove." California gained statehood in 1850 and 4 years later, Oakland incorporated as a city. In the later part of the century, the coming of the transcontinental railroad made Oakland a hub for many West Coast connections.

The streetcar came to Grand Park at the turn of the century, bringing many new residents wanting a new start after fleeing the San Francisco Earthquake of 1904. In 1926, the historic Grand Lake Theater opened, putting the neighborhood on the map.

Grand Park contains a small art presence with a few galleries and design stores. The neighborhood doesn't contain any museums, but a large cluster resides on the opposite side of Lake Merritt, including the Oakland Museum of California, African American Museum and Museum of Children's Arts.

Residents enjoy an eclectic mix of independent restaurants and bars that caters to locals along Grand Avenue.

Cafe Romanat serves fine Ethopian Food to be shared in a group. Order a few of the vegetarian and meat plates between friends, including the delectable sega tibs of lean beef sautéed with fresh rosemary, onions, jalapeno peppers, fresh tomatoes and garlic.

The Star on Grand makes some of the best pizza in the East Bay. Try the pizzeria's signature Chicago deep-dish pie, and expect to be overwhelmed by its thickness. The Star on Grand also provides gluten free crusts.

Nightlife Ordinaire Wine Shop and Wine Bar attracts serious East Bay vinologists explore rare varietals. The tap room contains a changing selection of finely chosen California wines. Check its calendar for special events, including its pop up dinners with some of the area's best chefs.

Locals endear Smitty's Cocktails as the neighborhood's favorite dive bar. Relax with a game of pool or shuffleboard and enjoy your favorite drafts or mixed drinks for around $5. Smitty's accepts cash only.

Even with its rolling hills, Grand Lake maintains its pedestrian roots from over 100 years ago. Some blocks contain walkways cutting through the middle to better navigate the neighborhood. Traffic doesn't move at a high speed, aiding people to comfortably walk or bike to nearby stores. Cyclists enjoy a fair amount of dedicated and shared lanes. Metered parking spots line Grand Avenue, while the side streets have time restrictions on spaces.

Alameda County Transit serves the neighborhood with bus routes running along Grand Avenue and Santa Clara Avenue. The MacArthur and 19th Street BART stations are both within 2 miles, including lines to San Francisco and Oakland International Airport. Taxis do not frequent the neighborhood, but Uber, Lyft and other ride-share programs remain available. Cabs are most likely to be found near Splash Pad Park. Grand Avenue provides both on- and off-ramp access to Interstate 580.

Grand Lake contains a couple of parks within its small constraints, and residents have nearby access to many athletic activities.

Splash Pad Park sits at the entryway of Grand Lake, serving more as an open area for events. The Morcom Rose Garden provides a scenic getaway from urban life. An ideal place to stroll with your family or have your wedding, the park experiences full bloom between the months of May and October and should not be missed.

Residents looking for greater athletic opportunities can simply walk underneath Interstate 580 to reach Lake Merritt. A lagoon designated as the nation's first wildlife refuge in 1870, the green space around the water contains a boating center, 3-mile looping jogging trail, large chlidrens' playground and a variety of gardens. Pet owners frequent the Mosswood Small Dog Park, sitting a mile west of Grand Lake.

The Grand Lake Theater annually hosts the Oakland Underground Film Festival. This event takes place over multiple days featuring many of the East Bay's up and coming filmmakers.

The cost of living in Grand Lake is 7 percent less than the Oakland average. Rent in Grand Lake averages to $1,504 for a one-bedroom apartment. Residents expect to pay between $4 and $7 for a pint of beer at local pubs.

Take the AC Transit buses to downtown Oakland for $2 with your Clipper card. Riding BART from the MacArthur Station to Oakland City Center costs $1.80. Reaching San Francisco by BART costs $3.50. Compared to the national average, gas prices in Oakland cost about 23 percent higher. Expect to pay about 20 cents more at the two gas stations in Grand Lake.

Grand Avenue serves as the major shopping area in Grand Lake. The street contains a number of small businesses and boutiques instead of chain stores. Walden Pond Books remains a Grand Lake staple as a place residents like to unwind. A repeat winner by Oakland Magazine for the city's best bookstore, Walden Pond provides an encouraging environment to browse its vast selection of new and used titles. Go upstairs to view the vintage collection, with some books valued above $1,000.

Uhuru Furniture and Collectibles sells an assorted variety of used household items at reasonable prices. The store collects donated furniture and functions as an economic development project for the African People's Education and Defense Fund.

Grand Lake contains a Safeway supermarket, but many residents head to the nearby Trader Joe's on Lakeshore Avenue. The Grand Lake Farmers Market occurs at the Splash Pad Park every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing local produce, artists and food trucks.