Westlake - Oakland, CA

The land upon which Oakland Avenue-Harrison Street now sits was subdivided in 1905. The population grew in all of Oakland after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, which brought large numbers of refugees across the Bay. 1966 saw the completion of I-580, or the MacArthur Freeway, which connected the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge to the Altamont Pass and the Central Valley of California, bisecting the HarriOak community as it snakes along the base of the Oakland Hills.

Artists have taken up residence in Oakland for years, and the Oakland Art Murmur hopes to support these artists with monthly First Friday art walks and Saturday Strolls in which galleries open to the public for free exhibitions. These events border the HarriOak community, bringing visitors to the local restaurants and galleries on Broadway.

The bulk of HarriOak features residential streets lined with homes, but don’t let the laid-back atmosphere fool you. The Broadway Auto Row may not seem a likely place for diverse dining options, but a host of unique restaurants await you in between the car dealerships.

Heading into downtown on Broadway, you pass Mua, a gigantic renovated warehouse turned upscale restaurant and full-scale bar. Often busy, be prepared to make a reservation for the evening when you wish to dine here. Whether you plan just evening of appetizers and drinks or a full-course meal, the menu features delightful options such as cheese puffs, vegetable ragout and blackened catfish. The bone marrow plate steals the show with bold flavors and generous portions served with crusty bread.

Sushi lovers head to Judoku Sushi on Broadway for a quick lunch or dinner. With a bright and unpretentious ambiance, you'll feel right at home sitting at the sushi counter or at one of the café style tables. The well-stocked wall beside the sushi counter provides diners with wines and sake to complement the menu of over 50 rolls, including vegetarian options. If you crave something besides sushi, enjoy a huge bowl of ramen or a plate of gyoza from the appetizer menu.

Travel up Broadway towards nearby Temescal neighborhood and stop at Monster Pho. As the name suggests, enormous bowls of Pho soup abound on this menu. Monster Pho’s quality cuts of meat in flavorful broth with fresh vegetables and herbs satisfy even the hungriest visitors. When you feel adventurous, try the padan leaf coconut waffle with ice cream for dessert. Finish up with the Vietnamese coffee served hot or cold with condensed milk.

As for nightlife, bounce from club to club in Temescal, just a 2-mile drive north. You can also share a few cocktails with friends right in the HarriOak community at Z Café and Bar. Z Café and Bar serves American-style cuisine made from fresh locally sourced ingredients. The fully stocked bar features enticing cocktails and over 100 vodka selections.

Getting around the Oakland Avenue-Harrison Street community on foot and on bicycle proves convenient for residents. Designated bike lanes run along all of the main streets, and motorists accustomed to seeing cyclists both day and night use caution for a safer experience. Both side and main streets have wide clear sidewalks for pedestrians. If you have a car, expect to have trouble finding parking at peak times, especially along the main streets. Call Uber or hail a cab on weekends as a convenient alternative to driving.

Many residents of HarriOak use the strong public transportation in the Bay Area. “The Free B” shuttle bus that runs daytime routes Monday through Saturday connects each community along Broadway to the Amtrak station, Downtown Oakland, San Francisco and the Alameda Ferry. The AC Transit bus network has multiple lines running though the neighborhood. Within walking distance of most homes in the community, the MacArthur station of Bay the Bay Area Rapid Transit connects you to San Francisco, Downtown Oakland and Berkeley.

The Oakland Avenue-Harrison Street area thrives because of the parks dotting the neighborhood. Every few blocks, you'll find a standing of tall trees inviting you to enjoy the trails weaving through them. From long and narrow Oak Glen Park one block east of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center to Glen Echo Park off of Monte Vista Avenue, plenty of trails exist to walk on while you commune with nature. A hidden gem, Morcom Municipal Rose Garden draws lots of locals for trail walks and running stair workouts. The roses shine even with a lack of regular professional grooming, and people who have moved away from the area set aside time to visit the garden if they find themselves back in HarriOak for any reason.

Behind the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center sits Mosswood park, four acres of grass, basketball courts and play structures for children. Local schools and organizations host picnics in the park's vast fields, utilizing the access to the kitchen space. Parents bring their children to run off some energy during the day. Dance classes, a computer lab and an annual summer camp in the Recreation Center make this place an all-purpose community gathering spot. Parents of fur-babies allow their dogs to run off leash in the fenced dog park. A well-tended community garden here lets locals rent space to enjoy the long Bay Area growing season to raise vegetables and fruits in raised-bed garden plots.

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Oakland Avenue-Harrison Street area averages about $1,200 monthly, which beats the city average of $2,800. The convenient access to public transportation provides affordable travel costs at just $1.50 into Oakland City Center and $3.50 to San Francisco on Bay Area Rapid Transit. Gas prices ride about 12 percent higher than the national average, but still come in cheaper than other Oakland neighborhoods. A beer at a HarriOak pub costs about $4.

Trendy shoppers enjoy afternoons in Oakland Avenue-Harrison Street area, browsing through the racks in the specialty stores peppered throughout the neighborhood. Florists, boutiques, jewelry stores and home decor shops all have a presence. For an afternoon of browsing high-quality fashion, stop at McMullen Boutique, just east of Morcom Municipal Rose Garden on Grand Avenue. With an emphasis on confidence and sophistication, this shop imbues patrons with a sense of elegance thanks to its selection of designer clothing and shoes. McMullen stocks over 30 clothing designers and seven jewelry designers, ensuring customers find the right look.

If second-hand and vintage shopping excites you, try The Rare Bird on Piedmont Avenue. The mix of new and used items delight shoppers and inspire creative ways to display you new-to-you finds. No matter if you want to freshen up your wardrobe or decorate your apartment, you'll find something unique here. If the decor you discovered doesn't fit the bill, sign up for one of the DIY classes taught here by talented local artists.

When you need to stock your pantry, you have options. Budget-minded shoppers enjoy the bargains at Grocery Outlet on Broadway. Whole Foods serves residents at the corner of Bay Place and Vernon. On Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kaiser Hospital’s Farmers Market supplies fresh local produce and meats, rain or shine.