Guide to Temescal

Things to Do in Temescal

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In North Oakland off of State Route 24 sits the Temescal, a tree-lined neighborhood that’s a magnet for those seeking out some of the city’s best eats.

Temescal is experiencing a revival of activity, especially along the commercial heart of Telegraph Avenue between the MacArthur BART Station and 51st Street. A popular date-night destination, Telegraph patrons enjoy a romantic meal made with seasonal California-grown ingredients, followed by organic ice cream that locals line up for religiously, rain or shine.

Ethiopian and Eritrean residents from the diaspora have brought their authentic culinary traditions to Temescal, serving up large plates of legumes and spiced vegies, warm Sambusas, delicious flat bread, and traditional Ethiopian coffee to hungry carnivores and vegetarians alike.

From the South, Oakland’s Koreatown is the go-to spot for Korean barbeque, followed by a fun night of karaoke.

Bay Area locals let their creative juices flow at the Temescal Arts Center, a volunteer-run arts cooperative that brings the community together with workshops, performances and movie nights. In the spirit of the Bay’s DIY ethos, Temescal is also home to one of the few tool-lending libraries in the country, which lends out tools for repairs and home-improvements free of charge to anyone with an Oakland Public Library card.

[Photo credit: Sonny Abesamis / flikr]

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Popular Things to Do in Temescal

Bagels & Donuts

Pizzaiolo

5008 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609

We at Pizzaiolo believe that the simple act of feeding people is at the core of what it is to be human. Our daily breakfast, lunch and dinner menu that changes daily with seasonal ingredients from local farms and purveyors.

Bars

Marc 49

4915 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609

Burmese Restaurants

Burma Superstar

4721 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609

Burmese cuisine is influenced by the spices & cooking styles of its neighbors: India, China, Laos & Thailand. Twitter: @Burmasuperstar

Bars

Underwood

308 41st St, Oakland, CA 94609

New school cafe, dedicated in catering to all those who work from home. We offer free wifi, rentable conference and office space, organic artisan coffee & food.

Arts & Crafts

Sagrada Sacred Arts

4926 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609

Since 1994, SAGRADA, an independent gift shop and bookstore has been welcoming seekers of all faiths, offering devotional items and books from an array of spiritual traditions.

Arts

Royal NoneSuch Gallery

4231 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609

RNG is a North Oakland alternative art and community event space run by Liz Bernstein, Carey Lin, Hillary Wiedemann, Susannah Magers, and Zoe Taleporos.

Bars

The Avenue

4822 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609

A no frills bar catering to the neighborhood's need for an inexpensive watering hole. Seriously, you can pull up a stool and revel in your anonymity while slugging down a decent cocktail at Connolly's.

Bars

The Hog's Apothecary

375 40th Street, Oakland, CA 94609

New American Beer Hall

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Scenes from Temescal
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