We Love Oakland! Bike Rides
Weekend Getaway
3 routes: Friday - 3 miles | Saturday - 6 miles | Sunday - 6 miles
About the Curator
Route Overview
Kara works as a Planner at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. When not working on new mobility and Complete Streets, she’s usually thrifting or exploring the Bay Area by bike, foot and transit with her husband and their new daughter. She’s documenting her experience on Twitter @multimodalmom
The stops include farmers markets, a museum, a boat house, and a historic theater, cemetery and ice cream parlor. Since Oakland is a city that loves local and conscious shopping, there is also the best of Oakland thrift and vintage boutiques, and many of my favorite places to grab a coffee, drink and food to keep you fueled throughout the way. Hopefully by the end of the ride, you’ll love Oakland, like #WeloveOakland.
Itinerary and Biking Distance
This itinerary was designed as a weekend getaway, with routes for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, ranging in 3-6 miles each, a leisurely distance with plenty of rest stops.
Note from Bikabout founder, Megan Ramey
It gives me great pleasure to publish this Best Bike Ride because Kara and I go way back as bike advocates in Boston. She held a then brand position for LivableStreets Alliance and I as a board member. Now, she’s a new mom and I expect great things from this family and East Bay bike advocacy!
Arizmendi Bakery was dang good!
Click "Free Map" button above map for printable double-sided version.
+ Map & Bikes (click to expand)
BIKE SHARE
- Bay Wheels - $2+ per trip or $10 per day, up to 30 minutes for free, for electric bike with basket and lights
RENTAL SHOPS
- Alameda Bicycles - kids and adult bikes for rent.
- Lakeview Bicycles - $15/3 hours or $30/day for more for a 3-speed city bike includes lock and helmet.
SPINLISTER
- "Airbnb for bikes"-rent a wide variety of bikes from locals
BIKE SHOPS
Blue Heron Bikes - Berkeley transportation bike shop selling Brompton, Bullitt, Faraday, Rivendell, Riese & Muller, Soma, Surly, Urban Arrow, Xtracycle and Yuba.
Hank & Franks - Berkeley long-running bike & accessory vendor offering free lifetime service for bikes purchased on-site.
Lucky Duck Bicycle Cafe - Oakland bike shop and cafe featuring healthy diner fare with vegan options.
Spokes Bike Lounge - Berkeley family bike shop selling Bikes at Work, Bike Friday, Cero, Cleary, Dahon, Felt and Xtracycle.
Tip Top Bike Shop - Oakland bike shop selling Brompton, Kona, Surly, Tribe, and Yuba
TOURS
East Bay Winery Bike Tours - "Enjoy the urban wine boom on a bike. Now you can taste and learn by the glass. Drink wine poured by the vintner. The way they used to in Napa. Easy bike tours of 'wine city', the local alternative to wine country."
This is Oakland Bike Tour - $75 per person for a great overview of Central Oakland by covering historical, architectural, cultural, sociopolitical and fun facts about the Downtown, Uptown, Jack London, West Oakland, and Grand Lake/Lakeshore neighborhoods.
Google Map
To open this is Google Maps on your phone:
Click the star ★ on the map above
Launch Google Maps on your phone
Menu to "Your Places"
Click "Best Bike Ride: We Love Oakland"
Ride with GPS
To open this in Ride with GPS on you phone:
Download the RideWithGPS app
Launch app
Menu to "search routes" for Oakland
When you find "Best Bike Ride: We Love Oakland", click 3 dots and select, "Ride This"
Knimble Consignment had us with their cat-themed PSA
Itineraries for 2.5 days in Oakland
We’ve divided Kara’s favorites into 3 bite-sized rides. Numbers, 1-11, represent eats, drinks and sights and Letters, A-E, are the highlights, not to be missed.
+ FRIDAY Itinerary (click to expand)
1. BICYCLE COFFEE | 364 2nd St, Oakland | bicyclecoffeeco.com
Bicycle Coffee roasts quality coffee, grown by sustainable farms and delivers it by bicycle. Need I say more? Get your bike tuned up every Saturday while you sip on your coffee. They're also at Grand Lake Farmer's Market on Saturdays.
A. OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA | 1000 Oak St, Oakland | museumca.org | (510)318-8400
If you're in town for a Friday night, head here for "First Fridays." You'll enjoy delicious food trucks (Senor Sigig is a goodie), drinks, fantastic live music, and a family friendly atmosphere. Then head into the museum for 1/2 price adult and free kids gallery admission.
2. FOX THEATER | 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | thefoxoakland.com | (510)302-2250
This theater, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, opened in 1928 and ran films until 1970. It was refurbished and reopened in 2009 as a concert venue. The architecture is phenomenal.
3. SHANDONG RESTAURANT | 328 10th St #101, Oakland | shandongoakland.com | (510)839-2299
Best Chinese restaurant in the East Bay. Don't just take my word for it, it recently won Best Chinese Restaurant in Oakland by East Bay Express. This place is known for its hand made noodles and dumplings.
+ SATURDAY Itinerary (click to expand)
4. BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE | 300 Webster St, Oakland | bluebottlecoffee.com | 510-653-3394
Enjoy local coffee at the peak of its flavor at Blue Bottle. Blue Bottle is expanding, but this Webster St location opened in 2009. On Sundays, there's free public coffee tastings and a "How to Brew" series.
B. GRAND LAKE FARMERS MARKET | Lake Park Ave, Oakland | marinfarmersmarkets.org | 415-472-6100
If you're in town on a Saturday, the Grand Lake Farmers Market is a must! Family, pet and bike friendly, with a large, diverse vendor list. This market wins best farmers market of the East Bay year after year! You won't be disappointed.
5.1 MARIBEL | 599 El Embarcadero, Oakland | maribeloakland.com | 510-419-0677
A favorite, local hangout. Come here to witness all that is fabulous This small consignment boutique offers high-ticket designer items, with great bags, boots and shoes. There's a 50% off rack in the back.
5.2 ARIZMENDI BAKERY | 599 El Embarcadero, Oakland | arizmendilakeshore.com | 510-268-8849
This worker owned co-op bakery is delicious! Stop in for a fresh, local pizza, soup or salad of the day. Then grab a cookie or scone for the road. Show your helmet for 10% off. There's also a great bike corral across the street.
6. THE PERGOLA AT LAKE MERRITT | 599 El Embarcadero, Oakland | 510-238-7275
A favorite, local hangout. Come here to witness all that is fabulous about Oakland: Lake Merritt, the city skyline, cultural diversity, and the young and old running, strolling, dancing, slack-roping and grilling.
C. LAKE MERRITT BOATING CENTER | 568 Bellevue Ave, Oakland | sailoakland.com | 510-238-2196
Rent a kayak, canoe or sailboat at this recently renovated community boating center. This is a great way to see Oakland from the water.
7. HEINOLD'S | Jack London Square, 48 Webster St, Oakland | oaklandsaloon.com | 510-839-6761
Have a beer or cocktail on the water at this 1883 bar that was built from the remnants of an old whaling ship. Heinold's pub introduced Oakland native Jack London to the sailors and adventurers that influenced his writing, which is why it's nickname is Jack London's Rendezvous.
+ SUNDAY Itinerary (click to expand)
D. JACK LONDON FARMERS MARKET | Webster St & Embarcadero West, Oakland | www.cuesa.org | 415-291-3276
If you're in town on a Sunday, don't miss the Jack London Square's Farmer's Market. Located along the car-free Water St path, this market is a community gem with a great mix of produce and local artisans.
8. SUBROSA COFFEE | 419 40th St, Oakland | subrosacoffee.com | 510-740-8020
This is great stop for 4 reasons. 1. Good local, strong coffee. 2. Beautiful crowdfunded parklet out front with bike parking. 3. Located at the corner of a bike boulevard. 4. Next to a bike shop if you need air or accessories.
E. MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY | 5000 Piedmont Ave, Oakland | mountainviewcemetery.org | 510-658-2588
The best, bikeable Bay Area View from Oakland. Immerse yourself in history, beautiful landscape architecture and stunning views from this 226-acre cemetery designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Don't miss "Millionaire's Row."
9. FENTON'S CREAMERY | 4226 Piedmont Ave, Oakland | fentonscreamery.com | 510-658-7000
If you don't mind a bit of a line (because the ice cream is so good) check out this local mainstay. Its been around since 1984! It's said to be the original birthplace of rocky road ice cream. If you're an ice cream lover, you have to taste Fenton's.
10. MERCY VINTAGE | 4188 Piedmont Ave, Oakland | mercyvintage.com | 510-654-5599
Boutique offering a selection of vintage clothes & accessories for women in a 1920s-era space.
11.1. URBAN UNIVERSITY | 3237 Grand Ave, Oakland | urbanuniv.org | 510-835-3165
This nonprofit operates two second hand social enterprises,urban furniture and urban boutique. urban university hires, transitions and empowers single moms from public assistance. Women's and men's clothing, home goods and furniture.
11.2 KNIMBLE | 3258 Grand Ave, Oakland | knimble.com | 510-645-1314
One of the biggest second hand consignment shops in Oakland. Large men's and women's sections on both floors, with great, local, natural body products, jewelry and makeup.
