Located in Downtown Oakland, this historic district was the city center for the city in the late 1800s. Beautiful Victorian buildings were scattered around the district and it was a popular spot until the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Today, this small area contains restored elegant Victorian buildings, trendy boutiques, and great restaurants.

Known as the the main commercial street of the district, Piedmont Avenue is often crowded with the locals as well as the tourists, wishing to indulge in some retail therapy. The street is lined with a number of restaurants as well as shops serving trendy goods. Restaurants such as Baywolf, Dopo and more are popular here whereas, one can also easily shop for some fashionable goodies from boutiques like Mercy Vintage and Pimlico. The place also specializes in selling various other goods like antiques and accessories. If you are looking forward to spending a day shopping, checking out the local hangout spot or simply wish to browse through a few clothing collections, Piedmont Avenue can be visited.

Temescal is an old neighborhood in Oakland, California which is rich in history. There is also a creek which runs through here and the name of the neighborhood has been derived from it. There are plenty of historical landmarks in Temescal which depict the history of the town. The first telegraph wires from Oakland to Sacramento had gone through Temescal. It is also known for The Temescal Tool Lending library. This is a beautiful neighborhood with many historical landmarks and locations to visit and learn more about.

Temescal Alley has emerged as a hotbed of activity. A lot of development has happened through the years and now a lot of independent shops, restaurants and artist's shops are open in the alley. There are restaurants and ice cream parlors also, which offer a wide variety of cuisine to the tourists. The architecture of the alley is of early 20th Century and due to this the shops which are located in this alley have maintained the buildings as they were. The owner's of the shops have formed small communities amongst themselves. This place has developed a lot over the years and has become a small sweet little alley for people to shop, eat and spend some time with their family.

You could easily spend an entire day with your family at Bay Street Emeryville, because there's something there for everyone. In addition to shopping for apparel, you can also catch a movie at the AMC Theatre, or even buy something to decorate your home. If you get hungry, there are several places to satisfy any craving, whether it be for cupcakes or pizza. Though there are often delightful live performances on weekends, that also tends to be the busiest time to visit. Weekdays after school are also crowded, as it provides a popular mall-like atmosphere for local teens to hang out. Street parking is difficult, though paid parking in the garage can be validated at the movie theater and at Barnes & Noble.

With its own BART station, Rockridge's main artery is College Avenue. Half in Oakland and half in Berkeley, Rockridge nevertheless feels like its own little town. Locals, as well as those in-the-know throughout the Bay Area, know this is the perfect place to wile away a sunny weekend afternoon shopping for antiques, gourmet groceries, and the best in locally made clothing and crafts, or to just enjoy a leisurely brunch at one of the many fine restaurants. Whether you are visiting for a short while or are new to the area, a day in Rockridge is not to be missed.

Listen to the whoosh of the winds as they caress the pine trees that overlook Montclair Village. An ideal tourist haunt, Montclair radiates a village-like charm with its small town, mountainous atmosphere. Breathe in the fresh air, take a long walk through the village streets or sample the fare at one of the eateries. Quaint stores dot the streets and tempt you into splurging on delightful trinkets. Rich in cultural heritage, you will be witness to a plethora of art events and festivities lined up on the local itinerary. The Fine Arts Sidewalk Festival held every year in Montclair Village is a extravaganza to behold. Stroll along and take in the lovely paintings, hand-blown glass work, sculptures, photography, jewelry, ceramics and collages.