795 40th St, Oakland, CA 94609

Rumor has it that everything cool in the East Bay is happening in Temescal: cool restaurants, fascinating boutiques and galleries, vibrant culture, a dizzyingly diverse group of people, and just a lot of fun. The heart of Temescal is the intersection of Telegraph and 51st St. in North Oakland, just south of the Berkeley border. Right at that corner is Bakesale Betty, one of the eateries most associated with the recent Temescal revival. If the line is too long, try the lines at Dona Tomas, Pizzaiolo or Genova Deli before those lines get too long. Not in the mood for food? Check out Scout Home Hardware, the recently renovated Studio One Arts Center, or good old Hooper’s Chocolates. A great way to sample the neighborhood is at the annual Temescal Street Fair each June. The neighborhood originally sprang up around the Temescal Creek in the mid twentieth century, when it evolved from a working class Italian neighborhood into the eclectic celebration of diversity and culture that it is today. Maybe this is why This Old House just called Temescal one of the best “old house” neighborhoods in the country! Because of its background, the area is populated with adorable single-family bungalows, mostly in the Craftsman style. Speaking of BART, Temescal is a very pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, thanks to being between two convenient BART stations. There is also the Telegraph Avenue RAPID bus line, among other offerings from AC Transit. Plus, there are bike lanes galore and the area is very flat and walkable. You would be surprised how close you are to everything in Temescal! Are we saving the best for last? Perhaps. Some people consider the Temescal Farmer’s Market to be the best one in the area (yes, even better than that big one in the City at the Ferry building). Yet, some claim that the Temescal Pool is the best thing in the neighborhood, especially with Temescal’s warmer micro-climate. Let’s enjoy them both and decide later.