NIGHT LIFE


Live Music Venue


Yoshi’s
    A rare jazz club designed with musicians and listeners in mind, Yoshi’s has provided state-of-the-art sound, unobstructed sightlines and the biggest names in mainstream jazz (as well as “smooth,” avant-garde and local acts, plus Japanese cuisine and a full bar) at its Jack London Square location since May 1997. Still not convinced? With new executive chef and former Ozumo mastermind Shotaro “Sho” Kamio at the helm, Yoshi’s is always in good taste. Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West, (510) 238-9200, www.yoshis.com.


Art Gallery


Pro Arts
    One of Oakland’s classiest arts organizations, Pro Arts is a member-driven community arts outfit with 1,000 artists and supporters. Occupying a sunny, 2,500-square-foot gallery in Jack London Square, it’s probably best known as the force behind the twice-a-year East Bay Open Studios event, which allows public tours of area artists’ private studios. Pro Arts, 550 Second St., (510) 763-4361, www.proartsgallery.org.

Sports Bar


Crogan’s Restaurant, Barclays Restaurant & Pub and The Golden Bear
    When it comes to great places to enjoy a beer and watch the game, we’ll have to let our readers agree to disagree. Our first ever three-way tie goes to Crogan’s Restaurant, a restaurant and Irish pub in Montclair; Barclays Restaurant & Pub, where big screens, a huge beer selection and great food rule; and The Golden Bear, a classic college-student hangout near Lake Merritt. Only one thing is common to all three pubs—no Los Angeles Lakers fans are allowed. Crogan’s, 6101 La Salle Ave., (510) 339-2098, www.crogansmontclair.com; Barclays, 5940 College Ave., (510) 654-1650, www.barclayspub.com; The Golden Bear, 389 Grand Ave., (510) 663-2327.


Editor's Choice

Best Place to Eyeball Oddball Art

Art Murmur
    Troll for artistic treasure on the first Friday of every month at the Oakland Art Murmur in which a dozen or so arts venues schedule coinciding openings and events. Ground zero, often crowded with hipsters, is 23rd Street and Telegraph Avenue, steps away from the stylish Esteban Sabar Gallery, usually mobbed Mama Buzz Cafe, eccentric Ego Park and the hip Rock Paper Scissors Collective. Visit www.oaklandartmurmur.com for participants and a map.

Editor's Choice

Best Place to Win a Shuffleboard Championship

Kingfish Cafe and Pub
    The Kingfish Cafe and Pub is a true dive bar that just reeks of character—and maybe a few other things. The juke box hasn’t been changed in at least 10 years, the ceilings are low and the walls are covered with sports memorabilia and chalk graffiti. Still, the place is always full of friendly characters and good vibes. Sidle up to the bar and enjoy free popcorn and a Guinness poured the way it’s supposed to be. Head to the back room where everyone, even newcomers, is invited to take part in the occasional shuffleboard tournament. Winners walk away with their very own Kingfish T-shirt; losers have to talk about the one that got away. Kingfish Cafe and Pub, 5227 Claremont Ave., (510) 655-7373.

LIFESTYLE

 

Tourist Attraction


Lake Merritt
    Impress out-of-towners at Lake Merritt, a quintessential Oakland landmark and the oldest wildlife refuge in North America. By day, it’s an athlete’s Mecca, where walkers and runners can eye birds that breed at or migrate to the salt-water lake. Illuminated by the Necklace of Lights at night, it’s a vision of loveliness, with the Oakland skyline shimmering faintly in the ripples on the water.


Neighborhood


Rockridge
    Judging by the number of votes cast, Oaklanders are as passionate about their neighborhoods as they
are about their pizza and breakfast joints. And the combination of local pride (in the Craftsman bungalows and corner cafes) and widespread admiration of its dining and shopping destinations stirred a rally that allowed Rockridge to eclipse Montclair as the ideal neighborhood. Rockridge, www.rockridgedistrict.com.

Farmers Market

Grand Lake Farmers Market
    Home to colorful characters and colorful food, there is no place like the Grand Lake Farmers Market. Every Saturday the market draws more than 50 vendors offering produce, prepared foods and arts and crafts at Splash Pad Park right across from the Grand Lake Theater near Lake Merritt. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at the corner of Grand Avenue and Lake Park Way. Grand Lake Farmers Market, (800) 897-3276, www.splashpad.org/farmersmkt.html.


Local Day Spa


Claremont Spa
    After a 2001 facelift, the Claremont Spa became as integral to the Claremont Resort’s destination status as its grand, ornate hotel and chic restaurants and bars. Thirty-two treatment rooms provide ample space for everything from à la carte treatments all the way up to the Claremont Ultimate Escape Package. Claremont Spa, 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley, (800) 551-7266, www.claremontresort.com/spa.

Park


Redwood Regional Park
    For the second year in a row, Redwood Regional Park was voted a favorite outdoor getaway. It’s no secret that the East Bay has some of the best and most beautiful hiking, biking and horseback riding trails in its hills; what is surprising is that so much of it is within the 1,836-acre Redwood Park. Throw in swimming, picnic areas and the chance to spy rare species—such as the golden eagle or Alameda striped racer snake—and you just may have heaven on earth. Redwood Regional Park, (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.

Beauty Salon


17 Jewels Salon + Spa
    Owner Julie Stevens named 17 Jewels Salon + Spa after an inscription she found on a watch left to her by her grandfather and as a nod to the nickname, “Jewels,” she has had her whole life. It appears readers agree that it is time to give some recognition to this local jewel that prides itself on pampering its customers. 17 Jewels Salon + Spa, 4801 Telegraph, Ave., (510) 653-1059, www.17jewelssalonspa.com.


Editor's Choice

Most Active Way to Learn Oakland History

Bike Trips of Oakland
    History can be participatory, not passive. Check out the free Bike Trips of Oakland with the bike-tripping docents of the Oakland Museum of California. These volunteers lead leisurely paced, two-hour, five-mile tours of Oaktown and surroundings to reveal historical gems on certain Sundays (reservations required; riders meet at the 10th Street entrance). Bike Trips of Oakland, 1000 Oak St., (510) 238-3514, www.museumca.org.

Scenic Drive


Skyline Drive
    For breathtaking views of the Bay Area, snake along Skyline Drive, the curvy two-lane road that hugs the ridge in the East Bay Hills, coursing through majestic redwoods and fragrant eucalyptus trees on its way past houses perched cliff-side and mansions anchored on wooded lots. Cyclists, runners, walkers and Harley Davidson–riding sightseers travel the drive for inspiration.


Local Museum


Oakland Museum of California
    Opened in 1969, the Oakland Museum of California is the only museum devoted to the art, history and natural sciences of California. To showcase the Golden State’s present, past and future, the museum houses comprehensive permanent exhibits on three floors and supplements those with galleries, education programs, tours and special exhibits, with the annual Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, exhibit and celebration, an eagerly anticipated annual affair. Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., (510) 238-2200, www.museumca.org.

Yoga Studio


Piedmont Yoga
    It’s not a stretch to call Piedmont Yoga the cornerstone of the East Bay yoga scene. Beyond
co-founder Rodney Yee’s celebrity vibe, the updated facilities, diverse teacher roster and expansive class schedule (including Pilates, Tai Chi Chuan and programs for people with special needs or disabilities) have garnered unparalleled devotion for 20 years. Piedmont Yoga, 3966 Piedmont Ave., (510) 652-3336, www.piedmontyoga.com.


Editor's Choice


Best Place for an After-Work Escape

Martin luther king jr. regional shoreline park
    Nobody goes to the airport to relax, but just a few minutes from Oakland International lies a little-known stretch of land offering great views, abundant wildlife and plenty of fresh air. Bordering San Leandro Bay off Hegenberger Drive, the Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline Park is a real find, with beautiful Arrowhead Marsh as its crown jewel. Walk the winding bayside trails, take in views of San Francisco and downtown Oakland, and enjoy the sounds of nature only occasionally interrupted by a passing plane or helicopter. Be on the lookout for a large wooden pier and ramp structure as well as a sculpture of a gray whale and Roger Berry’s mysterious art piece, Duplex Cone.

Annual Event


Art & Soul Festival
    Oakland’s signature outdoor event of the year is the Art & Soul Festival, which enters its seventh round on Labor Day weekend. No word on headliners yet, but festival-goers can count on three days of music from national performers on five stages, food and family fun in downtown’s Frank H. Ogawa Plaza. In 2006 more than 60,000 people attended the event. Rock on. For more information, visit www.artandsouloakland.com.

Pro Team


Oakland Athletics
    They may be Fremont-bound, but for now, the Oakland Athletics remain Oakland’s team, and the Golden State Warriors and the Oakland Raiders can’t compete with the much-loved ball club on the popularity front. The season is in full swing, so head to the ballpark today for the best game on dirt. Oakland Athletics, 7000 Coliseum Way, (510) 638-4627, www.oaklandathletics.com or www.ticketmaster.com.


Pro Athlete


Nick Swisher
    With last year’s poll-topper Barry Zito transplanted to the pitching mound across the bay, free-swinging Oakland A’s slugger Nick Swisher, a 26-year-old switch-hitting first baseman/outfielder, slides past his former teammate (and runner-up Eric Chavez) into first place as the local fan fave. Nick Swisher, Oakland A’s, www.oakland.athletics.-mlb.com.

PEOPLE


Local TV News Anchor (Male)


Dennis Richmond
    KTVU-TV, Channel 2, anchorman Dennis Richmond easily wins this category again, but in all fairness, is there really anybody else? Richmond has been a staple of Bay Area life and a local favorite since becoming anchor of KTVU’s flagship program, The Ten O’Clock News, in 1976. Dennis Richmond, www.ktvu.com.


Local TV News Anchor (Female)


Julie Haener
    Before her elevation in December 2006 to co-anchor, with Dennis Richmond, of the Ten O’Clock News on KTVU-TV, Channel 2, Julie Haener had already won three Emmy awards, including one for Best On-Camera News Anchor in 2004. Oakland Magazine readers agree, nudging the Washington state native past popular peers Sarah Sidner and Dana King. Julie Haener, www.ktvu.com.


 

Local Politician


Ronald Dellums
    Kudos to Hizzoner Ronald Dellums, the beloved Oakland native son and former U.S. congressman who took over the reins of California’s eighth-largest city in January, becoming the city’s 48th mayor. A senior statesman who wants to turn Oakland into a model city, he leads with an inclusive style and a provocative motto: “Together We Can Do Great Things.” Ronald Dellums, www.mayor-rondellums.org.

Chef


Paul Canales
    What do you do when, after playing in punk bands and working at Pacific Bell, you decide to make a career change? If you’re Fresno native Paul Canales, you enroll at the Culinary Institute of America and work your way up to head chef at a famous Bay Area restaurant. That was the road traveled by this gifted chef, who finds himself at the helm of Oliveto Cafe & Restaurant, preparing innovative variations on regional Italian cuisine. And now everyone can taste his success. Paul Canales, Oliveto, 5655 College Ave., (510) 547-5356, www.oliveto.com.