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The bike path on the new Bay Bridge.
The bike path on the new Bay Bridge. (David Fenton/Gallery Stock)

Oakland Is the Bay Area’s Unsung Urban Playground

Escape San Francisco to play in the booming East Bay

Published: 
Commuters ride on the Bay Bridge bike path.
(Photo: David Fenton/Gallery Stock)

New perk: Easily find new routes and hidden gems, upcoming running events, and more near you. Your weekly Local Running Newsletter has everything you need to lace up! .

More than just a refuge from the Teslas and tech bros across the water, Oakland聽is a booming hub for the adventurous. Here's your聽guide to the East Bay鈥檚 best spots to work up a sweat and refuel afterward.

Get Roped Up聽

Leading at the Great Western Power Company.
Leading at the Great Western Power Company. (Courtesy of the Great Western Po)

, a climbing gym in the heart of downtown, has 48-foot walls, a bouldering area, and a tricked-out weight room. Sign up for the lead class to get comfortable making clips and taking whippers. $20 for a day pass.

Pack a Picnic聽

Mountain View Cemetery.
Mountain View Cemetery. (Michael Halberstadt)

Our favorite bit of green space isn鈥檛 a park. Mountain View Cemetery, on Piedmont Avenue, is open until the sun goes down, has panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline, and is home to turkeys and deer. Too macabre? Hike to the top of , where you鈥檒l find 10-million-year-old rock formations. Just be sure and mind the cows.听

Take a Taco-Truck Tour聽

(Tacos Sinaloa/)

The Fruitvale neighborhood has the best Mexican food north of the border.听

, 3132 International Blvd.
The order: Fish tacos.听

, 1001 Fruitvale Blvd.
The order: Carnitas with copious cilantro and pickled carrots.听

, 4078 Foothill Blvd.听
The order: Tripa (tripe), for the adventurous.

Eat Like a Local

Homestead restaurant.
Homestead restaurant. (Courtesy of the Homestead)

Alice Waters鈥檚 farm-to-table revolution has inched its way south from adjacent Berkeley. Book a table at for Sunday supper, which consists of three always changing, farm-fresh courses. $52, including tip

Run for It

Lake Merritt.
Lake Merritt. (Daniel Ramirez/)

The 3.4-mile loop around Lake Merritt is the city鈥檚 best route for weekday training and, since it鈥檚 almost exactly five kilometers long, weekend racing.

Waterfront Barhop聽

Wetting whistles since 1883.
Wetting whistles since 1883. (Michael Halberstadt)

Start at 132-year-old Heinold鈥檚 First and Last Chance Saloon on Webster Street, a bar with slanted floors that has served dockworkers since the 1800s. Then rent a boat down the street at and cruise the inner harbor past the old industrial water-front and working port. After returning, swing by around the corner on Third Street, which has a metal vibe and 50 brews on tap.听

Hit the Dirt聽

Joaquin Miller singletrack.
Joaquin Miller singletrack. (Jason Van Horn)

Oakland has mountain-bike options just outside town. Bomb down the half-mile-long, singletrack Cinderella Trail in , which connects to 40 miles of fire roads next door in .听

Ride the Streets聽

Gearing up for the East Bay Bike Party
Gearing up for the East Bay Bike Party (J.J. Harris)

鈥淭丑别 happens the second Friday of every month,鈥 says local photographer J.J. Harris. 鈥淭丑别 route always changes, but it鈥檚 usually three or four stops around the East Bay. Anywhere from 500 to 2,500 cyclists show up. Riders have speakers mounted on their bikes and DJ from the iPad on their handlebars. My kind of people.鈥

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