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About The East Bay: Rockridge
Rockridge is a free thinker's version of a perfect town. It's not quite as frightening as The Truman Show or Pleasantville, but its tree-lined streets, quaint eateries and immaculate library resemble an updated Norman Rockwell painting.
The town's exact position on the map is hard to pin down. Like the Bermuda Triangle or the boundaries of Union Square, the exact dimensions of Rockridge depend on who you're talking to. Speak with a realtor and the perimeter of the area might as well extend into downtown Oakland. But if you're talking with locals, especially about the retail area, it's roughly from the beginning of College Avenue, where it meets Broadway, on up College Avenue to the Oakland/Berkeley border.
The best way to explore this hamlet is from the ground up. Start walking up one end (heading either south toward Broadway or north toward Berkeley) and then walk down the other. To make this journey easier, we have broken up College Avenue, the main thoroughfare of Rockridge, into two easy-to-handle chunks: from BART to Broadway, and from BART to Alcatraz.
Sights & Culture Since Rockridge is primarily a strolling, shopping and lounging kind of community, there are no parks or centralized tourist attractions. But there are sights, such as:Firestorm Community Mural Project: The first stop, no matter which way you choose to walk, should be the tile mural display at the BART station. Called the Firestorm Community Mural Project, this collection of more than 2,000 tiles "pays tribute to the human spirit and its capacity to overcome tragedy and loss" of the 1991 Oakland Hills firestorm. Dedicated to the survivors of the disaster, the tiles offer homage to lost pets as well as respect to the firefighters who risked their lives to save residents and homes. The tiles are located directly across the street from the main entrance of BART.
Shopping
Market Hall: The next stop on your tour toward Broadway will be Market Hall, a sort of upscale version of a European open-air market. While each shop is its own entity, they are connected by the lack of walls between them. Fresh fish, meat, pasta and cheese are laid out along with other ingredients for a great meal. Or take a prepared entree home, and pass it off as your own creation. For a low-maintenance activity, grab a baguette from Grace Baking then perk up on some coffee from Peaberry's. Corner of College Avenue and Keith.Saturn Records: Looking for a young Danny Bonaduce? Or the real Colonel Sanders album, "Tijuana Picnic with Colonel Sanders"? Then head to Saturn Records, which also has a fine selection of used records (yes, vinyl!), CDs, tapes and vintage memorabilia. 5488 College Ave., (510) 654-0335.
Aunt Bill's Antiques: Two crammed floors (overflowing into a small backyard) of antique goods can be found in this renovated house, occupied by friendly owners and a nice German Shepherd door-greeter. A perfect stop on any Sunday stroll. 5358 College Ave., (510) 595-0889.
Alta Bates Showcase: Just because this is fancy Rockridge doesn't mean that thrift stores are forced to live on the outskirts of town. On the contrary, Alta Bates Showcase -- named after the nurse who built a Berkeley hospital with her meager savings -- is right in the heart of Rockridge. The volunteer staff is always eager to help, and all sales benefit their medical center and its community programs. 5615 College Ave., (510) 653-1527.
Restaurants
Filippo's: Forget that other cheap pasta place cropping up all over the Bay Area -- Filippo's is the best purveyor of good, affordable Italian dinners. Their gemelli polli is so good, it could keep them in business on its own. Add a local micro brew, outdoor seating and a dog-friendly wait staff and you've got the makings of a scrumptious dining experience. 5400 College Ave., (510) 601-8646.Citron: Want fancy food but don't want the attitude that sometimes comes as a side order? Then Citron should be on your must-go-to list. With a seasonal French (and sometimes Cajun) menu, you're bound to find something to please your palette. This employee-owned restaurant also has patio seating and a wait staff that truly takes delight in the menu. 5484 College Ave., (510) 653-5484. (Chronicle Review)
Garibaldis On College: Want fancy food and the attitude that goes with it? Here, attitude not only oozes from the wait staff, but from the patrons as well. And why shouldn't it? This upstart restaurant recently burst onto the culinary East Bay scene and earned bragging rights with well-designed "California Cuisine" dishes, a huge wine list and groovy bar. If you're afraid to come here, go to their sister restaurant in the Presidio first to see what all the fuss is about. 5356 College Ave., (510) 595-4000. (Chronicle Review)
Uzen: It seems no neighborhood is complete without a comfortable, high-quality sushi palace to call its own. Although there are others on College, Uzen is the locals' favorite. Highlights include perfectly cooked edamame, silky unagi and a soft shell crab roll that will tickle your throat. 5415 College Ave., (510) 654-7753.
For more Oakland restaurants, check out these Chronicle reviews.
Nightlife
George & Walts: Besides going out to dinner or browsing in a bookstore, the only other nightlife activity to be had in Rockridge is the bar scene. And what better bar to start off with than this one? Soak up the relaxed atmosphere on their muddy-colored chairs, play some pool or watch the A's struggle to regain an audience. 5445 College Ave., (510) 653-7441.McNally's Irish Pub: This pub, built in 1911, has a lot going for it. It has bumper pool, once served JFK a drink, and serves Boddington's (among other Irish and British favorites) straight from the tap. 5352 College Ave., (510) 654-9463.
Ben-N-Nick's: Like its counterpart, Cato's (on Piedmont), Ben-N-Nick's is all about being a family-friendly pub. A place where mom and pop can order a local brew and watch the kids chow down on burgers, fish and chips. 5612 College Ave., (510) 932-0327.
Diesel: Nick Hornby left the audience slack-jawed by the fireplace. Mayor Jerry Brown left them wanting more as did Bill Bryson, who left them laughing as he left. All appeared at this homey, user-friendly independent bookstore, which also hosts writing workshops, book groups and French and Spanish conversation get-togethers. 5433 College Ave., (510) 653-9965. Email diesel@best.com
College Ave., from BART to Alcatraz
Sights & CultureLike the other side of the BART station, the best sites around here are the people, the surroundings and the atmosphere. There is no radical change happening, just more coffee shops, restaurants and kids' clothing stores (there seems to be one on almost every corner).
But there is plenty of scenery to soak up here -- beautiful people bustling along a beautiful avenue. It's also a perfect area to do some window shopping.
The premium place to experience this side of Rockridge is on the corner of College and 63rd Street. Bask in the scents wafting out of Yasai Market, where the fresh produce blends with the aroma of flowers from The Meadows. Or satisy your java craving at an outside table at Royal Coffee or down the thickly tree-lined street at Mocha Lisa.
Shopping
Cotton & Company: Of all the children and baby stores along College, C & C is the dominant one, with three separate stores all within walking distance of each other. From maternity and infants to regular-sized kids, plus a store for furniture, when it's time to get the goods for junior, this is the compound to go to. 5858 College Ave. (kids' stuff) and 5902 College (maternity/infant), (510) 653-8058.
Great Harvest Bread Company: Fresh bread is a luxury everyone should afford themselves. When in Rockridge, try the Rockridge Crunch, a luscious blend of nine grains, oats, cranberries, dark and golden raisins, pecans, sunflower seeds that's topped with brown sugar and oats. That's just one of the seven or more daily-baked loaves at Great Harvest. 5800 College Ave., (510) 655-4442.
Sierra Club Books & Gifts: Whether you're looking for the perfect gift for your family tree hugger or just want to get hiking trail maps, the knowledgeable staff can guide you in the right direction. 6014 College Ave., (510) 658-7470. (website)
Rockridge Rags: This consignment shop has a large and quirky selection of vintage clothes, creative window dressings and impressive bongos. 5711 College Ave., (510) 655-2289.
Restaurants
Zachary's Pizza: This is one of those places people all over the area know about. It's been a favorite for years with their famous stuffed pizza and a fun atmoshpere. They don't take reservations, and the wait can be long. 5801 College Ave., (510) 655-6385.
Buttercup Bakery: Breakfast, lunch and dinner in a cozy coffee shop atmosphere without the greasy spoon element. If you go in the morning, you can watch the bicyclists make their way up to the hills. If you go for dinner, you can watch their hearty return. 3201 College Ave., (510) 652-6157.
Katrina Rozelle: The best place to go for pastries and desserts, as any frequent reader of wedding magazines will tell you (Katrina is world famous for her wedding cakes). 5931 College Ave., (510) 655-3209.
For more Oakland restaurants, check out these Chronicle reviews.
Nightlife
Dreyer's Ice Cream Shop: After a long day of strolling up and down College, what better way to re-energize yourself then with a scoop of strawberry ice cream? Dreyers is the choice of Rockridge socialites, so go and rub elbows while enjoying a triple scoop sundae. 5925 College Ave., (510) 658-0520.
Barclay's Bar and Grill: If you're a Cal fan who doesn't want the hassle of going to a game, then head to Barclay's after a Cal win, and soak up some collegiate atmosphere. With 30 beers to choose from, as well as a rotating tap, Barclay's knows how to throw a party. This is also a family friendly pub, so kids, drag your parents here. 5940 College Ave., (510) 654-1650.
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