Downtown Oakland has so many facets, I can only give you but a taste of what it’s like: Businesses bustling, people scurrying, and some of the best little hot spots for food.

Right around the corner from Lake Merrit and down the street from Temescal, there is so much to do and see. Broadway sets the standard for theater, active living, and eating, all in one. My favorite eating spot or hang out is Mua off of Webster. There are also bars and little lounges like Luka’s or SoMar. What’s great is they are all near BART stations so getting together with friends is super easy.

There’s a lot of culture in Downtown: hole in the wall ethnics restaurants, wall murals, and historic buildings. What is nice is there is a balance of nice cafes and urban vibes to mellow out the grittiness of the downtown area. Sometimes you may just catch someone playing on their saxophone on a nearby corner.