Why go now: Restaurant openings keep building the buzz in the East Bay’s other Gourmet Ghetto (Berkeley’s is so last decade).
What’s so gourmet about it: Wave after wave of culinary types have moved into this rapidly gentrifying neighborhood, where home prices quintupled from 1995 to 2005.
Local transport: Skateboards, fixed-gear bikes, jogging strollers.
Graze anatomy: Within a few blocks on Temescal’s main strip, Telegraph Avenue, diners can progress from Morocco to Italy, Burma, Korea, and East Africa.
Number of fried chicken sandwiches Bakesale Betty can sell on a Saturday: 1,100―but the bakery’s regulars are lining up for the new brisket sandwich, layered with caramelized onion, arugula, horseradish cream, and, yes, crushed potato chips ($; 5098 Telegraph Ave.; 510/985-1213).
Vintage Oakland: Marc 49 (4915 Telegraph; 510/652-2100) has filled the need for a wine bar. Check out its off-street patio.
The buck pops here: One dollar gets you into the Wine Mine’s weekly tastings (2–5 Sat; 5427 Telegraph; 510/547-9463), which have the upbeat mood of a block party.
Done nibbling? 3 ways to work it off
Climb it off
Hoof it up the Claremont Path in Oakland’s Upper Rockridge, from Brookside Avenue (just off the Broadway exit of State 24) into a cluster of ooh-la-la homes. Turn left on Ocean View Drive, then right on West Lane for sparkling views.
Jog it off
In a eucalyptus grove just south of UC Berkeley, the Golden Bear Track has a sylvan setting. Circle the oval, enjoying bay breezes and sweeping vistas of the Golden Gate. Open to public when not in use for university events; calbears.berkeley.edu
Bike it off
A scenic stretch of the Bay Trail runs along the waterfront from Marina Park in Emeryville to the Berkeley Marina. It’s an easy 7-mile roundtrip, but if you still have energy to burn, you can continue as far as Point Richmond. baytrail.org
