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Sunset

Golden Hour at Lake Merritt

Grab a drink as the light turns gold, watch the sun dip below the water, then wander into the quiet evening.

Best time: 17:13About 105 min

Timeline

  1. 16:28

    The Alley

    Sit at the piano bar and sing along to oldies. The neon sign outside is lit on weekends, adding to the vibe before you head out.

  2. 16:53

    Lake Merritt

    Walk 21 minutes southwest to Lake Merritt. Find a spot on the perimeter path facing west. The tidal lagoon reflects the sky perfectly as the golden light begins at 16:34 and builds toward the sun's descent.

  3. 17:13

    Lake Merritt

    Watch the sun set toward the WSW. The light fades quickly, marking the end of the day.

  4. 17:43

    Clio's

    Head 10 minutes away to Clio's. This chill bar with bookstore aesthetics is open until 23:00 on weekends. It is a calm place to sit with a book or a drink after the crowds disperse.

Local tip

The walk from The Alley to Lake Merritt is 21 minutes. Check the route if you are not familiar with the area. Clio's is open from 11:00 on weekends, so you can arrive anytime after the sunset.

Check before you go

  • The Alley is open daily 6PM-2AM.
  • Clio's is open Sa,Su 11:00-23:00.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Oakland (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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