Timeline
12:00
Visit The Crucible. As a nonprofit industrial arts school, it offers classes in blacksmithing, ceramics, glass, and more. Arriving at opening allows you to see the workshops in action or explore the space before the afternoon rush.
12:15
Walk 13 minutes to Swahili Spot for lunch. This Tanzanian restaurant is open from 11:00 to 17:00 on weekends, making it a perfect fit for a midday meal.
13:00
Head to Lake Merritt. It is a large tidal lagoon surrounded by parkland and city neighborhoods. The 3.1-mile walking and jogging path along the perimeter offers a warts-and-all picture of Oakland.
13:30
Stop at Lake Chalet. This American restaurant features an elegant dining room overlooking the lake. If the weather is warm, you can have lunch or enjoy happy hour outside on the pier.
Local tip
Parking near Lake Merritt can be tricky, so check the route for the best access to The Crucible and the lake perimeter.
Check before you go
- The Crucible is open Tu-Fr 12:00-22:00 and Sa-Sa 10:00-18:00.
- Swahili Spot is open Fr-Su 11:00-17:00.
- Lake Chalet is open Mo-Th 11:00-20:00, Fr 11:00-21:00, Sa 10:00-21:00, and Su 10:00-20:00.
Worth knowing
- Swahili Spot is open at 12:15 only on Fr, Sa, Su
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Oakland (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).