THE NEIGHBORHOOD
THE BEST lake merritt/ADAMS POINT hAS TO OFFER
LIFE
Lake Merritt is a large, heart-shaped tidal lagoon in the center of Oakland, California. Surrounded by parkland and city neighborhoods, it holds historical significance as the United States’ first official wildlife refuge, designated in 1870. The lake features grassy shores; several artificial islands as bird refuges; an interpretive center; a boating center where sailboats, canoes and rowboats can be rented and classes are held; the Lake Chalet Restaurant and Bar with dining on the water; and Children’s Fairyland, a fairy-tale themed amusement park that was the original inspiration for Disneyland.
TRANSPORTATION
Easy Access To Multiple Transportation Options
Bay Area Rapid Transit — BART
With 48 stations, including 14 elevated, and 15 underground, traveling at speeds of up to 80mph, BART provides rapid access to popular destinations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, including both the Oakland and San Francisco airports. Several stations are within close range of THE FARADAY, including the convenient 19th Street transfer station in Downtown Oakland.
FREEWAYS
THE FARADAY is mere minutes away from convenient onramps for 580, 880/980 Freeways, and Highway 24, accessing all parts of Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco counties with ease.
BUSES — AC Transit
Bus stops near The Faraday offer short-distance easy-access to local Oakland neighborhoods and nearby Berkeley, while specially-designated Transbay buses take riders across the bridge to the Transit Terminal in San Francisco, for easy commuting to the West Bay.
Apple and Google Buses
Silicon Valley tech buses from Apple and Google pick up and drop off at MacArthur BART station, which is 1.5 miles from THE FARADAY
A popular walking and jogging path runs along the 3 mile perimeter and is adorned with strung lights for inspiring evening strolls. Newly constructed park spaces provide inviting areas for BBQs, picnics, casual gatherings, sports activities. Music performances along the shoreline are a regular appearance.
A FOODIE'S PARADISE
Oakland has developed a reputation as one of the best food and restaurant towns in the country and many of her best spots are within easy walking distance of THE FARADAY.
GROCERY
Grand Lake Farmers’ Market
Acclaimed as the best Farmers’ Market in the Bay Area, the Grand Lake Farmers’ Market features over 40 local farmers and over 30 specialty food purveyors, plus a number of local artisans selling clothing, jewelry, soaps and more. With live music, delicious gourmet prepared foods including asian dumplings, tacos, waffles, crepes, Thai food, Indian food, and more, and plenty of seating at tables or on grassy knolls, the market is a popular destination for neighbors and families to enjoy brunch or lunch and hang out, in addition to stocking up on farm-fresh and organic produce. Open Saturdays 9am-2pm year-round.
Whole Foods
Right across the street, FARADAY residents can access the best produce, meats, seafood, baked goods, dairy, canned goods, frozen foods, health-care products and supplements, cosmetics, gifts, books, kitchen items, toys, pet supplies, baby gear, and clothing, many of the items locally-made and organic — all housed in a massive warehouse space that was formerly a Cadillac dealership.
This particular Whole Foods, one of three in the East Bay, features an array of prepared foods offerings, both cold and hot, as well as fresh pizzas, whole roast chickens, a burrito bar, house-made sushi and noodles, and custom sandwiches. The location also has a massive fine cheeses area, olive bar, and an impressive selection of wines and beers.
Dessert offerings include a broad selection of baked goods, both from the onsite bakery and via nearly countless gourmet and local artisanal bakeries; plus gelato, and self-serve mochi ice cream and French macaron stations.
Floodcraft, a beer and wine establishment inside the store offers a pub-like micro-environment, complete with big-screen TVs. Local producer ALLEGRO Coffee supplies the in-store coffee and tea bar.
RESTAURANTS
(these are some of our favorites!)
Entertainment
CLASSIC ENTERTAINMENT VENUES
A rich history of arts and entertainment continues to this day as major headliners, burgeoning local acts and local cultural showcases take the stage. THE FARADAY is within easy reach of Oakland’s finest storied venues.
Paramount Theatre
An intricate jewel of a theater designed and built in the popular Art Deco style of the era, The Paramount opened in 1931 as a premier movie house, then later fell into disrepair. After a painstaking and complete restoration in the 1970s, the Paramount reopened in service to all of the performing arts, from live music performances, dance, and more, in all genres including the Oakland Symphony and Oakland Ballet, plus rock, soul, hip-hop, pop, blues, gospel, stand-up comedy, and more, and classic movie showings. Murals, mosaics, sculptures, painted drapes, created by famous artists of the Deco era, make simply entering the Paramount an art pilgrimage in itself. (More about the building’s decorative artists).
New Parkway Theater
An Oakland favorite for years, this unique movie theater presents a rotating mix of recent releases and classic favorites. Cuddle up on a cozy couch or overstuffed armchair and enjoy hamburgers, pizza, sandwiches, salads, and a wide array of appetizers and desserts along with your favorite micro-brewed beer while you watch your favorite movie.
Grand Lake Theater
Built in 1926 and restored and expanded in the 1980s, the Grand Lake Theater is a true movie palace, with the “Mighty Wurlitzer” organ in the massive main auditorium (enjoy live performances on Friday and Saturday nights before the screenings) and smaller auditoriums with themes and architectural details that match the original vintage style. The Grand Lake Theater screens first-run films, especially featuring 3-D presentations, as it is the ONLY theater in Northern California to possess a two-projector 3-D system (Read more).
Fox Theater
An architectural masterpiece built in 1928 and renovated in 2009, The Fox Theater’s re-opening marked the launch of the Uptown Oakland renaissance. A 2800-square-foot live music venue, The Fox building also houses an art school, The Den, a bar and restaurant for theater patrons only, and a courtyard. The Telegraph Room is a Premier upgrade offering a private bar, preferred viewing section, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and private bathrooms. Act that headline The Fox are often nationally-known, top-of-the charts performers, with occasional local acts and community events in the mix.