Embarcadero

With a mix of homes, businesses and colorful art galleries near bobbing boats docked in the Brooklyn Basin, Embarcadero is a great place to enjoy Oakland’s lively art scene with easy access to nearby public transit, local highways and the city’s downtown.

Located west of Fruitvale and south of Lake Merritt, this artsy neighborhood encompasses a vibrant creative hub called Jingletown that's known for its artists’ lofts, studios, murals and galleries. The district allegedly got its name from 19th-century farmers in the area who would bring in their dairy cows using jingling bells. Imaginative artist co-ops can be found here, like Jingletown Art Studios and Gray Loft Gallery, named one of the best in Oakland in 2022. In addition to its gallery offerings, the neighborhood also hosts the occasional art walk.

Residential streets in the neighborhood often share space with commercial, industrial and warehouse buildings, some of which have been converted into creative spaces. There's a mix of single-family homes, including California bungalows, Craftsman houses and elegant Victorians with ornate accoutrements, some of which have been renovated and updated with modern amenities. There are also several newer apartment and townhouse buildings in the neighborhood with a contemporary look, including the chic 401 Derby complex. Many of these homes offer great access to the canal waterfront walk, where small boats skitter across the gentle waves. Homes in the neighborhood typically sell for between $550,000 and $800,000, making it competitively priced for the Bay Area.

Several small cafes and restaurants are tucked away in this urban landscape, including Kefa Coffee, known for its strong java and breakfast sandwiches, and Voila Café, a juice bar and espresso shop. At the waterfront, there's Quinn’s Lighthouse Restaurant & Pub, a seafood restaurant housed in a historic lighthouse built in 1890. For groceries, nearby Fruitvale Station Shopping Center features a FoodMaxx. For everything else, a trip to trendy Alameda may be in order, given its abundance of restaurants, shops and grocers, all less than 2 miles away.

Union Point Park and the Union Point Marina offer a playground for the kids or an afternoon stroll with views of the harbor. The park also features a distinctive, swirling garden that leads to an elevated platform. For boating enthusiasts, it’s a great place to set sail into the San Francisco Bay.

Students living in the neighborhood can attend Think College Now elementary school, which earns a C from Niche. Its emphasis is on preparing early on for post-secondary education, and the school is a past recipient of the prestigious California Distinguished Schools award. For middle school, students can attend Urban Promise Academy, which also gets a C from Niche, before moving on to Fremont High, which Niche grades with a C-plus.

Embarcadero is convenient for commuters. It’s very close to Interstate 880 and the Fruitvale BART Station, making it no trouble to get around the Bay Area from San Francisco to San Jose.

Written By

Daniel Berti

Photography Contributed By

Sheldon Steere

Video By

Matthew Bloch