Temescal Neighborhood in Oakland

Temescal Neighborhood in Oakland, CA

When we picked up a friend from San Francisco at the MacArthur BART station recently, we asked her if she wanted to grab some lunch in the neighborhood, the neighborhood known as Temescal. “Yeah!” she exclaimed. “I hear everything cool in the East Bay is happening in Temescal!”

That very well may be. If you are from San Francisco, like our friend, think of Temescal as similar to the Valencia Street corridor: cool restaurants, fascinating boutiques and galleries, vibrant culture, a dizzyingly diverse group of people, and just a lot of fun.

Temescal radiates out from the intersection of Telegraph and 51st Street in North Oakland, just south of the Berkeley border. Right at that corner is Bakesale Betty, one of the eateries most associated with the recent Temescal revival. Perhaps it was their sinfully delicious fried chicken sandwich that started the revolution? If the line is too long, try the lines at Dona Tomas, Pizzaiolo or Genova Deli before they those lines get too long. Not in the mood for food? Check out the recently renovated Studio One Arts Center. A great way to sample the neighborhood is at the annual Temescal Street Fair each June.

The neighborhood originally sprang up around the Temescal Creek in the mid twentieth century, when it evolved from a working class Italian neighborhood into the eclectic celebration of diversity and culture that it is today. Maybe this is why This Old House just called Temescal one of the best “old house” neighborhoods in the country! Because of its background, the area is populated with adorable single-family bungalows, mostly in the Craftsman style. Due to its close proximity to Rockridge, Berkeley and BART, the Temescal neighborhood has held its real estate values well.

Speaking of BART, Temescal is a very pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, thanks to being smack dab in the middle of two convenient BART stations. There is also the Telegraph Avenue RAPID bus line, among other offerings from AC Transit. Plus, there are bike lanes galore and it is very flat and walkable. You would be surprised how close you are to everything in Temescal!

Are we saving the best for last? Perhaps. Some people consider the Temescal Farmer’s Market to be the best one in the area (yes, even better than that big one in the City at the Ferry building). Yet, some of you in the audience think that the Temescal Pool is the best thing in the neighborhood, especially with Temescal’s warmer micro-climate. Let’s enjoy them both and decide later.