Rockridge Neighborhood
Rockridge
Rockridge is a vibrant and artistic residential neighborhood in north Oakland with a bustling commercial district filled with unique local shops and restaurants. This area provides a strong community feel; neighbors know and look out for each other. The homes in this area are about as charming as they get. Many are craftsman style homes and bungalows, and most streets are lined with mature trees and well-maintained gardens.
Take a stroll down College Avenue, and you’ll find families with strollers, dog walkers, and happy couples, lattes in hand. Some of my favorite spots include Bica Coffeehouse, Diesel Bookstore, Market Hall, and Zachary’s Pizza, though there are too many great spots to name.
On the southern end of the College Avenue shopping area, you’ll find a Trader Joe’s, as well as Rockridge BART Station. Highway 24 is also nearby, making commutes throughout the East Bay and to San Francisco a breeze.
On Sunday mornings, the local farmers market takes over the DMV parking lot at the border of Rockridge and Temescal. This veritable foodie’s paradise offers Blue Bottle coffee, food stands from local favorites Cholita Linda and Starter Bakery, a range of fresh produce, homemade pasta, flowers, and other local treats.
If you have kids or pups in tow, bring your farmers market snacks down the street to one of Oakland’s most popular parks, Frog Park. The wooden play structure here is full of nooks and crannies and things to climb. There’s also an enclosed dog park nearby and a little creek where kids and dogs alike can play on hot days.
More About Rockridge
College Avenue Shopping Area
There are way too many cool shops and restaurants in this area to list, so we’ll just include a few of our favorites.
Coffee
- Philz Coffee
- 4.5 stars on Yelp
- Bica Coffeehouse
- 4 stars on Yelp
- Highwire Coffee Roasters (in Market Hall)
- 4 stars on Yelp
Food and Drinks
- Market Hall
- Bustling scene for gourmet treats
- 4 stars on Yelp
- Zachary’s Chicago Pizza
- Deeeeeep dish
- 4.5 stars on Yelp
- Rockridge Cafe
- Serves breakfast all day and has been part of the Oakland community since 1973
- 3.5 stars on Yelp
- Noodle Theory
- Yummy noodles. What’s not to like?
- 4 stars on Yelp
- Smitten Ice Cream
- They use liquid nitrogen to churn the ice cream. How cool is that?!
- 4 stars on Yelp
- Mikkeller Tasting Room and Bottle Shop
- Great selection of beers on tap, beer flights, small menu of snacks
- 4 stars on Yelp
- Rockridge Ice Cream Tour
- Ice cream? Tour?? Yes please! Your kids will love you forever.
Shopping
- Diesel Bookstore
- Maison D’Etre
- This store takes “cute” to the next level. Great source for home goods and gifts.
- 4 stars on Yelp
- SOBU
- Beautiful and unique modern furniture and home decor store.
- 5 stars on Yelp
- Sleep Play Love
- Great kids consignment store with clothing and gear for the littles.
- 4 stars on Yelp
- Bird & Bean
- Beautiful children’s boutique shop with locally designed clothing and accessories.
- 4.5 stars on Yelp
Outdoor Adventures
One of the benefits of living in this area is its proximity to parks, lakes, and UC Berkeley – great for hikes, picnics, and swimming.
Temescal Regional Recreation Area
- In Upper Rockridge, you’ll find this hidden gem, complete with hiking trails and BBQ and picnic areas.
- The main attraction of this area is Lake Temescal.
- An easy dog-friendly 20-minute walk will take you all the way around Lake Temescal.
- Along the way, you’ll see picnic and BBQ areas, a small beach, lots of wildlife, and even a waterfall!
Tilden Park
- Tilden Park in Berkeley just a short drive north of Rockridge offers something for everyone – tons of hiking trails, dog friendly areas, picnic tables, and even swimming areas.
- Little Farm – bring some celery and feed the animals!
- Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round – open every day in the summer and weekends the rest of the year
- Tilden Steam Trains – take a ride on these real miniature steam trains and check out the gorgeous views!
- Jewel Lake – there’s a trail around the lake, great for a quick and easy hike
- Lake Anza – larger than Jewel Lake, offers a swimming area
- Tilden Golf Course – great for kids and adults alike
- Nimitz Trail – a very popular family hike offering panoramic views of the Bay, Berkeley, and San Francisco
UC Berkeley
- UC Berkeley is just a short drive north of Rockridge and offers fun for everyone.
- Strawberry Canyon Recreation Area
- Strawberry Canyon Pool – outdoor pool open in the summer
- Strawberry Canyon Ropes Course – swing, climb, and hang among the redwoods
- Campanile Tower
- Iconic bell tower on Berkeley campus, 3rd tallest clock and bell tower in the world!
- Take an elevator ride up to the observation platform for sweeping views of the Bay Area.
Public Schools
Chabot Elementary | Grades K-5
- “Anthony Chabot Elementary School, located in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, is a public elementary school that works! Chabot’s Kindergarten through 5th grade provides its approximately 570 students with a strong academic foundation in a caring environment that fosters innovation and risk taking.”
- GreatSchools Rating: 10/10
- Average parent/community rating: 4/5 stars
- Test scores: Far above state average
- School size: ~570 students
Hillcrest Elementary | Grades K-8
- “The mission of Hillcrest School is to provide an enriched learning environment that challenges the potential of all its students.”
- GreatSchools Rating: 10/10
- Average parent/community rating: 4/5 stars
- Test scores: Far above state average
- School size: ~360 students
Peralta Elementary | Grades K-5
- “A glimpse from the street is enough to reveal that Peralta is well-loved. Our building is nothing special, but the colorful murals and lush gardens are. Inside the classrooms, teachers use state and district standards as a base with with lots of room to follow their own passions and creativity.”
- GreatSchools Rating: 10/10
- Average parent/community rating: 5/5 stars
- Test scores: Far above state average
- School size: ~330 students
Claremont Middle | Grades 6-8
- “Claremont Middle School is a public middle school for grades six through eight, located adjacent to the Rockridge BART Station near the northern border of Oakland, California. The school serves about 440 students within the Oakland Unified School District.”
- GreatSchools Rating: 6/10
- Average parent/community rating: 4/5 stars
- Test scores: About the same as state average
- School size: ~440 students
Private Schools
St. Theresa School | Grades K-8
Holy Names High School | Grades 9-12
The College Preparatory School | Grades 9-12
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