The eastern part of the San Francisco Bay region, California’s East Bay Area includes only two of the area’s nine counties. Home to Oakland, Berkeley and Emeryville, East Bay also boasts some of California’s most notable cities.
Livermore, for example, is home to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and a thriving wine and vineyard scene. Oakland, meanwhile, boasts one of the nation’s premier American Football teams in the Oakland Raiders.
While many of East Bay’s cities have their own distinct personalities, one common thread ties them together. Boasting a passion for cuisine, Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto neighbourhood is home to Chez Panisse, often cited as the restaurant that invented California Cuisine. Oakland’s Jack London Square is now a thriving foodie destination, home to wood-fired pizza at Forge and fresh seafood at Scott’s Seafood.
Getting there
From San Francisco, simply drive across the Bay Bridge to reach the East Bay. Another option is to take the BART, as the Downtown Berkeley station is your best bet for exploration.