What are fun things to do with friends in Oakland?
We checked 54 real places in Oakland, CA from OpenStreetMap, including 8 places to eat, 8 bars and nightlife spots (21+) and 8 sights. Squad Plan's three day plans below draw on these places, and your group can vote on the one you like best.
Last updated 2026-10-14
We found 8 places to eat, 8 bars and nightlife spots (21+), 8 sights, 8 parks and outdoor spots, 6 game spots, 8 sports venues and 8 places to shop in Oakland, from OpenStreetMap map data.
Three ready-made day plans
Costs are rough estimates per person in US dollars. Check hours and prices before you go.
Plan A
Dunsmuir House to White Horse Inn
Slow pace, good food, plenty of time to talk. Group of 4 for friends hangout.
Estimated total per person: $69–210
10:00Visit Dunsmuir House
Peralta Oaks Drive, Oakland, CA 94577
Free to $25 (estimate)
11:00Explore Scott Lindsey Park
Oakland, California
Free
12:30Lunch at Yuri's restaurant
9101 International Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94621
$12–20 (estimate)
14:00Get active at Larry Reid Sports Center
9255 Edes Avenue, Oakland, CA 94603
$10–25 (estimate)
15:00Browse Cali Fresh Produce
204;230 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Free to $40 (estimate)
16:00Catch a show at New Parkway Theater
474 24th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
$15–30 (estimate)
18:30Dinner at Jolly Rogers
Edes Avenue, Oakland, CA 94621
$20–40 (estimate)
20:30Drinks at White Horse Inn
6547 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94705
$12–30 (estimate)
Plan B
The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment to SomaR Bar
A fuller day of sights and new places. Group of 4 for friends hangout.
Estimated total per person: $69–210
10:00Visit The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment
921 Washington Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Free to $25 (estimate)
11:00Explore Willow Mini Park
West Oakland, Oakland, California
Free
12:30Lunch at Mountain Mike's
646 Hegenberger Road, Oakland, CA 94621
$12–20 (estimate)
14:00Get active at Jack London Aquatic Center
115 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA 94606
$10–25 (estimate)
15:00Browse Oakland First Fridays
Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
Free to $40 (estimate)
16:00Catch a show at Piedmont Theatre
4198 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
$15–30 (estimate)
18:30Dinner at Mariscos El Tata
10555 International Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94621
$20–40 (estimate)
20:30Drinks at SomaR Bar
1727 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
$12–30 (estimate)
Plan C
Mills College Art Museum to Golden Ratio
High energy from start to finish. Group of 4 for friends hangout.
Estimated total per person: $69–210
10:00Visit Mills College Art Museum
5000 MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94613
Free to $25 (estimate)
11:00Explore St. Andrew's Plaza
West Oakland, Oakland, California
Free
12:30Lunch at A16 Pizzeria
John Glenn Drive, Oakland, CA 94614
$12–20 (estimate)
14:00Get active at T. Gary Rogers Rowing Center
2999 Glascock Street, Oakland, CA 94601
$10–25 (estimate)
15:00Browse Yuen Hop Noodle Company & Asian Food Products
824 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Free to $40 (estimate)
16:00Catch a show at Grand Lake Theatre
3218 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
$15–30 (estimate)
18:30Dinner at Chile Jalapeño
6706 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94608
$20–40 (estimate)
20:30Drinks at Golden Ratio
1517 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612
$12–30 (estimate)
Family friendly things to do in Oakland
Real places in Oakland for a day out with kids.
Visit North Oakland Recreation Center
Free to visit, with room to run around. Bring snacks and water.
FreeOakland, CA 94609
Eat at Ma'Adi Selam
A sit-down meal for the whole family. Call ahead for a big group.
$12–20 (estimate)5831 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609
Go to Regal Cinemas 9 Jack London Square
Movies, games or bowling for a rainy or hot afternoon. Check showtimes and hours first.
$15–30 (estimate)100 Embarcadero West, Oakland, CA 94607
Snack stop at Nomad Cafe
A quick stop for drinks and a snack between activities.
$8–18 (estimate)6500 Shattuck Avenue, Oakland, CA 94705
Yuri's restaurant9101 International Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94621
Jolly RogersEdes Avenue, Oakland, CA 94621
Mountain Mike's646 Hegenberger Road, Oakland, CA 94621
Mariscos El Tata10555 International Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94621
A16 PizzeriaJohn Glenn Drive, Oakland, CA 94614
Chile Jalapeño6706 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94608
Nomad Cafe6500 Shattuck Avenue, Oakland, CA 94705
Ma'Adi Selam5831 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609
Bars and nightlife (21+)
White Horse Inn6547 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94705
Arthur Mac's Tap & Snack4006 Martin Luther King Junior Way, Oakland, CA 94609
SomaR Bar1727 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
Twelve Bar Lounge1001 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
Sobre Mesa1618 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Golden Ratio1517 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612
The Den at the Fox1807 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
Ceremony1220 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
Sights
Dunsmuir HousePeralta Oaks Drive, Oakland, CA 94577
Ebony Museum Of Art1034 14th Street, Oakland, CA 94607
The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment921 Washington Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Peralta Hacienda Cultural Museum34th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601
Oakland Museum of California1000 Oak Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Mills College Art Museum5000 MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94613
Oakland Aviation MuseumDoolittle Drive, Oakland, CA 94614
Cohen Bray House1440 29th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601
Parks and outdoor spots
Scott Lindsey ParkOakland, California
North Oakland Recreation CenterOakland, CA 94609
Jefferson Square PlaygroundDowntown Oakland, Oakland, California
Willow Mini ParkWest Oakland, Oakland, California
25th Street Mini ParkDowntown Oakland, Oakland, California
St. Andrew's PlazaWest Oakland, Oakland, California
Eastshore ParkDowntown Oakland, Oakland, California
McCrea Memorial ParkOakland, CA 94613
Game spots
New Parkway Theater474 24th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Regal Cinemas 9 Jack London Square100 Embarcadero West, Oakland, CA 94607
Piedmont Theatre4198 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Tien MegaDome TheaterWest Ridge Trail, Oakland, CA 94516
Grand Lake Theatre3218 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Plank98 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
Sports venues
Larry Reid Sports Center9255 Edes Avenue, Oakland, CA 94603
Temescal Pool371 45th Street, Oakland, CA 94609
Jack London Aquatic Center115 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA 94606
Pacific Pipe2140 Mandela Parkway, Oakland, CA 94607
Fremont Municipal Pool4550 Foothill Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94601
T. Gary Rogers Rowing Center2999 Glascock Street, Oakland, CA 94601
Saint Leo's Hall171 Ridgeway Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
ROK Your Body Oakland3303 Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Places to shop
Cali Fresh Produce204;230 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Golden State Fresh321 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Oakland First FridaysTelegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
Fruitvale Public MarketAvenida De La Fuente, Oakland, CA 94601
Farmers Produce380 3rd Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Yuen Hop Noodle Company & Asian Food Products824 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94607
RCI Produce2nd Street, Oakland, CA 94607
West Wind Coliseum Swap MeetNimitz Freeway, Oakland, CA 94601
How much does a day out with friends cost in Oakland?
Across the three day plans above, a day out with friends in Oakland costs about $69 to $210 per person, from the lowest plan to the highest. Each total adds up the typical price of its stops, so treat it as a rough estimate and check prices before you go.
Frequently asked questions
What can a group do in Oakland for free?
Free places on our list include Scott Lindsey Park, North Oakland Recreation Center and Jefferson Square Playground. Plans also leave time to wander around town at no cost.
Where can friends eat in Oakland?
Good places to start are Yuri's restaurant, Jolly Rogers and Mountain Mike's. The day plans above include food stops from this list.
What is there to see in Oakland?
Sights on our list include Dunsmuir House, Ebony Museum Of Art and The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment. The full list is in the places section below.
What are good things to do with kids in Oakland?
Try visit North Oakland Recreation Center, eat at Ma'Adi Selam and go to Regal Cinemas 9 Jack London Square. Every idea here is a real mapped place, with a rough cost per person.
What are good date night ideas in Oakland?
Try coffee at Nomad Cafe, walk through 25th Street Mini Park and look around Ebony Museum Of Art. Start small with coffee or a walk, and save dinner for when it is going well.
What are good things to do with a large group in Oakland?
Try play at Tien MegaDome Theater, park time at Eastshore Park and dinner at Yuri's restaurant. Book ahead for a group this size, and send the link so everyone can vote on the plan.
What can friends do on a weekend in Oakland?
Try saturday morning: Peralta Hacienda Cultural Museum, saturday lunch: Yuri's restaurant and saturday afternoon: McCrea Memorial Park. Every stop is a real mapped place, with a rough cost per person.
What are good birthday ideas for adults in Oakland?
Try birthday dinner at Yuri's restaurant, play at New Parkway Theater and drinks at The Den at the Fox (21+). Every idea here is a real mapped place, with a rough cost per person.
What can friends under 21 do together in Oakland?
Try play at Plank, see a movie at New Parkway Theater and get active at Temescal Pool. Every idea here is a real mapped place. Costs are rough estimates.
Can Squad Plan make a custom plan for Oakland?
Yes. Pick the city, your group and the vibe, and Squad Plan gives you three plans your friends can vote on. It is free for 5 plans a week.