Allison's Guidebook
Food Scene
Food halls in Castro Valley that offer a variety of dining options in one place.
The Castro Valley Marketplace is our newest food hall, offering a breadth of gourmet and specialty food options. Here you will find a natural grocery store with fresh organic produce, vitamins/supplements, and specialty grocery items plus prepared foods. There is also a meat market, a bakery, a spice shop, an oil and vinegar purveyor, a wine shop, a sushi restaurant, and more. You can pick up all the makings for any meal of the day, or enjoy a meal onsite in the outdoor seating area.
Castro Valley Marketplace
The Castro Valley Marketplace is our newest food hall, offering a breadth of gourmet and specialty food options. Here you will find a natural grocery store with fresh organic produce, vitamins/supplements, and specialty grocery items plus prepared foods. There is also a meat market, a bakery, a spice shop, an oil and vinegar purveyor, a wine shop, a sushi restaurant, and more. You can pick up all the makings for any meal of the day, or enjoy a meal onsite in the outdoor seating area.
This is the closest dining option to the guesthouse, and offers a range of reasonably priced, quick eats such as ramen, poke bowls, and Korean barbecue. You can also pick up fresh meats and vegetables to grill back at the guesthouse.
6 lokale anbefaler
Lake Chabot Public Market
18911 Lake Chabot RdThis is the closest dining option to the guesthouse, and offers a range of reasonably priced, quick eats such as ramen, poke bowls, and Korean barbecue. You can also pick up fresh meats and vegetables to grill back at the guesthouse.
The Castro Valley Village is the oldest collection of restaurants in town, including a Starbucks, The Posh Bagel, Mr. Pickles Sandwich Shop, Vitality Bowls, Nick the Greek, Don Jose's Mexican food, Aroma Indian Cuisine, MOD Pizza, 88 Bao Bao Dimsum, as well as treats including See's Candies, Loard's Ice Cream, and Always Yours Macarons.
Castro Village Shopping Center
Santa Maria AvenueThe Castro Valley Village is the oldest collection of restaurants in town, including a Starbucks, The Posh Bagel, Mr. Pickles Sandwich Shop, Vitality Bowls, Nick the Greek, Don Jose's Mexican food, Aroma Indian Cuisine, MOD Pizza, 88 Bao Bao Dimsum, as well as treats including See's Candies, Loard's Ice Cream, and Always Yours Macarons.
Local Restaurants
A casual, family-run, classic American barbecue and craft beer joint with indoor and outdoor seating by a big fire pit.
Canyons Barbeque
A casual, family-run, classic American barbecue and craft beer joint with indoor and outdoor seating by a big fire pit.
Enjoy yummy breakfast and lunch fare plus tempting pastries and desserts at this casual, order-at-the-counter establishment.
14 lokale anbefaler
Denica's Real Food Kitchen
2723 Castro Valley BlvdEnjoy yummy breakfast and lunch fare plus tempting pastries and desserts at this casual, order-at-the-counter establishment.
Creative, fresh, quality sushi, sashimi, rolls, and other delicious, unique Japanese fare in a cozy hole-in-the-wall setting, located in the Castro Valley Village.
6 lokale anbefaler
iSushi
20649 Rustic DrCreative, fresh, quality sushi, sashimi, rolls, and other delicious, unique Japanese fare in a cozy hole-in-the-wall setting, located in the Castro Valley Village.
Old-school Italian market and deli serves up great made-to-order sandwiches (try the Dutch Crunch bread!), pre-made salads in the deli case, and desserts to take with you on an adventure, as well as prepared traditional Italian dinner foods like lasagna and meat dishes you can heat up here.
Luccas Italian Delicatessen
3121 Castro Valley BlvdOld-school Italian market and deli serves up great made-to-order sandwiches (try the Dutch Crunch bread!), pre-made salads in the deli case, and desserts to take with you on an adventure, as well as prepared traditional Italian dinner foods like lasagna and meat dishes you can heat up here.
Enjoy an elevated dining experience at Oculto, located on the second floor mezzanine of the Castro Valley Marketplace. Serving tapas-style plates and craft cocktails, Oculto was named by the San Francisco Chronicle as one of the Top 25 Bay Area Restaurants in Fall of 2022.
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Tyskland
Enjoy an elevated dining experience at Oculto, located on the second floor mezzanine of the Castro Valley Marketplace. Serving tapas-style plates and craft cocktails, Oculto was named by the San Francisco Chronicle as one of the Top 25 Bay Area Restaurants in Fall of 2022.
Don't miss our local gem, Seven Hills Baking Company, and their unparalleled baked goods. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they bake Kouign-Amann, a buttery, flaky, crispy and heavenly treat not to be missed! While you're at it, pick up a loaf of bread for a picnic on the guesthouse deck.
Seven Hills Baking Co.
3295 Castro Valley BlvdDon't miss our local gem, Seven Hills Baking Company, and their unparalleled baked goods. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they bake Kouign-Amann, a buttery, flaky, crispy and heavenly treat not to be missed! While you're at it, pick up a loaf of bread for a picnic on the guesthouse deck.
Reservations are required at Tancho, where you can experience a high-end, one-of-a-kind culinary experience. Dining on a set sushi omakase menu, you place your trust in the chefs' skills and selections as they faithfully prepare the ingredients to serve guests the best available of the season.
Tancho Japanese Restaurant
Reservations are required at Tancho, where you can experience a high-end, one-of-a-kind culinary experience. Dining on a set sushi omakase menu, you place your trust in the chefs' skills and selections as they faithfully prepare the ingredients to serve guests the best available of the season.
This new hot spot serves dinner only. With outdoor seating, craft cocktails, and an innovative sharing menu, this is a great date-night spot. Reservations recommended.
13 lokale anbefaler
Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar
855 MacArthur BlvdThis new hot spot serves dinner only. With outdoor seating, craft cocktails, and an innovative sharing menu, this is a great date-night spot. Reservations recommended.
Located upstairs in the Castro Valley Marketplace, this local establishment offers pizza by the slice, calzones, sandwiches and wings from noon - 4. Also open for dinner.
Pizza The Bay
Located upstairs in the Castro Valley Marketplace, this local establishment offers pizza by the slice, calzones, sandwiches and wings from noon - 4. Also open for dinner.
Located in nearby San Leandro, this Italian restaurant with white tablecloths and an extensive wine list has been a go-to date night destination in the East Bay since 1997.
45 lokale anbefaler
Paradiso
685 Bancroft AveLocated in nearby San Leandro, this Italian restaurant with white tablecloths and an extensive wine list has been a go-to date night destination in the East Bay since 1997.
East Bay Nature
Here are some nearby places that are just as beautiful as others you might drive miles farther to see, but without the crowds.
The Cull Canyon swim area won a design award and is located right here in Castro Valley. If it’s summer and you want to pretend like you’re at the beach without actually driving there, check out our local favorite, Cull Canyon.
Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area
18825 Cull Canyon RdThe Cull Canyon swim area won a design award and is located right here in Castro Valley. If it’s summer and you want to pretend like you’re at the beach without actually driving there, check out our local favorite, Cull Canyon.
There’s a marina with a cafe/grill, boat rentals, picnic tables, and miles of hiking and biking trails. We like to start hikes just up the hill at the gate at the very end of Grovenor Drive.
86 lokale anbefaler
Lake Chabot Regional Park
17600 Lake Chabot RdThere’s a marina with a cafe/grill, boat rentals, picnic tables, and miles of hiking and biking trails. We like to start hikes just up the hill at the gate at the very end of Grovenor Drive.
Find your zen at the oldest Japanese garden in California, a serene place to meander paths, watch koi swim, and appreciate the design and architecture of a thoughtfully-created environment.
39 lokale anbefaler
Hayward Japanese Gardens
22373 N 3rd StFind your zen at the oldest Japanese garden in California, a serene place to meander paths, watch koi swim, and appreciate the design and architecture of a thoughtfully-created environment.
Redwood Regional Park is an oasis of redwood trees on this side of the bay. If parking and getting to Muir Woods sounds like too much of a hassle, consider Redwood as a more serene alternative.
Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood RoadRedwood Regional Park is an oasis of redwood trees on this side of the bay. If parking and getting to Muir Woods sounds like too much of a hassle, consider Redwood as a more serene alternative.
San Francisco
The birthplace of the '60s Summer of Love in San Francisco (and your host Allison!), the Haight Ashbury is still a vibrant center of alternative lifestyles, fashion, and food. This is a great neighborhood to walk around to shop and people watch.
379 lokale anbefaler
Haight-Ashbury
The birthplace of the '60s Summer of Love in San Francisco (and your host Allison!), the Haight Ashbury is still a vibrant center of alternative lifestyles, fashion, and food. This is a great neighborhood to walk around to shop and people watch.
In the Mission, hipsters abound at the many cool boutiques, coffee and barber shops, countless delicious restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. If you're looking to go out at night in SF, it's hard to beat the Mission.
355 lokale anbefaler
Mission District
In the Mission, hipsters abound at the many cool boutiques, coffee and barber shops, countless delicious restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. If you're looking to go out at night in SF, it's hard to beat the Mission.
Around the Bay
Want to see giant old-growth redwoods in a coastal setting, without the crowds and reservations? Henry Cowell is a local hidden gem, with a short flat loop trail that meanders through the redwoods. At the end of the loop, you will find picnic tables and benches to enjoy a break and a picnic under the trees, a feature you will not find at Muir Woods.
335 lokale anbefaler
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdWant to see giant old-growth redwoods in a coastal setting, without the crowds and reservations? Henry Cowell is a local hidden gem, with a short flat loop trail that meanders through the redwoods. At the end of the loop, you will find picnic tables and benches to enjoy a break and a picnic under the trees, a feature you will not find at Muir Woods.
Shopping
This adorable, well-lit, and organized gift shop sells a variety of handmade jewelry, home decor and gift/souvenir items at reasonable prices.
14 lokale anbefaler
Urban Indigo
20405 Lakeshore AveThis adorable, well-lit, and organized gift shop sells a variety of handmade jewelry, home decor and gift/souvenir items at reasonable prices.
Locally sourced and small batch art and gifts, featuring handmade items from over a dozen local artists and regional wholesalers. The owner Lynette is a gem.
3560 Somerset Ave, Castro Valley, CA 94546, USA
Locally sourced and small batch art and gifts, featuring handmade items from over a dozen local artists and regional wholesalers. The owner Lynette is a gem.
Castro Valley's first clothing and home boutique sells an array of neutral, minimalistic clothing and quality home items including soaps, jewelry and plants in an airy and bright atmosphere. They also hold special events and have a coffee cart.
OLIVE + FINN
Castro Valley's first clothing and home boutique sells an array of neutral, minimalistic clothing and quality home items including soaps, jewelry and plants in an airy and bright atmosphere. They also hold special events and have a coffee cart.
Råd om byen
Sådan kommer du omkring
Take BART to San Francisco!
Save yourself some stress! If you're planning to visit San Francisco during your stay, ditch your car at the BART station in Castro Valley and take the BART train in! There are multiple stops in the city, and you can use busses, taxis, streetcars, bike taxis, or Uber/Lyft to get around once you're there. BART runs until about 2 AM most nights. Tickets and parking must be purchased in the station, so allow yourself a few extra minutes.
Book, inden du rejser
Alcatraz - book ahead!
Reserve tickets for Alcatraz before your visit - tours book up quickly! We recommend the night tour of Alcatraz for a unique experience including a quick boat cruise around Alcatraz before docking, docent-led tours on interesting topics, and a sunset view over the city!
Book, inden du rejser
Muir Woods - book ahead!
Muir Woods has gotten so popular in recent years that they now require reservations for both the shuttle and parking. Book yours so you're not disappointed!
Alternately, you could visit one of the other local redwood parks in the area, like Redwood Regional Park here in Castro Valley, or Henry Cowell Redwoods Park in Felton, if you plan to head south toward Santa Cruz.
Det skal du pakke
Pack Clothing Layers
The weather in the Bay Area is notoriously changeable. It can be clear and sunny in the morning, and foggy and windy in the afternoon, or vice versa - even in the summer. Pack lightweight, warm layers, including a wind breaker to stay comfortable in our climate.
Sådan kommer du omkring
Take the ferry to San Francisco!
The ferry from the Main Street Alameda Ferry terminal to San Francisco's Ferry Building is a relaxing way to cross the bay! On weekends, there is a free hopper ferry from the Ferry Building to Pier 39 - a great way to experience the city's waterfront and get to one of the city's most iconic tourist spots. The Ferry Building itself is a gastronomic paradise, sure to satisfy any appetite upon arrival.
Parking is free at the ferry terminal in Alameda and you can purchase tickets onboard. Search "Alameda to San Francisco Ferry" to find the schedule.