When you’re looking for a new neighborhood to call home, one of the most criteria to consider is: Shopping. 

Where to buy groceries, home goods, and other necessities, or to get services like medical care or fixing your car. You probably want many of these to be close to home so you don’t spend your days driving around the Bay Area just to buy the basics.

No matter where you live in the East Bay, you’ll find all of it nearby, from major shopping centers to neighborhood strip malls to bustling commercial corridors along major avenues.

You’ll find dozens of local shopping streets and districts scattered throughout the East Bay, so this is only a partial list. And besides shopping, many of them host street fairs, holiday festivals, and other pedestrian-oriented, family-friendly events all year long.

East Bay

San Pablo Avenue

Commercial Corridor

We should begin with the East Bay's major north-south commercial thoroughfare, which runs through all the cities, following the East Bay Shoreline  from Oakland way up to Rodeo — through Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole, and Hercules along the way. Each of these cities has its own stretch of shopping on San Pablo: malls, large stores, auto services, retail, restaurants, medical practitioners, and everything else you could need. Wherever you live in the East Bay, you’re never that far from San Pablo Avenue.


Albany

Solano Avenue (Lower)

Commercial Corridor

Beginning where it crosses San Pablo Avenue (the other major corridor), Solano Avenue is the main shopping and dining artery running through Albany and north Berkeley. It features a compact, pedestrian-friendly stretch of independent shops, restaurants, and cafes. The annual Solano Stroll—when the street is closed to cars—is a major event that draws visitors from all over the Bay Area.

Berkeley

Telegraph Avenue

Commercial Corridor

This fabled shopping street is known for its historic counter-culture atmosphere, featuring street vendors, souvenir shops, bookstores, and budget eateries near the UC Berkeley campus.


Fourth Street

Commercial Corridor

An upscale, outdoor shopping district with wide sidewalks, featuring national and local specialty and artisan retail, housewares, and dining.

 

Gourmet Ghetto

Commercial District

The area is famous as the birthplace of California cuisine, with specialty food stores, high-end restaurants, and local markets at the north end of Shattuck, above UC Berkeley and below Live Oak Park.


Solano Avenue (Upper)

Commercial Corridor

A lively stretch of independent shops and dining (shared with Albany), particularly known for its eclectic and family-focused businesses.


Elmwood District

Commercial District

A retro-chic neighborhood shopping district with independently-owned boutiques, restaurants, and the historic Elmwood Theater.


University Avenue

Commercial Corridor

The major entryway to Berkeley from Interstate 580, running from the freeway to the campus of UC Berkeley, features a diverse mix of businesses. 

El Cerrito

El Cerrito Plaza

Shopping Center

A large, open-air shopping center anchored by major national and regional retail stores like Trader Joe's, Ross, and Marshalls. Located next to the El Cerrito Plaza BART station. 

Oakland

Eastmont Town Center

Shopping Center

A large retail and social services hub in East Oakland.


Rockridge

Commercial District

College Avenue runs through the center of this trendy neighborhood shopping street with independent boutiques, bookstores, cafes, and popular vintage shops.


Piedmont Avenue

Commercial District

Known for its mix of independent retail, restaurants, and vintage stores.

Grand Avenue, Oakland


Grand Lake

Commercial District

Grand and Lakeshore avenues converge at the top of Lake Merritt, and above that they run close to each other from the freeway up toward Piedmont and the Oakland hills. The location near downtown Oakland, not far from two BART stations, makes the Grand Lake area the heart of Oakland, with two main streets full of shops, restaurants, and the historic Grand Lake Theater.


Downtown & Old Oakland

Commercial District

A mix of the modern urban core (Oakland City Center, lower Broadway) and the historic Old Oakland neighborhood with beautifully restored Victorian buildings, local shops, and the Swan's Market food hall. Served by the 12th Street and 19th Street BART stations.

 

Uptown/Temescal

Commercial District

The upper stretch of Telegraph Avenue in north Oakland is known for its unique artisan alleys, bohemian boutiques, and diverse restaurants. 


Montclair Village

Commercial District

Tucked into the wooded hills above Highway 13, the Village looks and feels like a small village, with a variety of locally owned shops and restaurants. The annual Montclair Beer & Wine Festival is one of many free, family-friendly events that take over the Village throughout the year.

Richmond

Pacific East Mall

Shopping Center

A major local shopping mall anchored by an Asian supermarket, heavily focused on Asian-owned shops and restaurants. Located at 3288 Pierce Street in Richmond, near the borders of Albany and El Cerrito. 


23rd Street

Commercial Corridor

This major thoroughfare runs north-south through the center of Richmond, with a wide variety of local businesses, restaurants, and markets. The 23rd Street Merchants Association hosts festivals and celebrations throughout the year.


Point Richmond/Historic Downtown

Commercial Area

Spreading out from Richmond’s southern waterfront, Richmond’s historic downtown area is full of unique local shops, boutiques, and restaurants.


Photo: Grand Avenue