How to Spend Your Day in Baja N.O.B.E.
Wat Mongkolratanaram
The quiet neighborly road of Russell Street is where you can find the Thai Buddhist temple Wat Mongkolratanaram, unbeknownst to most. Open on Sunday mornings from 10 am-1 pm, the temple radiates positive energy and is welcome to anyone. Circling to the back of the colorful building, you will discover a conglomeration of Thai food stands, resembling a farmer’s market, with a unique variety of options. The cool thing is: everything must be purchased in tokens, so you’ll find a stand for converting your cash to plastic tokens. One token is worth $1. All food is less than 10 tokens, and they come in gigantic servings. The most popular snack is the semi-sweet sticky rice with ripe, juicy sliced mango, which costs 5 tokens. The market has a friendly vibe, which is what makes it such a good place to relax on a Sunday morning.
Homeroom
In the mood for a trek? Get in your car and cruise down to 40th street in Oakland for a one of a kind meal at Homeroom. The restaurant usually has a line that snakes around the building, but don’t worry because the food is definitely worth it. Homeroom consists of friendly and attentive service, blissful smells, and of course the many different and delicious mac+cheese. It is best known for its “Homeroom Classic Mac,” which comes with bread crumbs on top. There’s nothing quite like it anywhere else!
Fenton’s Creamery
If you are looking for a kid friendly, sit down restaurant, with ice cream and food, you should try Fentons Creamery located on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland. The atmosphere is super welcoming and the service is amazing. Its menu is full of options, but customers rave about its mouth watering French Burgers and Crab’ Sandwiches that come with curly fries. If you are not in the mood for something savory and have a sweet tooth, they serve different types of creamy sundaes and delicious milkshakes. The options are endless and you won’t be disappointed!
Telegraph Avenue
Telegraph Avenue is probably the busiest street in Berkeley, best known for its popular thrift shops, unique foods, and an artsy vibe. Makeshift vendors can be found on the sidewalk showcasing a variety of interesting knickknacks including jewelry, handmade patches, and rock pets. This street is full of life and color with wall murals that can be found on the side of buildings here and there. For those looking to shop for clothing, Buffalo Exchange, a consignment store located on the outskirts of Telegraph, is the perfect spot. A lot of this year’s trends are sold there for cheap prices including accessories for men and women. There even is a section for vintage clothes to choose from! Another great spot is People’s Park; the perfect place for a picnic with friends or family.
