A February 2001 trip to Oakland by cassidy90
Quote: I have stayed in Oakland on several different occasions and was surprised how much there is to do there. Not a bad place to visit if you're passing through.
Overview
Hotel | "Executive Inn Oakland"
The rooms and bedrooms are both very large. You can request to be on the waterfront side for a little extra, but I think it is worth it. What a difference in scenery! A pool and hot tub are on the premises, and there is a bar that is open nightly for guests. Every morning they provide a small grab and go breakfast in the bar/restaurant area.
Overall, this motel is an excellent choice if you're looking for somewhere to stay in the Oakland area and don't mind driving to get where you're going.
Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 19, 2003
Executive Inn and Suites Oakland 1755 Embarcadero Drive Oakland, California 94606 510-536-6633
Restaurant
Member Rating 5 out of 5 on August 19, 2003
Quinn's Lighthouse Restaurant and Pub 51 Embarcadero Cove Oakland, California 94606 (510) 536-2050
Attraction | "Heinold's First and Last Chance Bar"
The building was built in 1880 out of the wood from an old whaling ship. It is positioned on the dock where the ferry used to cross to Alameda. It is for this reason that it is named "First and Last Chance." In the early 1900s, Alameda was a dry town and this was the last spot to buy alcohol before crossing on the ferry, and the first spot returning. The name applied later to the various military personnel deployed from the Oakland/Alameda area.
In addition to all of this, the bar was a favorite childhood hangout of Jack London. He returned to the spot to write several works later in life.
The first thing you notice when you walk into Heinold's is the floor. It leans dramatically due to the settling which occured in the earthquake of 1906. When the earthquake struck it caused the clock to stop. It still hangs on the wall remaining suspended at the exact time it stopped.
This is a great place to stop in and just hang out. It's a really small building, and is sometimes hard to squeeze into. Everything inside is very rustic. The bartenders are really unique people, full of information. I'd recommend stopping in if you're ever in town and sitting at the bar listening to the stories. Sit and be entertained and stop to enjoy the step back in time.
Member Rating 5 out of 5 on August 20, 2003
Heinold's First & Last Chance Bar 48 Webster Street In Jack London Square Oakland, California 94607 (510) 839-6761
cassidy90 Chesapeake, Virginia