East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area) Rock & Roll Travel Guide

East Bay musicians Shannon & the Clams, Tina Lucchesi (Trashwomen, Bobbyteens, Cyclops), and Jesse Townley (Blatz, Gr’ups, Criminals) share their favorite haunts in Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, Alameda, and Albany. Collectively, Shannon & the Clams have lived in Oakland for over 30 years, while Tina has called Oakland home for 15. Jesse has been a proud Berkeley resident for nearly three decades.

 

DO

  • Catch the panoramic view from Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science (1 Centennial Drive, Berkeley).
  • Explore the post-apocalyptic landscape of the Albany Bulb, aka Albany landfill (1 Buchanan Street, Albany).
  • Spend a day at the races with $1 beer and hot dogs at Golden Gate Fields (1100 Eastshore Highway, Berkeley).
  • Hike through redwoods and around a funeral pyre and pyramid at Joaquin Miller Park (3590 Sanborn Drive, Oakland).
  • Get lost in Tilden Park‘s 2,079 acres of natural beauty.
  • Catch a film at one of the East Bay’s many movie theaters (Grand Lake Theatre, New Parkway Theater).
  • Stroll around Lake Merritt to watch some peeps, pups, and ducks.
  • Tune in to UC Berkeley’s radio station KALX (90.7fm).
  • Tool around town on a bicycle.

 

EAT

  • Japanese-style fried chicken and side dishes at Aburaya Japanese Fried Chicken (362 17th Street, Oakland)
  • Authentic Laos/Thai/Cambodian cuisine (Tina highly recommends the rice ball salad) at Champa Garden (2102 8th Avenue, Oakland)
  • No-frills diner food with some vegetarian options at Broom Bush Cafe (2725 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley)
  • “Honest, awesome, Mexican food” at Juan’s Place (941 Carleton Street, Berkeley)

 

SHOP

 

ROCK & ROLL

 

DRINK

 

FEATURED BAND PERFORMANCES (in order of appearance)

Shannon & the Clams at Starline Social Club, Oakland
Shannon & the Clams at Great American Music Hall, San Francisco
Tina Lucchesi with Thunderroads & Fink at Shelter, Tokyo
Cyclops at Shelter, Oakland
Cyclops at White Horse, Oakland
Blatz at 924 Gilman Street, Berkeley (footage courtesy of Shayne Stacy)

At 1-2-3-4 Go! Records, Oakland

Try the Pie
Radioactivity
Synthetic ID
California
All Dogs

Rule of Thirds at First Church of the Buzzard, Oakland (footage courtesy of Alejandro L. Flores)
Healers at Life Changing Ministry, Oakland (footage courtesy of Alejandro L. Flores)
Weather Warlock at The Church, Oakland (footage courtesy of Alejandro L. Flores)

At Stork Club, Oakland

The Shanghais
Little Queenie
Teenage Sex

At White Horse, Oakland

The Mantles
Swiftumz

At 924 Gilman Street

Melted!
Genuine Parts
Jakob Danger
Dinosaurs
The Side Eyes

Jello Biafra at Forbidden Island, Alameda