BEST OF THE BAY: MUST-DO STUFF IN EAST BAY

There are always new things to discover in East Bay, regardless of how long you have lived here. You can’t resist the attraction of East Bay’s dynamic cities. More so, if you happen to be someone who likes to explore new places every now and then. East Bay is particularly known for its wide variety of foods. If you want to experience the foods from different regions, just head to Google and type “East Bay food delivery near me” or “East Bay food restaurants near me”. The search engine will show dozens of options, allowing you to select the food that goes with your personal taste.

Having said that, there is more to East Bay than just delicious food. If you ever happen to go to East Bay for vacation, you must give a shot to the following stuff:  

Lake Merritt can be found in Oakland. It is surrounded by lush greenery and charming strings of Christmas lights. Its circumference is 3.5 miles, making it a great place to take a walk in the afternoon or at night. It's also 100 percent free. You'll find a bird sanctuary on one shore, with ducks, geese, and other waterbirds. As matter of fact, the entire lake is a wildlife sanctuary. Five artificial islands have been given over completely for their nests. You can visit it at any time of the year. But if you want to witness different species of birds belonging to diverse regions, you are better of coming here in winter. The reason being, Lake Merritt turns into a temporary home for birds during winter. 

As you might have guessed from the name, Viks Chaat is an Indian-centric restaurant. Amod Chopra, the owner, and the staff serve delicious samosas every morning. Weekly specials such as spinach dahl and curry are served with large portions of basmati rice or chapati bread. Despite having a modest setting, Viks Chaat is second to none in terms of food. Many locals regard it as one of the best restaurants in East Bay. To top it off, the Viks Chaat provides food delivery 24/7. So if you Google “East Bay restaurants open now”, the results will show the name of Viks Chaat every single time. 

This eight-acre park is home to thousands of summer-blooming roses. It features stone staircases and winding walkways. The place gives you an opportunity to become a volunteer and subsequently serve nature. Volunteer as a "deadheader" if you don't have a reason to come here.

The East Bay's most luxurious 1915 hotel is a fairy-tale castle. It's the perfect place to host your wedding, anniversary, weekend getaway, or indulge in luxurious spa treatments alone or with friends and family members. The Claremont, which is surrounded by the Berkeley Hills, has stunning views of San Francisco Bay. For the best view, choose an upper-floor room. There are three heated pools, 10 tennis courts, four restaurants on the premises, and a 20,000 square-foot fitness center.

What’s more, you can take a stroll at Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve right behind the hotel. Then, enjoy a cocktail made by the house and local cuisine on the bay-view terrace at Limewood Bar & Restaurant. No wonder why it is ranked as amongst the best cuisines and dishes providers in East Bay.