RFI: East Bay, CA

[Mark D]

Later this month I'm attending a class in Richmond, California. I haven't been to the East Bay in 15+ years, but I know it there are some high crime areas (e.g., Oakland).

Are there any places I should actively avoid, or conversely, I should visit?

And are there local constraints on hollow point / Federal HST ammo, like in some other Bay Area municipalities?

Thanks in advance.

[Tabasco]

Trader Vic's in Emeryville is kind of fun. One of the original Tiki themed establishments. Great views, food is good but expensive if I remember correctly. Been quite awhile though.

[RevolverRob]

East Bay wise - going south from Richmond you can get down to North Oakland without any major issues, in my opinion, farther south than the 580 loop split off - I wouldn't go.

When in the Bay Area, I try never to neglect a chance for good food, most of it is on the SF-side of the Bay. Look for the Chinese place that is not on the main street and has no white people inside of it. That's the good place. My wife and I once went to a place where they sat us, the only white'ish people, in the back corner behind the fish tanks. The food was fucking amazing.

[Mark D]

Thanks guy, I appreciate the input.


East Bay wise - going south from Richmond you can get down to North Oakland without any major issues, in my opinion, farther south than the 580 loop split off - I wouldn't go.

When in the Bay Area, I try never to neglect a chance for good food, most of it is on the SF-side of the Bay. Look for the Chinese place that is not on the main street and has no white people inside of it. That's the good place. My wife and I once went to a place where they sat us, the only white'ish people, in the back corner behind the fish tanks. The food was fucking amazing.

Thanks for the geographic details. I'll avoid Oakland proper. As for food, I agree. Had an excellent dinner in a tiny place in China Town a few years back. I was the only white dude in the place and I couldn't understand a word. My girlfriend at the time was fluent in Chinese so she ordered for us. It was delicious.


Trader Vic's in Emeryville is kind of fun. One of the original Tiki themed establishments. Great views, food is good but expensive if I remember correctly. Been quite awhile though.

Trader Vics? I didn't even know that was a real place. I'll be drinking a pina colada , a humming a Warren Zevon tune.

[Jay585]

I grew up in Richmond, and the RRG&C was my range for many years. I haven't been since 2016, so things may have changed but here's what I know:

Start your morning with Catahoula Coffee (https://www.yelp.com/biz/catahoula-coffee-company-richmond). A bit hipster (yes, there's hipsters in the hood too), a little snobby (the customers not the employees) but great coffee. I drink my coffee black so I can't recommend any of their mixed drinks. Peets is also really good, strong coffee. Nearest one, AFAIK, is by the plaza in El Cerrito.

If you like Mexican food, a great place for a large (albeit basic) burrito is 3 Hermanas (https://www.yelp.com/biz/3-hermanas-mexican-home-cooking-richmond). The owner is an awesome abuela. If you like papusas, or a delicious burrito (though on the small side) you must go to La Bamba (https://www.yelp.com/biz/taqueria-la-bamba-richmond). I must warn you, La Bamba has a pinche gringo vibe, but screw it, the food is worth it.

Thai food? Sa Wad Dee Thai Restaurant (https://www.yelp.com/biz/sa-wad-dee-thai-restaurant-richmond) Red curry chicken, Pad Thai, Chicken Satay. All delicious.

Mongolian food/Russian? Da, get your Genghis on here: EurAsia (https://www.yelp.com/biz/eurasia-richmond). Borsch is decent (though I can't compare it to any other borsch, as this is the only borsch I've had). Their stir fried beef with cabbage is pretty damn good but very salty. Their Mongolian dumplings (Huushuur) are really good.

Cheeseburgers? Red Onion (https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-red-onion-el-cerrito)

Never been, but always wanted to: Tempero Goiano Brazilian BBQ (https://www.yelp.com/biz/tempero-goiano-restaurant-richmond?osq=Tempero+Goiano).

If you get tired of the hood (actually the places I linked to above aren't that "hood" but might be to the average suburbanite), and want something upscale, check out Emeryville Bay Street Mall (https://www.baystreetemeryville.com/). A little cheaper is The Public Market (http://publicmarketemeryville.com/)/ I love this place, and you can walk around and see the entire spectrum of food from Italian to Afghan.

Hilltop Mall (https://shophilltop.com/) (where the WalMart is) is ghetto as f___, does not stock ammo, and should not be visited.

Generally, traveling northbound on San Pablo Ave east is OK, west is not. Stay the f__k away from MacDonald Ave. Going west down either of those streets takes you straight to get yo ass capped-ville. Known as the "Iron Triangle" (link (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Triangle,_Richmond,_California)). It's actually not that bad, but your a-hole will pucker up hard enough to pass a lie detector test.

What else...

Grocery store? raleys (https://www.yelp.com/biz/raleys-san-pablo). It's more civilized than the other grocery stores in the area.

Short on ammo? Or maybe you wanna meet real-life Walt Kowalski? Old West Gun Room (http://www.oldwestgunroom.com/) in El Cerrito (right next to Peet's) (Yelp link (https://www.yelp.com/biz/old-west-gun-room-el-cerrito)). Owner (goes by Bob) is a crotchety old timer, but he's solid. Had some punks try to rob his store and he and a customer got in a shootout with the robbers. Don't ask him for details though, just know you're in good hands at his shop. You get buzzed in, so ring the bell and wait a second before you yank on it.

If you're due for a leather belt, need a pair of cowboy boots, or else wanting to check out some western wear, go to Golden Gate Western Wear (https://www.goldengatewesternwear.com/). Good folks, great belts, pretty cashiers. Hola senorita! ;)

If you get to feeling antsy and want to go for a walk, check out Wilcat Canyon (https://www.ebparks.org/parks/wildcat/). Watch out for mountain lions (never seen, only heard of). Lots of cattle, deer, turkeys, and some coyotes if you're early enough. If you visit the park before dawn, be aware you might see lit flashlights on the side of the trail. I suspect druggies or (more likely) homeless.

A nicer area to visit (especially with wife/kids) is Tilden (http://www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden/). Petting zoo, native american culture center, a small lake with turtles (well... a pond, really), a larger lake to swim in (Jewell Lake) , and a small train ride. Also has a merry go round.

Hope this was helpful. If you can reply with a little more detail, I could be a little more specific. There's a lot in such a small area.

[Jay585]

And are there local constraints on hollow point / Federal HST ammo, like in some other Bay Area municipalities?

I'm sorry I forgot to address this question.

Laws in CA change quicker than a McDonalds Street hooker changes johns, but as far as I know hollow points are OK in Richmond. Try Bay Area Chapter subforum of CalGuns.net (http://calguns.net/calgunforum/forumdisplay.php?f=304).

Also, I forgot for a moment that ammo sales in California is now heavily regulated. Something like needing to do a thumb print or have some special license or something. Not sure. Apparently it's also against the law to share your ammo with someone else.

Again, check with CalGuns.

EDIT: If you wind up taking BART (the subway) anywhere, watch your back and sit in a corner if possible. Avoiding BART is best. Use the El Cerrito Plaza (in the east bay) station to get on/off. Watch yourself if you have to use the El Cerrito Del Norte stop. The hoodrats all gather and hangout there. If you end up there, you'll probably be OK. Waiting for the AC Transit bus, I've had some close calls, and I've seen some shit, but I always ended up OK.

BART stops between Rockridge and Pleasant Hill are good (high income neighborhoods). Embarcadero (first BART station in San Francisco proper) used to be "okay". Still sketchy, but overall okay.

[RevolverRob]

As Jay mentioned - Iron Triangle = No Go. Actually, my general rule of thumb for East Bay is stay on the east side of San Pablo Ave (Highway 123). As you move south on San Pablo, when you get to South Berkeley, you should stay on the east side of Sacramento St. When Sacramento ends (at Alcatraz Ave.) you should turn around or get on 580 or 880 and keeping driving south until you get to San Jose and don't stop. You can go a little further into Oakland if you take Shattuck from Berkeley until it ends (close to 580). But I wouldn't go further than that.

I mean Fremont isn't that bad. But neither is the South Side of Chicago...

RE: BART - Don't if avoidable. It breaks down too much for my liking. And East Bay BART is definitely sketchy as fuck. Though, I will say, it has improved considerably in Oakland, since Southwest Airlines invested a ton of money in Oakland Airport. The infusion of funds means more tourists coming in and BART Police and local PDs have sought to improve conditions on trains moving through those areas a lot in the last few years. Still, sketchy as fuck.

[Tabasco]

Trader Vics? I didn't even know that was a real place. I'll be drinking a pina colada , a humming a Warren Zevon tune.

Actually, the Mai Tai is more appropriate. Trader Vic and Don the Beachcomber were at odds as to who invented the Mai Tai. Both claimed credit, we'll never know. Mai Tai translates as "very good" in Polynesian. Get the 151 rum float if it's still an option.

[Mark D]

Wow - great information, guys. And that's why I love this forum.

I'll sit down with a map and get oriented to the less desirable areas. And just as importantly, the good restaurants.

Many thanks, gentlemen. I feel much better informed.

[luckyman]

... you should turn around or get on 580 or 880 and keeping driving south until you get to San Jose and don't stop. You can go a little further into Oakland if you take Shattuck from Berkeley until it ends (close to 580). But I wouldn't go further than that.

I mean Fremont isn't that bad. But neither is the South Side of Chicago...

RE: BART - Don't if avoidable. It breaks down too much for my liking. And East Bay BART is definitely sketchy as fuck. Though, I will say, it has improved considerably in Oakland, since Southwest Airlines invested a ton of money in Oakland Airport. The infusion of funds means more tourists coming in and BART Police and local PDs have sought to improve conditions on trains moving through those areas a lot in the last few years. Still, sketchy as fuck.

Wut? I lived in Silicon Valley forever and not the East Bay, but man apparently I am comfortable taking my whole family to way sketchier neighborhoods than Rob is comfortable with, if he thinks it is necessary to avoid everything in the East Bay that is south of Berkeley and north of San Jose.

My daughter rides BART every day into San Francisco, and I agree it is not risk-free, but parking in San Francisco is such a nightmare there is a high return associated with the BART risk. I've had the "I know you're an adult, but I'm still your Dad; think about where you sit, don't zone out with your smartphone" reminder conversation with her.

I agree Oakland Airport is way better than it used to be and quite nice now. I really like flying in and out of there if it is convenient to my final location.

[HopetonBrown]

I've lived in San Francisco for 24 years and I don't know why Revolver Bob is so scared of the Bay. There's a few sketchy spots like any area. PM me if you need food pointers for SF or want to meet for a donut.

Richmond has 150 guys showing up for local matches, and everyone from Stoeger to Northern Red teach there.

[Jay585]

I mean Fremont isn't that bad. But neither is the South Side of Chicago...

Fremont? Bro, Fremont is super chill. Got the California School for the Deaf (which I'm thankful for not attending!) and the historic Ardenwood Farms (https://www.ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood/). I didn't spend a whole lot of time in Fremont, not like Richmond, but I wouldn't compare it to south side Chicago at all.

[RevolverRob]

Fremont? Bro, Fremont is super chill. Got the California School for the Deaf (which I'm thankful for not attending!) and the historic Ardenwood Farms (https://www.ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood/). I didn't spend a whole lot of time in Fremont, not like Richmond, but I wouldn't compare it to south side Chicago at all.

I don't know why. But I mixed up Fremont and Stockton yesterday.

I'm chalking that up to sleep deprivation.

Also, the East Bay is mostly fine. Compared to areas here in Chiraq, all of the East Bay is basically Disney Land. But if you're not used to running through urban areas where things can get sketchy. Then the rule of them staying east of 123 is a good rule of thumb.

[luckyman]

I don't know why. But I mixed up Fremont and Stockton yesterday.

I'm chalking that up to sleep deprivation.


Hahahahahahaha ok that makes way more sense. Assuming I buy your story, you were pretty dang specific on the dmz line.🤣

[Jay585]

I mixed up Fremont and Stockton yesterday.

OK that makes sense, I'd agree with ya about Stockton.