880 South
Temescal Alleys Off 49th St.; ½-block east of Telegraph Ave. These alleys are lined with unique shops that are perfect for gift-hunting, plus casual snack stops for refueling. They are pedestrians only. Originally the narrow roads were home to stables for trolley horses.
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Temescal Alley |
Temescal Alley
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Ali Golden #470-E, (805) 340-7086. This sparely furnished designer boutique displays a casual women’s clothing line, all of which is Bay Area-made.
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Crimson 470 49th St., (510) 992-3359. Stuffed with botanical delights, this shop has a large selection of air plants and potted items as well as lovely botanical body products, vintage gardening books, and plenty more.
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Curbside Creamery #482, (510) 250-9804. Regular dairy as well as cashew vegan ice cream is available in cones or sandwiches.
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Homestead Apothecary #486-C, (510) 495-6549. You’ll find everything for what ails you here—elder flowers, Echinacea, gingko leaves—plus lovely botanical cards and a few other related items.
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Marisa Mason #484-D, (510) 325-0019. Jewelry is handcrafted using original designs right in the studio in the back of this shop.
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Temescal Alley Barbershop #470-B, (510) 761-5074. No reservations. Men and women alike line up on the bench outside, waiting their turn to sit in the antique chairs of this old-style barbershop. Haircuts, beard trims, and straight-razor shaves are the specialties.
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Walrus #470-G, (510) 545-9784. Home accessories here are repurposed, used, and vintage items. You’ll find everything from felt dryer balls to sturdy antique school chairs.
Alley 49
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Doughnut Dolly CLOSED #482-B, 9510) 338-6738. It’s hard to believe, but only one thing is sold here—hand-rolled doughnuts dusted with either granulated or powdered sugar. You get a choice of four fillings pumped in by hand from funnel dispensers. I chose their signature Naughty Cream, which is a thick mixture of vanilla bean and crĆØme fraiche, but Mexican chocolate and a couple of others were also available. When they run out of a flavor, there is no more available that day. Owner Hannah Hoffman is a graduate of the Chez Panisse kitchen.
●Esqueleto #482-A, (510) 629-6216. Tu-Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm. This shops owner relocated here from New York with her namesake line, Lauren Wolf Jewelry. In her desert-like gallery she represents both local and international contemporary jewelers, ceramicists, and fine artists. Art shows change regularly.
Around the Corner on Telegraph
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Ruby’s Garden 5026 Telegraph Ave., (510) 595-5325. M-Sat 10am-6pm. This gigantic one-room shop has a vast inventory of children’s items. Prices are good, and many items are unusual. Some used items are also for sale. Bring new or gently used children’s books to donate to their collection bin for the East Bay Children’s Book Project.
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Sagrada 4926 Telegraph Ave., (510) 653-7196. Tu-Sat 10am-5pm, Thur to 7pm. This shop devloted to sacred arts stocks books, religious art and crafts, and gifts representing all faiths.
More things to do in Oakland.
Way more things to do in Oakland.
More ideas for exploring Northern California.
images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers; last image courtesy of Sagrada website