“This quiet, residential stretch at the base of the Oakland Hills has a strong Latino culture and refreshingly unpretentious vibe.” (Visit Oakland)
Just north of 580 (MacArthur Freeway), between Dimond Ave. and 35th Ave., you’ll find Oakland’s Dimond District. Split into Lower and Upper Dimond, this area is mostly residential, but features a main strip of businesses and restaurants in Lower Dimond, along MacArthur Blvd.
Flanked by the Glenview neighborhood to the west, Oakmore/Lincoln Highlands to the north, Laurel/Redwood Heights to the east, and School/Upper Peralta Creek neighborhoods to the south, the centrally-located Dimond District is a quick jaunt to a good portion of Oakland. It is a ten minute drive to Lake Merritt, five minutes to Joaquin Miller Park, ten minutes to the Fruitvale BART station, and eleven minutes to downtown Oakland.
Dimond was originally a settlement distinct from Oakland, in an area called Dimond Canyon (Wikipedia). Though today you’ll find murals, taquerias, and a business district, the Dimond District has a history that includes fruit orchards, timber groves, and once upon a time, German beer halls. In the early 1900s Dimond was known as Little Germany. In fact, an annual Oaktoberfest celebration continues to this day, featuring German beer, food, and entertainment.
In this area of Oakland, you’ll find craftsman homes and bungalows, Mission Revivals, and mid-century modern homes; as well as a mix of single-family homes, condos, and multi-unit buildings.
Dimond Canyon, Dimond Park and Sausal Creek
“Sausal Creek runs from the Oakland Hills to the San Francisco Bay, with a portion running near Dimond’s Fruitvale Avenue. Hike along the creek bed in Dimond Canyon, where you’ll spot redwoods, oak, buckeye and other native plants. Ferns and wild blackberries grow here, too.” (source: Visit Oakland)
A portion of the 94-acre Dimond Canyon bookends the Dimond district, and here, Dimond Park provides the community with a recreational pool, picnic tables, BBQ grills, and tennis courts. (Reserve your BBQs and picnic tables in advance!) You can walk along Sausal Creek and enjoy the recent restoration of native plants. On-leash dog walking is permitted along El Centro Trailhead. To read more about the history of Dimond Canyon and Sausal Creek, visit the Fruitvale Oakland blog.
Dimond Business District
The Dimond Business District runs along several of Oakland’s neighborhoods including Oakmore, Glenview, and Lincoln Highlands. It offers a variety of retail stores, restaurants, and services. Here you will find national businesses like Safeway, CVS Pharmacy, and Peet’s Coffee & Tea, regional retailers like Farmer Joe’s Marketplace, locally-owned and run community-oriented stores like Oaklandish (“shop local, support local”), and mom-and-pop eateries like the popular French bakery La Farine and local coffee shop Hive. “Down home Southern eatery” Southern Cafe offers an all-you-can-eat Sunday buffet (hello, fried chicken!) and live jazz on Sunday evenings. And, certainly noteworthy, Grand Lake Kitchen has opened a location in the neighborhood. They are open from 9am to 10pm every day, and the patio is dog-friendly! Check out this Berkeleyside guide to eateries in the area. As always, double-check the status of the business and operating hours, as the area is ever changing.
You can read more about the merchants in the Dimond Business District on the Dimond Business & Professional Association website. Major national banks, a U.S. post office, and a branch of the Oakland Public Library can also be found in the Dimond district.
The Dimond District in Oakland is rich in history, community, and outdoor activities. Its central location, diversity of home styles, and accessibility to shops and restaurants make it a desirable area to live. Public transit options are plentiful – you’ll find bus and transbay bus lines 11, 14, 20, 21, 39, NX1, NX2, NXC, 339, 851 (all-nighter) service the area, along with a casual carpool pick-up at Montana and Fruitvale, an easy drive or bus ride to the Fruitvale BART station, and easy access to Interstate 580.
