Oakland California

Temescal

The intersection of 51st Street and Telegraph Avenue in the Temescal area hardly evokes calm and beauty, but it must have been a lovely spot when Vicente Peralta received it in a land grant from his father, Don, in the1820’s.

By the 1880’s the Temescal was a suburb of Oakland, boasting industry, commerce and recreation. Italian immigrants opened butcher shops, bakeries and grocery stores which defined the area for more than half a century.

Today, the Temescal neighborhood is an ethnic food lover’s dream: Asmara for traditional Ethiopian, Dona Tomas for elegant Mexican, Black Muslim Bakery and Café for delicious bean pie, and of course, Genova Delicatessen for Italian specialties.

The district is enjoying a renaissance, thanks to stores like Porch Light, which specializes in vintage housewares and gifts, and Sagrada, a sacred arts shop. Hipsters hang out at the Temescal Café, and the Temescal Branch of the Oakland library also serves as a Tool Lending Library for residents who are inclined to do some tinkering or home repair.
Check it out!

Temescal Art Center
44th Street Neighborhood