Experience Alameda and Nearby Oakland

You will not be lacking for activities after you've attended a trade show or expo at this first-rate venue. That's because you’ll be within close proximity of a whole host of restaurants, shops, and museums both in downtown Oakland and at Jack London Square. Also close by are Chinatown, Preservation Park, and the Oakland Museum of California.

You will have two options for parking at the Oakland Convention Center. You can park for $30 a day in one of two garages whose entrances are on 11th Street and Clay Street. Or you can be a sport and pay $40 a day for valet parking at the Oakland Marriott City Center entrance. If you don’t have a car, you’ll be able to get there via bus or the Alameda/Oakland Ferry.

It most certainly is. From Hawthorn Suites, you'll be able to take the Oakland/Alameda Ferry. You’ll enjoy a very scenic ride on the Bay. The ferry will drop you off at the Ferry Building (not surprisingly) in San Francisco. From there, you can walk to downtown or you’ll have several transportation options. These include cable car, taxi, streetcar, subway, and, if you're tech-savvy, Uber.

You’ll find every kind of restaurant imaginable in Downtown San Francisco. Inimitable Indian cuisine can be savored at Amber India. Mouthwatering sushi and other Japanese dishes are served nightly at ANZU. Traditional Italian meals abound at Brindisi. Exceptional French food can be found at Café Claude and Café de la Presse. And if Southwestern is your culinary thing, you’ll want to check out Colibri Mexican Bistro.

There is no shortage of great restaurants that will surely satisfy your hunger for tasty meals. If you’re into Asian food, you can choose from Mama’s Vietnamese Restaurant, Ozumo, Phnom Penh House, and Silver Dragon. Peruvian cuisine reigns supreme at Tambo Restaurant while authentic Mexican is on the menu at Tamarindo and Xolo Taqueira. Classic American dining options range from Uptown Café & Crepes to Uncle Willie’s BBQ & Fish.

You will be very happy to know that Oakland is a very kid-friendly city. You will be able to rent bikes at Jack London Square and ride along the waterfront as well as the Bay Trail. If you’re interested in spending the day on the water, you can also rent a canoe or kayak at the same location. For a unique cultural experience, Chinatown is bursting with cool sights and sounds that little ones are sure to find stimulating.

Take a public guided walking tour of the University of California, Berkeley, which covers the main buildings of the campus and is available throughout the year from Monday through Saturday. If you’re unable to make that tour, there are several self-guided tours available. Sports fans will definitely want to check out the Memorial Stadium Tour for an up-close-and-personal look at where the Cal Bears play their home football games. Details are at https://visit.berkeley.edu/.

There is parking on campus but it’s not very easy to find. And if you do find it, you'll have to pay for it. What’s more, there are limited parking spots on the street. That said, you’ll be much better off taking public transportation. From Hawthorn Suites Oakland/Alameda, you can take the bus (AC Transit). Get more information, including schedules, by going online at 511.org or by calling 5-1-1.

The Alameda Point Antiques Faire takes place on the first Sunday of every month, and Hawthorn Suites Oakland/Alameda’s central location keeps you close to the event.

You’ll find Northern California’s largest antiques show, featuring more than 800 dealers offering furniture, vintage collectibles, and other unique items, just a short trip from the hotel.