Temescal is the Brooklyn of Oakland.
Temescal named the Brooklyn of Oakland
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Temescal the Brooklyn of Oakland.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Oakland's verdict went to Temescal ahead of Uptown, West Oakland and Fruitvale, which take the runner-up positions.
"We named Temescal the Brooklyn of Oakland. It packs a lot into a walkable half mile: coffee, record shops, beer that does not try too hard, and people who actually live there and eat there. Oaklanders are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Temescal's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Oakland verdict: brooklynof.com/oakland
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/oakland
Runner-up neighborhoods: Uptown, West Oakland, Fruitvale
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.