These former horse stables have been transformed into Oakland's hippest street

temescal alley oakland california 6025
Stylists at Temescal Alley Barber Shop take a much-needed breather after a long day of trimming tresses. Melia Robinson/Business Insider

The one-story, 20th-century structures that line Temescal Alley and Alley 49 used to horse stables. Horses pulled the town's trolleys from a nearby amusement park to the hills of Berkeley.

Advertisement

In 2011, the city rezoned the all-but-abandoned lot in Oakland, California, and four co-investors snapped up the parcels with intent to transform the microneighborhood.

Today, the two dead-end streets — known collectively as Temescal Alley — form a hotbed of creativity and artisanship. Independent shops, restaurants, and artists' workspaces make it the perfect place to pass an afternoon.

Advertisement

On a recent visit to Temescal Alley, I nearly breezed right by the first street, known as Alley 49. Except for a few potted plants, the street was deserted.

temescal alley oakland california 5838
Melia Robinson/Business Insider

I walked to the dead-end and discovered some hole-in-the-wall vendors: a doughnut shop, a designer boutique, and a bookstore. Hip!

temescal alley oakland california 5840
Melia Robinson/Business Insider
Advertisement

Brick-and-mortar boutique Esqueleto enchanted me from the moment I entered. Jewelry, metals, and petrified wood glittered in the window.

temescal alley oakland california 5778
Melia Robinson/Business Insider

Shop Esqueleto »

Owner Lauren Wolf studied silversmithing in the mountains of Mexico before launching her own textural, organic line. She showcases her work, as well as accessories, home décor, and art from local designers, here.

temescal alley oakland california 5772
Melia Robinson/Business Insider
Advertisement

Next, the smell of freshly made confections led me to Doughnut Dolly. Owner Hannah Hoffman grew up watching her mother work in a Michelin-starred Berkeley restaurant, Chez Panisse, and has made a name for herself with hand-rolled, yeast-raised doughnuts.

temescal alley oakland california 5818
Melia Robinson/Business Insider

Check the Doughnut Dolly menu »

Customers can mix and match the pillowy pastries with one of four fillings from a rotating menu. I opted for the lemon-pistachio doughnut filled to order with strawberry jam. It. Was. Divine.

temescal alley oakland california 5812
Melia Robinson/Business Insider
Advertisement

I then poked my head into Book/Shop, a bookstore no larger than a New York City studio apartment. They only keep 80 or so books in the shop at a time, so the collection is almost entirely new every two weeks.

temescal alley oakland california 6165
Melia Robinson/Business Insider

I was tempted to buy this "book brush," for dusting off pages, but $36 seemed steep for a novelty gift.

temescal alley oakland california 6174
Melia Robinson/Business Insider
Advertisement

After my jaunt down Alley 49, I whipped around the corner to find the neighborhood's crown jewel, the original Temescal Alley. Even before noon, young families, tattooed hipsters, and elderly couples milled about.

temescal alley oakland california 6091
Melia Robinson/Business Insider
Advertisement

... And a natural goods store, Homestead Apothecary, which carried herbal remedies for almost every ailment.

temescal alley oakland california 5905
Melia Robinson/Business Insider

The cool blue exterior of menswear store Standard & Strange drew me in.

temescal alley oakland california 5963
Melia Robinson/Business Insider
Advertisement

The store perfectly straddled relaxed American classics and cutting-edge fashion. I attempted to find a gift for my boyfriend, but sticker shock set in pretty quickly ...

temescal alley oakland california 5957
Melia Robinson/Business Insider

Even a basic terrycloth crewneck cost $135. Yikes.

temescal alley oakland california 5958
Melia Robinson/Business Insider
Advertisement

I had better luck at Crimson Horticultural Rarities, a whimsical botanical shop. Reasonably priced succulents, the hipster-plant of the moment, were abundant.

temescal alley oakland california 5854
Melia Robinson/Business Insider

The store's eclectic mix of floral arrangements, taxidermic creatures, preserved pheasant wings, and hanging terrariums kept the inventory fresh and surprising.

temescal alley oakland california 5877
Melia Robinson/Business Insider
Advertisement

Finally, I landed on my new favorite store, Walrus. The vintage and "upcycled"-goods store looked like Pinterest-come-to-life.

temescal alley oakland california 5935
Melia Robinson/Business Insider

I found tree branches repurposed as candlestick holders, an armoire turned on its side and used as a kitchen island, and cloth remade into Mason jar cozies.

temescal alley oakland california 5943
Melia Robinson/Business Insider
Advertisement

Lastly, I popped my head into Temescal Alley Barber Shop, one of the original vendors to move into the alley after its transformation. Tattooed barbers with rolled flannel sleeves combed, cut, and buzzed customers with classic flair.

temescal alley oakland california 6017
Melia Robinson/Business Insider

The owners often offer customers a nip of whiskey, which couldn't hurt before going under the straight razor.

temescal alley oakland california 6040
Melia Robinson/Business Insider
Advertisement

Temescal Alley was a delight. I'll definitely be back.

temescal alley oakland california 6126
Melia Robinson/Business Insider
California
Advertisement
Close icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.