36 minutes in El Cerrito

Use the Ohlone Greenway to access shopping and dining from the El Cerrito Plaza station. Photo courtesy of TrailLink.

El Cerrito is an East Bay gem. Tucked between Albany and Richmond and buffered by Tilden Nature Area, the city with a small-town vibe begets lots of “Where is that?” questions, especially for non-transit riders. But BART riders who use El Cerrito Plaza specifically know how convenient the station is to freeways, nearby neighborhoods and San Pablo Ave. Many transit riders take advantage of the station’s proximity to shopping opportunities at El Cerrito Plaza mall. Still, we’re encouraging you to explore beyond the chain stores there and find special independent shops and eateries.

The Ohlone Greenway offers walkers and bikers more than five miles of flat, paved pathways. Interspersed are benches, parklets with exercise and play equipment, pockets of native vegetation and even a frog habitat. Hop off BART and take in a little bit of nature or use the pathway to access shopping and eateries along San Pablo Ave and Solano Ave. The pathway runs directly under BART’s elevated tracks so you can’t miss it.

Let's go.

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Yammy Sushi's Island Roll. Photo courtesy of Yammy Sushi.

Not far from the station and within El Cerrito Plaza mall is Yammy Sushi. The large menu offers not only sushi but lunch specials that span Asian cuisine. Highlights include chicken katsu and bowls with salmon and tuna. Travel 0.1 miles to 195 El Cerrito Plaza.

Elevation 66 Brewing Company and its welcoming entrance next to the theatre. Photo courtesy of Elevation 66 Brewing Company.

If it's a refreshment you're in search of, the East Bay is known as home to several great breweries and that includes a couple of small outfits in El Cerrito. Elevation 66 Brewing Company, adjacent to Rialto Cinemas Cerrito Theatre, brews a small lineup of IPAs, stouts and ales and offers a great pub menu with the usual fare. Only a few blocks west of El Cerrito Plaza station, this brewery is a great spot to drop in on a warm day. Travel 0.3 miles to 10082 San Pablo Ave.

Kitchenette's compact interior sells pottery and a small selection of specialty foods. Photo courtesy of Sophia Markoulakis.

Though diminutive, Kitchenette delivers on flavor and friendliness. This petite sandwich shop is related to next door’s small brewery (see below), literally. As the owner of Kitchenette said, “Different bank accounts but same family business.”

Enjoy a French panini and an IPA in the beer garden. Photo courtesy of Sophia Markoulakis.

Her daughter and son-in-law own and operate Ocean View Brew Works, named after the Albany neighborhood that was once called Ocean View. Order food first and then head here to pick up a pint. There’s pleasant seating inside and outside in the beer garden. Travel 0.7 miles to 625 San Pablo Ave.

Eat and drink at Juanita & Maude's beautiful bar. Photo courtesy of Eater SF.

Juanita & Maude gained notoriety for its version of the iconic In-N-Out burger but there’s so much more to enjoy at this fine dining establishment on San Pablo Ave. Snag a seat at the bar and nosh on mussel chowder or house-made cannelloni. Wash it down with one of the eatery’s creative cocktails that utilize culinary flavors like hibiscus, black sesame and tamarind. Travel 0.9 miles to 825 San Pablo Ave.

Shoppers and traders check out Anime's inventory. Photo courtesy of Anime Island.

Trading card tournaments are just some of the events happening at family-run Anime Island in El Cerrito Plaza. Shop for anime products and mingle with fellow fans of the genre. Check out their inventory of collectibles and consider if your treasures are valuable. Travel 0.1 miles to 4060 El Cerrito Plaza.

Beers are organized by style at Ale Tales. Photo courtesy of Sophia Markoulakis.

Should you like to make a stop for some goodness to take home, Ale Tales has an amazing selection of specialty beer, seasonal ales and ciders and barrel-aged stouts. Bring your mini-cooler and stock up on hard-to-find beverages. Follow their Instagram for the latest product drops from nearby breweries like Alvarado Street and Altamont Beer Works. Lots of weekly specials, too. Travel 0.9 miles to 1137 Solano Ave.

Cooks go crazy for Oaktown's spice selection. Photo courtesy of Sophia Markoulakis.

Albany’s Oaktown Spice Shop location is BARTable, so head over for hard-to-find specialty seasonings, spices, dried herbs and food products that will make any meal you prepare sing. Chat with staff for recipe ideas and other foodie insights. Travel 0.9 miles to 1224 Solano Ave.

Sit back and enjoy Mel-o-dee's Las Vegas-style lounge. Photo courtesy of Eater SF.

If it's cool and moody you're in search of, please note, dive bars aren’t just for drinking. Many like Mel-o-dee are great respites from the heat and the drain of the day. Originally opened in the '40s, the bar is a reminder of earlier days. This El Cerrito landmark remains a favored place for locals and a great spot to discover or rediscover. Travel 0.3 miles to 240 El Cerrito Plaza. A stop here to take a load off might be in the cards before heading back to the station.

Let's connect. 

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