San Francisco is an exciting, multifaceted city, and there are plenty of Black-owned businesses there. There are yet more in neighboring Oakland and Berkeley, which you can access by car or via the BART.
From restaurants to nightclubs, tourist traps to cultural centers, the Bay Area offers more to explore than two days will allow. But if you know how to structure your time, and have a lot of energy, you’ll still be able to cover quite a bit of ground.
Here are just a fraction of Black-owned businesses you can support in San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley.
1. Day 1- Morning
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Feeling like an early morning walk, jog or bike session to jump start your day?
Descend on The Embarcadero before the tourists do. Continue on to Crissy Field, Golden Gate Park and the Golden Gate Bridge-all scenic spots for a sweat.
There’s one thing to be aware of on the bridge, however-the fog. It tends to be thick and can materialize at random.
Once you’ve taken a shower at your hotel or Airbnb, grab brunch at Souley Vegan in Oakland, which is offered from 10 AM to 3 PM.
The sweet potato waffles with vegan butter are delicious, as well as the seitan “shrimp” and grits.
If you happen to overeat in San Francisco, and are a glutton for punishment, those infamously steep hills will have your thighs burning.
2. Afternoon
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Do you crave Jamaican food? Peaches Patties on Folsom Street is a catering company headed by executive chef Shani Jones. The name “Peaches” happens to be her mother’s nickname.
You can order in advance and pick it up in store. The jerk chicken comes with rice and peas and plantains. Vegetarian or vegan? There are options, including veggie curry and the impossible beef patties.
Head over to the Museum of The African Diaspora (MOAD) on 3rd Street and Mission.
This may seem random, but how about learning the fundamentals of DJ’ing? Head over to Fingersnaps, a creative space founded by DJ Lamont in the Mission District. You can purchase individual sessions or, if you’re really committed, buy several on the website.
If you’re looking to purchase some street wear, go to Dayfyah, a boutique clothing shop that is proudly Black-owned. There’s apparel for men, women and children.
If you have the energy to go to Oakland or Berkeley, Cupcakin’ Bakery has locations in both.
Patrons rave about the cupcakes, with one person declaring, “the lemon blackberry cupcake will make you slap yo’ mama!”
3. Evening
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For dinner, have you ever had Eritrean food? Eritrea is in northeast Africa, the birthplace of Alem and Nigisity, founders of Alem’s Coffee. Don’t be deceived by the name; it offers much more than coffee.
Located in Oakland, this restaurant offers delicacies such as Shihan Ful, a vegetable soup, and Tsebhi Sga, a delicious meat stew.
There are also more general items like the tuna salad and egg sandwich, all reasonably priced, and you can enjoy the outdoor seating when the weather is nice.
While you’re in Oakland, grab cocktails at Sobre Mesa, a snazzy Afro-Latino bar and lounge. Drinks include classics like the margarita and the Mai Thai, as well as specialty cocktails like Sobre Mesa, which includes two kinds of rum, mamajuana mix, lime and grapefruit.
4. Day 2- Morning
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To burn off the cupcakes and other decadence you had the day before, book a personal training session with Tammy Foxx or one of the other trainers at Eden Fitness Studio.
This boutique studio is just right for women who don’t care for the fuss of the larger gyms.
After your workout, treat yourself to more desserts. You can do that, because you’re on vacation, after all.
Two Chicks In The Mix, founded by baking besties Malaka and Erica, uses locally sourced ingredients where possible. They are known for their elaborate, tasty cakes, and operate in Oakland and Los Angeles.
Oakland was where the Black Panther party was established in 1966, and you can visit sites affiliated with them today. 14th street and Peralta, DeFremery Park, and Merrit and Laney Colleges are a few examples.
The Oakland Museum of California has an ongoing Black Power exhibition. There’s also a temporary display called Mothership: Voyage Into Afrofuturism, which runs until February 27, 2022.
5. Afternoon
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Knock down some pins at Mission Bowling Club, which is Black and woman owned.
What’s for lunch? How about a meal at Voodoo Love, founded by Eva Morris? Enjoy shrimp and grits, catfish po’ boy and the Cajun burger.
6. Evening
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As your trip to California concludes, get into Downward Dog at Satori Yoga Studio in San Francisco’s Financial District.
The founder is Andrea Stern. Her studio is one of very few Black-owned and woman-owned fitness facilities of its kind.
In Oakland, check out Trap Kitchen, offering delicious, mostly Cajun-inspired food. Check out the pineapple bowls, burgers, tacos and “Trap” fried rice.
Anthony’s Cookies, founded by Anthony Lucas, has locations in Berkeley and San Francisco. The most popular ones are chocolate chip, cookies and cream and toffee chip. All are baked fresh daily.