🌤 Late Winter Energy in the East Bay

The last full week of February brings a subtle shift, longer daylight, early spring previews, and events that feel a little more lively. If you’ve been waiting for the right week to get back out there, this is it. As always, prices are included to keep planning simple.

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We're teaming up with Berkeleyside to bring you not one but two Literary Pub Trivia nights in 2026! Join us February 23 and/or July 27 for all-new questions, fantastic music, and our beloved celebrity host: writer, LGBTQ+ advocate, and 40-time Jeopardy! Champion Amy Schneider! Purchase tickets for either night, or sign up for both and save 20%!

🎨 That Art Party and Watermelon Couch
📍1000 Oak St., Oakland, CA 94607
🗓️ Feb. 26, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎟️ $19

ThursDates at OMCA is an adults-only (18+) after-hours series that transforms the Oakland Museum of California into a social hub for creativity and connection. Every Thursday from January through March, the museum sheds its traditional atmosphere for a "warm after-hours glow," offering a curated mix of art, music, and interactive experiences

Join us Sunday night for Shake Body: The Official Black Joy Parade After Party, a Black History Month celebration powered by United Tribes of Africa (UTA). This event is designed as a bridge, bringing together the broader Black Oakland community with global Black sounds in an environment that feels welcoming, energetic, and intentional.

Bingo & Beer at The New Parkway is a weekly, low-stakes community social held on the mezzanine of Oakland’s most famous "picture pizza pub." Hosted by a local regular, the event transforms the theater’s eclectic, living-room-style space into a lively gaming hall where neighbors and visitors gather for a night of casual competition.

RPG Sampler Night at Victory Point Cafe is a curated, "one-shot" gaming event designed to break the barriers of traditional tabletop roleplaying. Instead of committing to a months-long campaign, players can drop in for a single evening to test-drive diverse systems beyond the usual Dungeons & Dragons.

This moderately paced walk features fine architecture, an unusual view of the Claremont Hotel, bits of history, the neighborhoods affected by the 1991 fire, and, of course, a few paths. There is some uphill and a couple of stairways, but overall, no long, steep uphill walking. It starts in front of the Ellington & French shop at the northeast corner of Domingo Avenue and Tunnel Road and goes back and forth along the Berkeley/Oakland border.

🏃Oakland Freedom Run & Community Wellness Festival
📍Raimondi Park, 1800 Wood St, Oakland.
🗓️ Saturday, Feb 28, 2026 | 8:00 am
🎟️ $25

This is more than a race; it’s a "moving history lesson." The 3.1-mile flat course through West Oakland passes pivotal landmarks of the Black Panther Party. The energy is high, often featuring local drumlines and a finish-line festival at Raimondi Park with wellness booths and local food vendors.

📍3801 Allendale Ave, Oakland, CA 94619 |⏰ Wednesday-Monday 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, Tuesday Closed | 🎟️ $10 – $20

Vientian Cafe is a celebrated, family-owned "hidden gem" tucked into a residential corner of Oakland’s Allendale neighborhood. It is widely considered one of the best spots in the East Bay for authentic Lao and Issan-style Thai cuisine, favoring bold, pungent flavors and traditional preparations over a trendy aesthetic.

The restaurant is famously "tucked away" on a corner surrounded by houses, appearing as a "hole-in-the-wall" from the outside with its humble, lime-green exterior. Cozy Interior: Inside, the space is clean, cozy, and straightforward. While recent renovations have revamped the front entrance and bathroom, the main dining area remains small and can fill quickly with regular patrons.

1268 Sereno Drive, Vallejo, CA 94589
3 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 1,440 SQFT
This move-in-ready home sits on a spacious corner lot in a prime location just minutes from schools, the hospital, and shopping. The property has been extensively refreshed for 2026, featuring a brand-new roof, fresh interior and exterior paint, and new flooring throughout. Inside, the functional layout includes three bedrooms, two updated bathrooms, and a family/game room.

112 Palomar Lane, Vallejo, CA 94591
5 BEDS | 3.5 BATHS | 2,395 SQFT
Multi-generational living at its finest. The ground floor includes 2 bedrooms, a living room, a kitchenette, and its own laundry room with a separate entrance and access to the huge backyard with a built-in BBQ grill. If you're thinking about future finances, this could also be a way to generate passive income.

141 Dartmouth Ave, Vallejo, CA 94589
3 BEDS | 1 BATH | 1,024 SQFT
Welcome to 141 Dartmouth Ave, a move-in-ready 3-bedroom, 1-bath home in Vallejo offering stylish updates, generous living spaces, and beautifully landscaped outdoor areas. This turnkey property features premium real hardwood bamboo flooring throughout and a bright, spacious living room highlighted by a large picture window that fills the home with natural light.

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Here’s to a cozy and engaging week filled with art, music, nature, and community vibes—thoughtfully curated to help you plan with clarity and ease.

Stay local & stay inspired,

Ryan DeAmaral

Co-Writer, Twin Oaks Insider

[email protected]