We chose Laura's place on Vale because it was near our daughter's house and was large enough to let us spread out and have room to relax. We were in Oakland to spend time with our daughter, and wound up getting her garden in shape, going out for dinner and cooking together for meals, so we just spent nights in the apt. and didn't spend much daytime there. We will definitely stay there again and hopefully won't be so busy!
Parking was easy, walking to Laurel along MacArthur was easy, there were lots of 'idea books' for what to do in Oakland, and the welcoming banana/cranberry bread was excellent!