Having lived in Oakland before I was hesitant about staying in East Oakland. But El Nido stood out and it was just as beautiful as it is in the photos! The area might feel a bit.. real to others, but it is authentically Oakland and we felt very safe our entire stay — just as much as we would in other areas of Oakland or SF, if not more so given multiple cameras, locks, and an alarm system. Francisco was welcoming and always quick to respond.
Inside felt luxurious with lots of interesting details, comfy seating, natural light from many skylights, and a spacious shower with a rainfall head. The deck also made for some surprisingly good stargazing!
A car could possibly make getting around easier — where to park it at your destination aside — but Uber/Lyft were always quickly available and while pricey at times were still far less than the cost of a rental. DoorDash also enabled us to get some classic Bay Area food (Burma Superstar and Brenda’s!) delivered when the weather took a rare rainy turn. Lake Merritt and it’s adjacent shops and restaurants were also just a short walk away. For the more adventurous even closer International Boulevard has many legit ethnic eateries, notably Vietnamese (Cam Huong) and Mexican food trucks that Anthony Bourdain once featured. One of California’s best restored movie palaces, the Grand Lake Theater is also close by and recommended.
Oakland is a special place with lots of interesting history and El Nido is a wonderful way to experience it.