"Old Oakland was the city’s original downtown before the 1906 earthquake forced businesses out of the area. The historic neighborhood has slowly made a comeback and is now home to cool boutiques, well-preserved Victorians, and Swan’s Market - a former marketplace that’s now one of the city’s best food halls. Our favorite reason to go Swan’s is for the tacos at Cosecha, served on homemade tortillas and garnished with cilantro and jalapeño. The menu changes daily (go on Wednesday and Thursday for fish tacos), and they also have fantastic quesadillas, chilaquiles at breakfast, and grilled chicken achiote at dinner. You may slip into a mild panic when trying to find a seat in the busy communal dining area, but know that tables always free up. photo credit: Krescent Carasso" - Lani Conway