If you stay on San Pablo, walking isnt generally that bad. On the surrounding streets its very block by block.
ride fast. look out for gangs of kids that will push you off your bike, hit you, and steal your bike.
Terror in pink nailed that one. That happened to my buddy on west macarthur. But that happens all over Oakland, same guy had a mountain bike ripped off at lake merrit. It doesnt happen often though.