A stroll through Oakmont's main corridor on a balmy autumn day reveals why this Norman Rockwellian bedroom community east of Pittsburgh is a fun place to spend a day shopping and dining.

This quaint river town of more than 7,000 people shares the 105-year-old Oakmont Country Club with neighboring Plum, a storied golf venue which has hosted more major golf championships than any other course in the United States, including eight U.S. Opens. Currently the price of homes for sale range from $74,900 to $1.15 million, with the average list price at $290,000.

Oakmont is easy to get to. From the city side of the Highland Park Bridge, just follow Allegheny River Boulevard east through Verona, and you're there in 10 minutes.

As you enter Oakmont, the south side of Allegheny River Boulevard is lined with numerous retail and commercial properties. Across the street, down an embankment and across railroad tracks and a walking trail is a looser assortment of businesses, shops and restaurants.

Fashion lovers will find lots to check out in Oakmont. Aside from two of Pittsburgh's toniest women's boutiques, Catherina and Carabella, Traditions of Oakmont offers finer clothing for men, and Lucy has stylish women's shoes and accessories.

Among the womenswear at Mia boutique is a lovely selection of sleepwear and loungewear. Ambiance has chic finds in high-end consignment, Fit Fore All Days has golfwear and casualwear for women, and the Golf Augusta pro shop can get you ready for the links at the Oakmont Country Club.

For those into home decor and lawn beautification, fresh flowers and attractive accoutrements are at Bernie's Flower Shop, Oakmont Flower & Design, and Bloomers Floral & Gift Studio, which operates out of a Victorian-style house with a white picket fence.

Novel gifts and home furnishings also are in abundance at Portobello Gift Gallery, The Quail's Tale, Gregg L. Huff Interiors and Gifts, Home & Holidays and Mae's Hallmark.

Avid readers can lose themselves for hours inside the Mystery Lovers Bookshop, and health-conscious foodies can find all sorts of organic and chemical-free specialty foods, cleaning products and related books at Today's Market.

In fact, if you get hungry, Oakmont has numerous places to grab a bite to eat. Chelsea Grille and Hoffstot's Cafe Monaco offer affordable white-tablecloth dining, the latter with some al-fresco seating and the unforgettable signature "Lucy's" citrus iced tea.

Exotic, delectable dinner dishes are served up with panache at the new Mirabelle, Cafe Vita is a convenient stop for coffee or a sandwich, and Boulevard Bistro opens to the sidewalk for an indoor-outdoor experience.

Also worth a mention are the specialty buffalo chicken and meat lover's pizzas at Tomanetti's Pizza, and you can always bring your own bottle without a corkage fee to the popular cafe What's Cookin' at Casey's.

In the mood for a sweet treat? Oakmont has plenty to satisfy, from creamy chocolates at Sweet Heart Candies to tasty smoothies and generous scoops at Brr-kee's Home Made Ice Cream.

The borough's culinary crown jewel, the legendary Oakmont Bakery, always has a staggering selection of mouth-watering cakes, cookies, cupcakes and other confections. And its candied apples this season are scrumptious.