I wouldn't necessarily say they were heavily guarded. They all had a guard out front. I don't think they had any guns, at least not visibly. They guards are pretty friendly, I just show them my card and they let me in. The shop in Oakland (Blue Sky) is actually a coffee/juice shop up front (I see kids in here all the time), and you buy the meds in the back room. There is a guard in front, though.

For the card, go to Welcome to PIDC's Home Page for more info. I faxed them my doctor's rec to get pre-verified. Then I just went to their place, filled out some forms, took a picture and got my card. They even gave me a list of dispensaries/coops in the state of CA.

To my knowledge, there are four clubs in Oakland: Blue Sky (formerly known as SR-71) on 17th street, California Advocate Relief Exchange (CARE) on Broadway, Purple Heart Center on 4th, and Harborside Health Center off Embarcadero.

And thanks for the info, Weedhound, I'll have to check out those places if I'm ever out around the Sac area!