Oakland
Discover Oakland
Oakland is a port city in the Bay Area of California in the United States. Once an industrial area overshadowed by San Francisco, its larger neighbor to the west, this city of 440,000 people (2020) has begun to step out from under San Francisco's shadow with its notable natural and architectural features and its rise as the multicultural "hipster" city of the Bay Area. While Oakland has neither the concentration of tourist amenities present in its western neighbor, San Francisco, nor the suburban sprawl of San Jose to the south, the visitor can easily spend a few pleasant days here. For decades popular media has stoked American racial and class biases to generate negative perceptions about Oakland.
What to Experience in Oakland
Taste of Oakland...
The third great passion after art and music that is shared by residents and visitors to Oakland alike is food. Oakland is foodie country. No matter what your budget is - if you want to find something to eat from classic burgers to elaborate, innovative cuisine, you're going to find both and just about everything in between. Vegan and vegetarian options are widespread, and Oakland's exceptional ethnic diversity means you can find food from almost any corner of the globe. Popular nightlife districts include Temescal/Telegraph (Telegraph Avenue between 40th St and 51st St) and Piedmont Avenue (north of MacArthur Blvd). Oakland has some problems with both property and violent crime. Smash-and-grab attacks on parked cars are common, so do not leave anything visible in your car, not even cell phone mounts or bags that might look like they could contain valuables. Lock your bicycle with a U-lock or a chain, not a flexible cable lock, and make sure you secure the front wheel. The parts of the city with the most serious crime problems are unlikely to be interesting to tourists, but be careful when you venture into areas where there are not many people on the streets, keep your wits about yourself, and be aware of where you are at all times. The hills of Oakland are safe when it comes to violent crime but there is still property crime there. Think twice about going to West Oakland (south of 580 and west of 980) or East Oakland (southeast of Lake Merritt), especially at night.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Oakland.
Oakland is an amazingly diverse city, with roots in a range of cultures and traditions. Reflecting this, many annual events are held in Oakland usually but not always centered around Downtown and Lake Merritt. Most shops in Oakland are local establishments, some with distinctive personalities that reflect local culture. If you're looking for big-box chains, try Emeryville instead. Bike shops are a reasonably easy find in Oakland - used as an alternative means of transportation, to say nothing of exercise, throughout the city. Though once a common sight, with Eastmont Mall (the last operating fully enclosed mall) being used almost exclusively for other services, large enclosed malls are a thing of the past in Oakland. There are however a few open-air spots. The third great passion after art and music that is shared by residents and visitors to Oakland alike is food. Oakland is foodie country.
Climate
Oakland, like San Francisco, has a Mediterranean climate with temperatures moderated by the San Francisco Bay and the nearby, greater expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Maximum average tempertaures peak around early September with an average high of 75 °F (24 °C) and low of 59 °F (15 °C). Hotter temperatures, such as 86 °F (30 °C), with lows around 63 °F (17 °C), are not unheard of in the late summer months, but are uncommon and not the norm. Rain generally occurs in winter, not summer, since rains share more similarity to monsoons than they do to thunderstorms. Also, the effects of the San Francisco Bay and the East Bay's Mediterranean climate mean that below-freezing temperatures are unlikely, and if they do occur, the air will be dry.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsOther air travel options include the San Francisco (SFO) and San Jose (SJC) International Airports which are connected by BART and CalTrain if transferring by public transportation: For private pilots, Oakland General Aviation Airport (OAK ) has a separate General Aviation area "North Field", essentially the equivalent of another airport to the north of the commercial facilities, with separate tower, taxiways, and radio frequencies. Its long runway is frequently used for jet travel, and Oakland makes a far better GA destination than SFO's complex, heavily trafficked field. Amtrak, the United States' main train operator, has a few lines that stop in Oakland. The main Oakland station is 37.7938-122.27152 Jack London Square station at 245 Second Street, and there's a secondary 37.75243-122.198143 Oakland Coliseum/Airport Amtrak station, adjacent to the Oakland Coliseum BART station, useful for connections to BART or Oakland Airport....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Oakland is a good-sized city, with attractions more than a fair distance from the center of town. Car rentals tend to be more expensive than other locations in the country, and streets are frequently lined with meters, unless they're in completely residential zones. Some of the larger attractions have their own parking of course, and some of the more visitor-friendly neighborhoods have sizable parking lots - some paid and some not. Most residential areas allow parking for only a limited time for non-residents, so the wise traveler is best-advised to use public transit of some kind. The frequent and long-term visitor to the area may be best-advised to acquire a Clipper card, which is touted as an 'all-in-one' transit electronic flash pass. It allows much easier use of almost all of the entire Bay Area's public transit agencies, allowing the user to use simple cash value or a specific transit agency's monthly pass.
Where to Stay
Oakland has some problems with both property and violent crime. Smash-and-grab attacks on parked cars are common, so do not leave anything visible in your car, not even cell phone mounts or bags that might look like they could contain valuables. Lock your bicycle with a U-lock or a chain, not a flexible cable lock, and make sure you secure the front wheel. The parts of the city with the most serious crime problems are unlikely to be interesting to tourists, but be careful when you venture into areas where there are not many people on the streets, keep your wits about yourself, and be aware of where you are at all times. The hills of Oakland are safe when it comes to violent crime but there is still property crime there. Think twice about going to West Oakland (south of 580 and west of 980) or East Oakland (southeast of Lake Merritt), especially at night. The number of reckless drivers in Oakland seems to be higher than in the average US city.
Money & Budget
Most shops in Oakland are local establishments, some with distinctive personalities that reflect local culture. If you're looking for big-box chains, try Emeryville instead. Bike shops are a reasonably easy find in Oakland - used as an alternative means of transportation, to say nothing of exercise, throughout the city. Though once a common sight, with Eastmont Mall (the last operating fully enclosed mall) being used almost exclusively for other services, large enclosed malls are a thing of the past in Oakland. There are however a few open-air spots. The third great passion after art and music that is shared by residents and visitors to Oakland alike is food. Oakland is foodie country.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Oakland has some problems with both property and violent crime. Smash-and-grab attacks on parked cars are common, so do not leave anything visible in your car, not even cell phone mounts or bags that might look like they could contain valuables. Lock your bicycle with a U-lock or a chain, not a flexible cable lock, and make sure you secure the front wheel. The parts of the city with the most serious crime problems are unlikely to be interesting to tourists, but be careful when you venture into areas where there are not many people on the streets, keep your wits about yourself, and be aware of where you are at all times. The hills of Oakland are safe when it comes to violent crime but there is still property crime there. Think twice about going to West Oakland (south of 580 and west of 980) or East Oakland (southeast of Lake Merritt), especially at night. The number of reckless drivers in Oakland seems to be higher than in the average US city.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Oakland
San Francisco Bay Area
city skyline under orange sunset
oil rigs on body of water
Sunset at Oakland California Temple.
city skyline during night time
The only good part about a 6am flight is catching sunrise over the city.
I was driving by and looked over and saw this amazing sunset. I had to pull over and capture it! I’m happy I got to enjoy it! I like this photograph because it has a stormy feel to it.
A foggy train station with a train on the tracks
white and gray concrete building near green grass field during daytime
O, the Pelican. So smoothly doth he crest. A wind god!
San Francisco Bay Area
city skyline under orange sunset
oil rigs on body of water