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.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
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. Since the late 1990s, however, the actual basis for these often exaggerated portraits of Oakland life have receded, as the city is experiencing an economic and cultural revitalization, as well as the more controversial hyper-gentrification. Oakland is now the Bay Area's most diverse city.
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.
Oakland has many attractions to the eye and for the mind. Where some believe that it is a city of run-down Victorian houses or endless stretches of urban blight, this is very far from accurate. Oakland is a city with roots as far back as the earliest years of the admission of the State of California, and as such, it has architecture extant from many different eras. The Victorian architecture preserved and restored in Old Oakland, the Art Deco glory of Uptown, and the history of the Port of Oakland itself are among the many things to see.
Oakland is a city of passionate interests - among the strongest of them are the love of the performing arts. Theater, live DJs, nightclubs, concerts, dance and even more unusual avant-garde activities are common sights and experiences in the city. Not just the obvious locations like the convention center or the Oracle Arena are home to the passion of performance. The Fox and Paramount Theaters host live concerts; the Paramount in particular is home to Oakland's East Bay Symphony, but that is by no means the end of the list.
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. 1 Ahn's Quarter Pound Burger, 439 Grand Ave (corner of Bellevue and Grand), ☏ +1 510 763-4328. Daily 8AM-9PM. Very no-frills burger stop that has all the basics and its own parking lot. Under $10.
1 Ben and Nick's Bar & Grill, 5612 College Ave (between Keith Ave & Ocean View Dr), ☏ +1 510 923-0327. M-W 11AM-10PM, Th-F 11AM-midnight, Sa 10AM-midnight, Su 10AM-10PM. Often-visited for their considerable beer list and well-stocked menu. $15-30. (updated Feb 2022) 2 Cato's Ale House, 3891 Piedmont Ave (near Montel St), ☏ +1 510 655-3349. Bar: Su-Th 11:30AM-9PM, F Sa 11:30AM-10PM; kitchen: Su-Th 11:30AM-11PM, F Sa 11:30AM-midnight. A local pub that would look at home in nearly any century, with a long list of both local brews and quality imports. Regular live music events. Online ordering for food pickup. $10-30.
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.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Oakland typically sees ~21°C daytime highs and 0 rainy days.
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