Oakland, CA
Oakland's landscape is a picturesque mix of lovely hillside neighborhoods; exciting and diverse architecture; a bustling waterfront; two shimmering lakes; 19 miles of shoreline along the San Francisco Bay; unparalleled Bay views; and more parks and open space per capita than any other city in the Bay Area.
Everyone loves our year round vacation weather with temperatures in the gentle 50's and 60's in the winter and spring, and 70's throughout summer and fall.
Oakland's residents love their city's charming neighborhoods, which include a mix of well-known areas like Montclair, Rockridge, and Piedmont, as well loved but lesser known districts such as Glenview, Fruitvale, and Temescal.
Located between Broadway and Clay, from Seventh to 10th Streets, historic Old Oakland is lined with elegantly restored Victorian buildings dating back to the 1870s that now house shops, galleries, and restaurants. Fridays it hosts a Friday farmer's market.
It's referred to as Chinatown, but the 25-block commercial and cultural district is a much broader reflection of Oakland's diverse Asian community. Specialty shops, restaurants, markets, bakeries and attractions, are year-round favorites, and the Chinatown Streetfest attracts 100,000 visitors annually. The Oakland Asian Cultural Center is one of the largest pan-Asian cultural centers in the country.
Jack London Square offers world-class jazz, dining, lodging and shopping along the water's edge. The U.S.S. Potomac, FDR's Floating White House, is docked here, and locals and non-locals love raising a glass at Heinhold's First and Last Chance Saloon.
Join the local joggers for the best view of Lake Merritt, one of America's most beautiful urban saltwater lakes and its oldest national wildlife refuge. The streets in the Lakeshore/Grand Avenue area nearby are lined with shops and restaurants. Built in 1926, the Grand Lake Theater screens the latest movie releases and even features music played on a vintage Wurlitzer on Friday and Saturday evenings.
In north Oakland, Piedmont Avenue is lined with an eclectic blend of antique and vintage shops, boutiques, jewelry stores, bookstores and a popular local cinema. Outdoor cafes and coffee houses invite casual snacking, while restaurants offer eclectic cuisine. At the top of Piedmont Avenue is Julia Morgan's magnificent Chapel of the Chimes.
Rockridge combines big city sophistication with relaxed urban/suburban environment. Extending more than two miles from Oakland to Berkeley, College Avenue is a smorgasbord of specialty shops, restaurants, bars, gourmet foods, chic clothing, rare books, and antiques. Market Hall houses a bakery as well as produce, fish, flower, and wine markets.
Montclair Village lies at the base of the East Bay hills, making it a great stop before or after a trip to Chabot Space & Science Center or one of the nearby East Bay parks. The area features restaurants, cafes and coffee houses, many with outdoor seating, and great shopping.
The Fruitvale District has emerged as a thriving multicultural commercial area with a strong Latino identity recognized throughout the Bay Area. Cultural events such as the annual Dia de los Muertos festival attract tens of thousands of people. The new Fruitvale Village has added housing, retail and office space surrounding a pedestrian plaza at the Fruitvale BART Station.
To visit Oakland’s event calendar click here.