Oakland, CA

Travel Guide

Lake Merritt featuring a pond
Chabot Space and Science Center featuring an observatory and interior views
Oakland Zoo which includes views
Oakland showing interior views and a park
Oakland featuring modern architecture

Farmers markets, a multicultural culinary scene, stunning art deco architecture and an exciting zoo make Oakland a must-visit location for Bay area visitors. 

Visit Oakland to discover one of America’s most beautiful theaters or explore the country’s first wildlife refuge. Enjoy waterfront dining and shopping in Jack London Square or relax in one of the city’s many live music bars.

Oakland is the third-largest city in the San Francisco Bay area. Once infamous as home to the Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang, the city has reinvented itself and now combines historical treasures such as City Hall with modern wonders like the Chabot Space & Science Center.

Learn about the city’s past in the Oakland Museum, which features historical exhibits, a display on California’s ecology and a rooftop sculpture garden. Discover the stories of Oakland’s black population in the African American Museum & Library. 

Take a walk or a jog around Lake Merritt, a saltwater lagoon in the middle of the city. This was also the first nature reserve in the United States. The city has about 260 sunny days a year, making it a great place for outdoor enthusiasts.

Families will enjoy the Oakland Zoo, while couples and friends can attend a live performance in the splendid Paramount Theatre. Go to Jack London Square and stop in at the saloon where the novelist used to drink. This waterside square has a Sunday farmers market in addition to its fine dining and shopping.

Oakland’s creative side is highlighted at the annual August Art + Soul, a festival featuring musical performances, arts and crafts, food and more. Take advantage of the monthly event known as the First Friday Arts Festival, when galleries stay open late, performers line the streets and pop-up food stalls offer a variety of delicious treats.

Get around on the Bay Area Rapid Transportation (BART) rail system or use the good network of buses. Some BART stations, most notably the one on 16th Street, are attractions in themselves, showcasing interesting architecture and ornate facades.

Oakland’s warm weather, arts and multiculturalism give you the best ingredients of the modern California city.

Where to stay in Oakland

Lake Merritt featuring a pond

Downtown Oakland

3.5/5(342 area reviews)

Central business district with a mix of residential, retail, and office spaces, Downtown Oakland offers an Entertainment District, historic theaters, Oakland Museum, and outdoor retail mall. Easily accessible via BART and AC Transit.

Downtown Oakland
Berkeley showing a river or creek, a sunset and general coastal views

Downtown Berkeley

4/5(147 area reviews)

Take time in Downtown Berkeley to visit attractions like Historic Berkeley and Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Downtown Berkeley Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Berkeley
Gourmet Ghetto

North Berkeley

4/5(14 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in North Berkeley, Historic Berkeley and Aftel Archive of Curious Scents are top sights worth seeing.

North Berkeley
Piedmont showing street scenes and outdoor art

Piedmont

You'll enjoy the lake views and architecture in Piedmont. You might want to make time for a stop at Davie Tennis Stadium or Piedmont Sports Field.

Piedmont
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Albany

The seaside views and shopping are a few reasons travelers visit Albany. Want to see more of the surrounding area? Golden Gate Fields and Berkeley Marina are a few top sights nearby.

Albany
Bay Area

West Oakland

2.5/5(2 area reviews)

Major West Coast port and trade center, this bustling area boasts the busiest port in Northern California, surrounded by a picturesque landscape of coastal terrace prairie, oak woodland, and north coastal scrub.

West Oakland
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina
4 out of 5
200 Marina Blvd, Berkeley, CA
The price is NT$3,899 per night from Jun 22 to Jun 23
NT$3,899
NT$4,414 total
Jun 22 - Jun 23
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Berkeley. Enjoy free WiFi, a marina, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,965 reviews)
"Nice place"

Reviewed on 2025/6/18

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina
Claremont Resort & Club
Claremont Resort & Club
5 out of 5
41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley, CA
The price is NT$7,449 per night from Jun 20 to Jun 21
NT$7,449
NT$10,340 total
Jun 20 - Jun 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Berkeley. Enjoy 3 outdoor pools, 3 restaurants, and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Excellent stay! Would go again :)"

Reviewed on 2025/6/16

Claremont Resort & Club
Oakland Airport Executive Hotel
Oakland Airport Executive Hotel
3 out of 5
150 Hegenberger Rd, Oakland, CA
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Oakland. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall ...
5.8/10 (2,053 reviews)
"The staff are friendly and housekeeping works extremely hard to keep the rooms clean. There’s an SUV that has clearly been broken into that sits at the parking lot entrance and it has been there for months. The room keys only work for a day so you have to get a new one every day so if you leave in ..."

Reviewed on 2025/6/14

Oakland Airport Executive Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Coral Reef Inn & Suites
Coral Reef Inn & Suites
2.5 out of 5
400 Park St, Alameda, CA
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Alameda. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
6.8/10 (2,739 reviews)
"property is very dated... but that can often wk to you benefit... huge rooms and closets"

Reviewed on 2025/6/11

Coral Reef Inn & Suites
Dimond Abode Vacation Rental 3428
Dimond Abode Vacation Rental 3428
5 out of 5
3428 Adell Ct, Oakland, CA
Stay at this 5-star luxury vacation home in Oakland. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and furnished balconies or patios. Popular attractions Jack London Square ...
"The property was convenient for us. It was spotlessly clean. The small details were nicely thought out. The person who met us at the property was helpful and friendly. We have only one criticism: There is a wall between units that is not soundproofed. It needs to be. We were kept awake the entire ..."

Reviewed on 2024/12/27

Dimond Abode Vacation Rental 3428
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Oakland

3.6
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
261
5 - Excellent 17%
4 - Good
623
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
501
3 - Okay 32%
2 - Disappointing
110
2 - Disappointing 7%
1 - Terrible
75
1 - Terrible 5%

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveler

I hated this hotel

3/5 - Okay

BayAreaTraveler

Crime rate and overall city’s cleanliness needs to be addressed.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

This is my hometown I love Oakland

5/5 - Excellent

Johanna

I loved the food and the Golden State Bridge and the museum.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Food’s always a highlight and the Fox theater

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Oakland is a very interesting place. The city itself needs to be cleaned up quite a bit but overall it's somewhere interesting to visit.

Cities near Oakland