While San Francisco is the bay-area city that seems to get all of the attention, Oakland has over the years succeeded in becoming a trendy, up-and-coming destination of it’s own. Back in the day, Oakland was a fairly nondescript manufacturing city. These days, however, it’s a city that is dripping in style and oozing with personality. Keep watching to see Viecations top picks of the best things to do in Oakland, California.
Lake Merritt
This park features expansive green lawns, lush groves of luxurious trees, and numerous relaxing picnic areas. This sprawling green space offers visitors a little oasis of peace and tranquility in the very heart of the city. Locals frequently come here to socialize and unwind.
The Lakeside Park at Lake Merritt boasts seven acres of themed gardens, including the fantastic Bonsai Garden and the aromatic Sensory Garden, which features a fragrant display of plants, including rosemary, oregano, lavender, and Grecian bay trees. The park also has an Edible Garden that gives visitors a glimpse at what it takes to grow organic vegetables and fruits. Then there’s the beautiful Mediterranean Garden that encircles a historic fountain featuring a number of impressive water features.
Within the park is an attraction called the Children’s Fairyland. This storybook-themed space is said to have inspired Walt Disney and is one of the best spots for families visiting with young kids to explore. Surrounding the lake is a three-mile walking path. Other things worth doing at the park include water sports and bird watching.
Guests can rent kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, and pedal boats by the hour over at the Lake Merritt Sailboat House during the spring, summer, and autumn.
The park is also home to a lovely wildlife sanctuary. Since the lake is technically a tidal lagoon filled with seawater, it draws in a wide range of avian species, such as pelicans, snowy egrets, black cormorants, and Canadian geese. Established back in 1870, this is also one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries in the nation.
Oakland Museum of California
With a vast collection of permanent displays and rotating exhibits, this museum is proud to display the rich and unique culture and heritage of the region. There are numerous exhibits dedicated to topics like history, the arts, and natural sciences.
The history of the Oakland community is also showcased here, with exhibits ranging from politics to civil rights and the modern-day social justice movement. A visit to this museum is easily one of the best things to do when visiting Oakland – especially if you’re in the least bit interested in getting a lesson in the city’s history.
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The Fox Theater
Opened in 1928 as the Oakland Theater, this venue underwent a massive renovation in 2009 and reopened after being closed for more than four decades. This cinema house turned concert venue features an art deco interior that’s practically begging to you marvel at it’s ornate ceiling. Some of the biggest names in the music industry regularly play shows here. If you’re interested in taking your date here for a romantic night out on the town, be sure to book your tickets in advance because many shows sell out quickly.
The Red Market
Before European settlers claimed the area as their own, Oakland was inhabited by the Ohlone Tribe. One of the best ways to support this indigenous population is by paying them a visit at the Red Market. The market is held on the first Sunday of every month and features the work of indigenous artists and designers who come out to gather and pay their respects to their Native American culture. If you’ve never had the chance to try Fry Bread, make sure you pick some up. It’s an absolutely delicious treat that will make you wonder why you’ve waited this long to discover it.
Jack London Square
Jack London Square is situated in a waterfront setting and features a lively maritime atmosphere. This historic neighborhood is set among the Oakland estuary and was famously the stomping ground of the great American author Jack London.
London used to work at the docks of the Oakland Port. Today, at the center of the squares sits a replica of the log cabin that he lived in during his wilderness expedition in Alaska.
In addition to being a historical hotbed, Jack London Square today has a trendy dining scene and a serene waterfront trail. The square and the surrounding area boast many highly-regarded restaurants, each with pleasing outdoor terraces overlooking the water.
We highly recommend checking out Everett and Jones, a soul food restaurant found at the entrance of the square that is known for it’s authentic Southern-style BBQ and live music.
It’s also worth taking the time to see the historic USS Potomac ship that is docked at the port at 540 Water Street. This was actually President Roosevelt’s presidential yacht between 1934 and 1945. Today visitors can take dockside tours, go on sightseeing tours, romantic dinner cruises, and lunchtime history outings aboard the historic vessel.
Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
This park is a second-growth forest on land that was cleared for it’s timber in the mid-19th century. Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt, the elected first board of directors member for the park’s district, painstakingly led the preservation effort to protect the forest in the 1930s. With Reinhardt’s help and direction, the redwood forest was regenerated and opened to the public as a park in 1939. In 2019, the park got renamed in honor of Reinhardt’s years of civil service work.
This lush redwood forest can be found just a few miles out of downtown Oakland and is worth going out of your way to visit. Park guests enjoy meditating among the pristine groves. The park is also a perfect place to participate in activities like hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
The park’s well-manicured trails invite guests to wander through the redwoods. Detailed trail maps are available for those looking to familiarize themselves with the lay of the land.
Oakland Zoo
This 490-acre zoo, located at Knowland Park, is home to more than 850 native and exotic animal species who live in natural habits like the African Savanna, the Australian outback, and tropical rainforest. Kid’s will love getting up close and personal with wildlife over at the Wayne and Gladys Valley Children’s Zoo, which features a Lily Pad Pond and Otter Den. In addition to getting to see live animal feedings, children can also the enjoy the opportunity of petting friendly sheep and goats.
On a gondola that is 650 feet above sea level, park guests can get an aerial view of the California Trail education center, which hosts a herd of bison. You can also hop aboard the Sky Ride to glide over the African Savanna. During your ride, you’ll likely see zebras, elephants, giraffes, and lions.
At the end of the gondola ride is the Landing Cafe. Here you can fill your stomach with artisan pizza, flame-grilled burgers, deli sandwiches, and salads. Guests can also appreciate the sweeping views of the surrounding area.
The zoo is furthermore home to a carousel, a train, a roller coaster, and several other thrilling rides. In between meals, visitors can purchase snacks and beverages at the Safari Cafe.
Chabot Space & Science Center
Located inside the Reinhardt Redwood Park, this state-of-the-art museum and science center presents numerous fun, engaging, and informative exhibits about our planet, solar system, and neighboring galaxies.
The center has interactive labs as well as research-level telescopes that give guests of all ages the opportunity to learn about the cosmos.
Exhibits include an immersive exploration of near space as well as a comprehensive look at the expansive universe that lies just beyond our current level of perception. One of the most fascinating exhibits presents an animated, real-time representation of our solar system’s central star, the sun. Curious visitors can look at sun features like solar flares and hot spots.
The center also has a planetarium with a 70-foot full dome. Here presentations using digital projections give audiences a stunning show that includes seamless images and world-class digital sound effects. You’ll have a blast while watching the engaging stargazing show which is sure to give you a sense of being fully immersed in the night’s sky.
Sitting 1,500 feet above sea level is the center’s Observation deck. This deck features three telescopes that are well positioned to give viewers an intimate glimpse into the distant universe. The deck even features an instrument that dates back to 1883 that was donated by the founder of the center, Anthony Chabot.
Unfortunately, we’re just about out of time. We only scratched the surface of all the amazing attractions that await you in Oakland, California, but hopefully now you have a better idea of where to get started when visiting this bustling bay-area city.
What are you most excited to see and do in Oakland, California? If you’ve already had the pleasure of visiting Oakland before, tell us in the comments what some of your favorite things to do in and around the city are.
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As always, thanks for watching, and safe travels!