Things to do in Oakland, California
- Oakland has the highest concentration of artists per capita in the United States.
- The city is home to the oldest wildlife refuge in the United States, established at Lake Merritt in 1870.
- The 'Oakland' name originates from the abundant groves of coast live oaks that once covered the area's hills.
- Oakland serves as the administrative center for Alameda County and is a critical hub for global trans-Pacific shipping.
About Oakland, California
Oakland is situated on the east side of the San Francisco Bay, serving as a major port city defined by its diverse geography ranging from redwood forests to industrial waterfronts. Cultural institutions like the Oakland Museum of California explore the intersection of regional history and artistic innovation. Families often prioritize Children's Fairyland, while outdoor enthusiasts frequently head to Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve for its geological significance. The city's maritime heritage remains a cornerstone of its identity, prominently anchored by the bustling commercial and social activity at Jack London Square.
Highlights of Oakland, California
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Beaches and ponds
This waterfront hub offers diverse dining and direct access to the ferry terminal connecting to San Francisco.
Museums
The museum features an extensive collection dedicated to California's art, natural sciences, and social history.
Museums
Visitors can tour an Essex-class aircraft carrier that served in both World War II and the Apollo space program recovery missions.
Parks
This large municipal park features miles of hiking trails through redwood groves and steep canyon terrain.
Parks
Hikers can explore the remnants of a volcanic center, including a labyrinthine volcanic vent accessible by trail.
Amusement parks
Opened in 1950, this storybook-themed amusement park is credited with inspiring Walt Disney’s vision for Disneyland.
Top things to do in Oakland, California
The 140 highest-rated places in Oakland, California, ranked by travellers.
1
Beaches and ponds
Jack London Square is a historic waterfront district located on the Oakland Estuary, named after the author who frequent...
2
Parks
Tilden Regional Park spans over 2,000 acres in the Berkeley Hills, offering diverse ecosystems ranging from redwood fore...
3
Parks
Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park preserves the largest remaining natural stand of coast redwood trees in the East Bay. Th...
4
Museums
The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is a multi-disciplinary institution dedicated to the intersection of California'...
5
Venues
The Greek Theatre, officially the William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre, is an 8,500-seat outdoor amphitheater located o...
6
Museums
The USS Hornet (CV-12) is a decommissioned Essex-class aircraft carrier permanently docked as a museum in Alameda, Calif...
7
Parks
Joaquin Miller Park is a 500-acre regional park situated in the Oakland hills, characterized by dense redwood groves, oa...
8
Parks
The University of California Botanical Garden is a 34-acre living museum situated in Strawberry Canyon, housing over 10,...
9
Parks
Point Isabel Regional Shoreline is one of the largest public off-leash dog parks in the United States, spanning 23 acres...
10
Parks
The Berkeley Rose Garden is a terraced hillside park featuring over 3,000 rose bushes representing roughly 250 distinct...
11
Parks
Lafayette Reservoir is a 925-acre recreation area managed by the East Bay Municipal Utility District, featuring a 125-ac...
12
Parks
Cesar Chavez Park is a 90-acre waterfront park situated on a reclaimed landfill peninsula extending into the San Francis...
13
Parks
Indian Rock Park is a public municipal park in Berkeley, California, characterized by its prominent natural volcanic roc...
14
Parks
McLaughlin Eastshore State Park spans 8.5 miles of the San Francisco Bay shoreline, stretching from the Bay Bridge in Oa...
15
Parks
Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve is centered around the Round Top volcano, an extinct Miocene-era shield volcano that w...
16
Amusement parks
Children's Fairyland is a storybook-themed amusement park located on the shores of Lake Merritt in Oakland. Opened in 19...
17
Parks
Wildcat Canyon Regional Park spans 2,429 acres of protected ridgelands and canyons in the East Bay hills. The park provi...
18
Parks
Temescal Regional Recreation Area is a historic park centered around a 12-acre reservoir originally constructed in 1868...
19
Places of interest
The Albany Bulb is a 31-acre peninsula in San Francisco Bay created from decades of construction debris and landfill. It...
20
Parks
Marina Bay Park is a waterfront recreation area located on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay in Richmond, Calif...
21
Venues
California Memorial Stadium is a historic outdoor venue located on the UC Berkeley campus, primarily serving as the home...
22
Venues
The Lake Merritt Amphitheater is a modern, concrete-terraced venue built into the shoreline of Oakland's tidal lagoon. I...
23
Parks
Roberts Regional Recreation Area is a 82-acre park nestled within the redwood-forested hills of Oakland, California. The...
24
Parks
San Pablo Park is the oldest park in the Berkeley parks system, established in 1907. It spans approximately 13 acres in...
25
Venues
Berkeley Repertory Theatre is a Tony Award-winning regional theater organization located in downtown Berkeley, Californi...
26
Parks
The Morcom Rose Garden is a historic terraced municipal park in Oakland featuring over 6,000 rose bushes representing ne...
27
Temples
The Cathedral of Christ the Light is a modern Roman Catholic cathedral designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. The struc...
28
Parks
Middle Harbor Shoreline Park is a 38-acre waterfront space located on the former site of the Oakland Naval Supply Depot....
29
Venues
Cal Performances is the primary performing arts presenter for the University of California, Berkeley, operating out of Z...
30
Parks
The Gardens at Lake Merritt comprise a seven-acre botanical collection situated along the northern shore of Oakland's ti...
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Oakland, California on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Oakland, California
September and October, when the region experiences its warmest, clearest weather and the famous coastal fog frequently recedes.
3-4 days, allowing enough time to explore both the urban waterfront districts and the extensive regional parks in the hills.
The city is served by the BART rail system and AC Transit buses, though many regional parks and hillsides are best accessed by car or rideshare.
The Uptown and Downtown neighborhoods offer the most central access to dining and transit, while the Rockridge area provides a more residential, boutique feel.
Expensive, reflecting the high cost of living standard across the broader San Francisco Bay Area.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 140 curated attractions in and around Oakland, California, ranked by traveller ratings.
Jack London Square is the highest-rated place to visit in Oakland, California right now.
The largest category is parks, with 75 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Bayonne, New Jersey, Downtown Los Angeles, Washington, D.C..
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