Visit Oakland

Oakland is a year-round destination but is particularly nice in the spring and summer. In comparison to San Francisco weather, Oakland tends to be warmer and sunnier, with less wind and fog, making it an attractive option for travelers seeking consistent and mild weather.

Oakland boasts a robust music and nightlife scene. Enjoy live music at the historic Fox Theater, Eli’s Mile High Club or Yoshi’s Oakland for jazz. Woodminster Amphitheater at Joaquin Miller Park hosts Broadway productions from early July to early September. Alternatively, Lake Merritt is a great place to go for cityscape views during a nighttime stroll.

The 10-acre Children's Fairyland is a whimsical amusement park for younger children, with dozens of storybook sets, animals and rides. The Oakland Zoo and Chabot Space & Science Center offer interactive family fun. Nearby Alameda is home to the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum, where families can experience the USS Hornet, exhibits ranging from World War II to the Space Race, and programming like chapel services and paranormal tours.

Oakland's food culture is diverse in cuisines and creative dining options, such as food tours like Oakland's Temescal Tastes or Black Food Tour. Community gardens also play a crucial role in promoting sustainability and farm-to-table experiences in Oakland; many restaurants focus on sustainable ingredients — notably AAA Four Diamond Commis Dining Room and Three Diamond Wood Tavern. Oakland’s waterfront Jack London Square features restaurants with regional specialties like fresh seafood, while historic Swan's Market is a food hall and gathering place with many food vendors and stalls.

Yes, and Oakland parks in particular are a treasure trove of natural beauty, offering rolling hills and forested areas with trails perfect for recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, hiking, fishing, swimming and horseback riding, although facilities vary per park. Some notable parks in Oakland include Anthony Chabot, Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve, Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve, Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Temescal Regional Recreation Area and Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. Visitors can kayak at Lake Merritt, said to be the country’s oldest designated wildlife refuge, or choose to bike along the scenic San Francisco Bay Trail or Alexander Zuckermann Bicycle-Pedestrian Path (Bay Bridge Bike Path) — the first leg of a route from Oakland to San Francisco.