Oakland Facts

Oakland is one of the most diverse cities in the United States, and the different parts of Oakland are as diverse as its residents. From quaint, hill villages to the thriving, urban downtown, Oakland is quite the melting pot of people, cuisine, and neighborhoods.

Downtown/City Center

Downtown Oakland has undergone a sort of revitalization in past years, and is now a thriving business and cultural center for not only the city, but the whole Bay Area. Oakland's downtown encompasses a good amount of historical interest too, with Old Oakland (between Broadway, Clay, Seventh and 10th streets), which features Victorian buildings dating back to the 19th Century, Preservation Park, and the historic...

...is worlds apart from its sister city across the bay. Originally little more than a cluster of ranches and farms, Oakland exploded in size and stature practically overnight, when the last mile of transcontinental railroad track was laid down. Major shipping ports soon followed and, to this day, Oakland remains one of the busiest industrial ports on the West Coast.

The price for economic success, however, is Oakland's lowbrow reputation as a predominantly working-class city; it is forever in the shadow of chic San Francisco. However, as the City by the Bay has become crowded and expensive in the past few years, Oakland has experienced a rush of new residents and businesses. As a result, Oak-town...