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1. Jack London Square
- This is a Port of Oakland attraction named after the famous author and Oakland native. The charming waterfront property is filled with numerous... read more
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- Attractions
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2. Mountain View Cemetery
- The Mountain View Cemetery is a large cemetery in Oakland, California. It was established in 1863 by a group of East Bay Pioneers under the California... read more
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- Hiking
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3. Oakland California Temple
- People of all religious beliefs have been known to visit here because of its magnificent views and lovely architecture. It is one of the most beautiful... read more
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- Attractions
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4. Oracle Arena & McAfee Coliseum
- Costing USD25.5 million when first built in 1966, the Coliseum underwent renovations and became home to the Oakland Athletics, the Oakland Raiders... read more
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- Attractions
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5. Oakland Museum of California
Two blocks south of Lake Merritt, the Oakland Museum of California incorporates just about everything you'd want to know about the state and its...
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- Picnics, Parks & Gardens
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6. Lake Merritt
- A shallow, 195-acre lake in downtown Oakland lies in the heart of Oakland. Close to the Piedmont neighborhood, the Lake Merritt area is home to... read more
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- Picnics, Parks & Gardens
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7. Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
- Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum provides a memorable setting for any outdoor event. Recently having undergone a $120 Million renovation, the Coliseum... read more
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- Sports
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8. Camron-Stanford House
- This historic Victorian mansion is the last of its kind at Lake Merritt in downtown Oakland. Built in 1875, it was once the home of one of Oakland's... read more
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- Landmarks
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9. Oakland Museum of California
- This East Bay museum is an architectural work of art and is filled with a variety of educational exhibits, permanent and temporary, that touch... read more
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- Museums
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10. Oakland Zoo
- The Oakland Zoo is home to more than 440 exotic and domestic birds, mammals, marsupials, and reptiles. Some of its attractions include a park with... read more
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- Zoos/Aquariums
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The Best of NileGuide
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It may be less famous and less eccentric, but don't overlook San Francisco's neighbor to the east. Oakland grew up as an industrial city, spurred into wealth by the automobile and manufacturing industries in the earlier parts of the last century. Since then, it suffered through a loss of productivity but in recent decades has begun to overcome its bad rap and to grow and even blossom as a destination of its own.
With weather in between that of San Francisco and the Central Valley, Oakland is lucky enough to experience warm and sunny days for much of the year. Spend time outside in the parkland around Lake Merritt, a salt-water "lake" (really an estuary) in the middle of the city which was the country's first wildlife refuge. On the lakeshore is a children's park, botanical gardens, and miles of walking and bike paths.
Across the lake is Chinatown, a bustling and authentic area that's one of the country's oldest neighborhoods of its kind. Unlike the Chinatown of other cities like New York and San Francisco, Oakland's Chinatown is more of an pan-Asian-town, with cultural influence from all over southern and eastern Asia. That means lots of delicious cuisines and fun souvenirs to search for.
Another unique part of Oakland is the renovated and preserved Victorian homes, such as Preservation Park. Complete with fountains and detailed landscaping, the Park is a great place for a walk or for planning an event - this is the perfect spot for a romantic throwback wedding.
There are also a number of museums worth visiting in different parts of the city. The Oakland Museum of California is filled with more information about California than anyone could absorb in one day, from art to history to geology. Even museum-shy kids can find something to interest them here. Or head to the Chabot Space and Science Center, which features a planetarium and several public-access telescopes - also a great place for a family activity.
