Oakland Leisure

There are some good sport and leisure options in Oakland, and in particular the parks in the Bay Area offer some fantastic hiking and camping opportunities. For spectator sports its well worth going to an Oakland Raiders US football or Oakland Athletics baseball game if you get the chance.

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders are the citys football team, and having spent over a decade playing in Los Angeles there was plenty of excitement when the team returned to Oakland in 1995. There is huge local rivalry with the San Francisco 49ers, although both teams have struggled, nationally, on the pitch in recent years. The Raiders play their home games in the McAfee Coliseum and if you are in Oakland during the season then its a fun day out if you can get to a game. The other major sports team to play in the Coliseum is the Oakland Athletics baseball team, also known as the As. The team have a rich history and play in the western division of the American league.

Parks

There are a number of parks and waterways in the Oakland vicinity with plenty of sporting options. The Anthony Chabot Regional Park is one of the biggest with nearly 5,000 acres. This includes a large lake where fishing and boating is very popular. Overlooking the lake is a family camping ground, with good facilities, and there is also an equestrian centre in the park. The Bay Area Ridge Trail covers 300 miles of trails for mountain biking, horse riding, hiking and trail running, and will eventually have an extra 200 miles of paths. The scenery is spectacular with some stunning views over the San Francisco Bay.

Golf and other sports

For keen golfers there are opportunities for a round or two while in Oakland. The Lake Chabot course in the Anthony Chabot Regional Park is perhaps the most attractive and has both an 18-hole and a nine-hole course. There is also a full 18-hole course at Metropolitan Golf Links, within minutes of the airport. Tennis is a popular sport here and the Davie Tennis Stadium is situated near Lake Merritt, with five excellent courts. Other options include ice-skating at the Oakland Ice Centre on 18th Street.