Travel to Oakland

Travel to Oakland

Oakland, the 8th largest city in California, is located on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, close to the Berkeley Hills and five regional parks. Oakland is one of the most diverse cities in the country, and while it is not traditionally a popular tourist destination there is plenty to see and do here. There is a good and lively nightlife scene with a wide range of possibilities, some good parks with spectacular scenery and a number of excellent eateries and good hotels. It is certainly a pleasant place to spend a few days.

Transportation to Oakland

There are good transportation links, with access by road, rail and air all possible. Oakland International Airport mainly operates domestic routes, with destinations all over the USA as well as some flights to Mexico. The airport is well located just four miles outside the city. For those coming from further afield, San Francisco International Airport is around 30 minutes by road from Oakland.

Driving here is a good option for those with more time, and the route up the Pacific west coast offers some breathtaking scenery. The roads are excellent, making driving easy and the I-5 travels from Seattle in the north all the way to Los Angeles. Driving distances are long, with Seattle 800 miles north of Oakland, and Los Angeles 370 miles south.

The city is also served by Amtrak rail and Greyhound buses, which offer numerous routes around the country.

What to see

You will have no problems filling your time here and there is a decent range of things to do. A good place to start is the Oakland Museum of California, located just to the south of Lake Merritt. The museum offers an interesting insight into the history of California and its people, and there are also some interesting art displays.

The Chinatown here is one of the countrys oldest and there is a good atmosphere with an interesting range of shops and eateries offering some excellent food and snacks. If you are in Oakland during Chinese New Year or the Chinatown Streetfest, then you must visit.

The Paramount Theatre is a good example of Oaklands art-deco architecture and it still operates as a venue for concerts and theatrical displays, they also offer interesting and informative tours, twice a month. There are some volcanic rock outcrops located in the heart of some residential neighbourhoods and these are popular places to picnic, especially at sunset.

Day trips

There are a number of different day trips to do in the area. San Francisco is a short journey away by train, bus or car, and taking a boat tour is also popular. There a number of good parks in the area and also potential for camping.

Activities and leisure

Oakland is a good place for people who enjoy the outdoors and some of the scenery in the Bay Area is quite spectacular. Lake Merritt has been described as the Jewel of Oakland and is particularly popular for families with children. Charles Lee Tilden Regional Park has a range of activities and for serious hiking, mountain biking, or horse riding; the Bay Area Ridge Trail offers 300 miles of trails with some great views over San Francisco Bay.

Safety issues

Oakland is not the safest city in the world to visit, and it does have something of a bad reputation. However, the majority of serious crime here is gang related and specific to a few areas. Tourists should take note of a few key safety issues, there are a few areas that should be avoided at night, and you shouldnt walk around alone after dark. Bag snatchers and pickpockets may operate in busy tourist areas so make sure your belongings are close by. As with any trip, a comprehensive travel insurance policy is a must.