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Free things to do in Oakland

6 places in Oakland with free entry or no charge, based on guide listings and map data.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Free things to do in Oakland

  1. See

    African American Museum and Library at Oakland

    This is a beautiful building, one of the libraries donated by Andrew Carnegie, and its exterior merits a look before or after you visit the interior. The museum is on the second floor. Some of the temporary exhibits are quite worthwhile, and the permanent exhibits, which tell the black history of Oakland in text, pictures, and videotaped interviews, are really well done. Check the AAMLO web site for information on special exhibits, programs and events, such as an African American walking tour of downtown Oakland.

    Mon-Thu, Sat 10AM-5:30PM, Fri noon-5:30PMFree

  2. See

    Joaquin Miller Park

    A beautiful park in the Oakland hills, made up in part of "The Hights", the old estate of California poet Joaquin Miller. The park has some of the few remaining old-growth redwood groves in the East Bay. Lots of hiking and bike-riding opportunities.

    Free

  3. Do

    Port of Oakland Harbor Tours

    Free Harbor Tours

    The Port of Oakland offers once a month a 90-minute free harbor tour of the Oakland harbor. A free reservation must be made online, reservation opens on the first Monday of each month at 8PM. Harbor tour dates for 2023 are: June 9, July 21, August 11, September 15, October 13.

    free

  4. Do Not mapped

    Oakland Chinatown Streetfest

    A celebration of many cultures. Local bands, singers, demonstrations by local acrobats and even the Shao Lin monks, Taiko drumming, Polynesian dance, all reflecting the amazing diversity of Oakland.

    Last weekend of AugustFree

  5. See Not mapped

    The Chapel of the Chimes

    An enormous labyrinthine columbarium designed by Julia Morgan, more famous as the architect of Hearst Castle. Hosts the yearly Garden of Memory experimental music festival. Open to the public, but be respectful as this is a burial site.

    Free

  6. See

    Pro Arts Gallery

    Special events on weekends.

    Thu Fri noon-6PMFree

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Oakland (CC BY-SA 4.0).