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Oakland

Oakland is a port city in the Bay Area of California in the United States. Once an industrial area overshadowed by San Francisco, its larger neighbor to the west, this city of 440,000 people (2020) has begun to step out from under San Francisco's shadow with its notable natural and architectural features and its rise as the multicultural "hipster" city of the Bay Area.

See
25
Do
21
Eat
66
Drink
27
Buy
23

21 places match

  1. Do

    Children's Fairyland

    Mixed seasonal hours, almost always open on weekends. Amazing, dynamic playground and destination for children, right on Lake Merritt. Fairyland was one of the earliest themed amusement parks, and was an inspiration for everything from Disneyland to the Jejune Institute. Please note that only adults with children can enter. Make sure you get a Magic Key to activate audio stories on the various displays.

    Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-5PM

  2. Do

    Fox Theater

    A former movie theatre, the Fox was built in 1928. It closed its doors in 1970 and stood empty until 2009, when it reopened as a 1,500-2,800 seat music venue, following a two-year, $75-million renovation. One block from the 19th St BART stop, it is in the heart of Oakland's Uptown neighborhood, which is also being re-named the Arts and Entertainment district.

  3. Do

    Grand Lake Theater

    This beautiful Art Deco theater (built in 1926) shows first-run movies. It has a spectacular neon sign that is lit on weekends, and is famous for the ultra-liberal (and sometimes conspiracy-minded) weekly sign proclamations from the theater owner. At Friday and Saturday evening shows, an organist plays standards in the main theater.

  4. Do

    Museum of Children's Arts

    MOCHA

    A hands-on art workshop aimed at kids ages 6-15, covering topics like illustration and architecture and sculpture and even DIY art to wear!

    Wed-Fri 10AM-1PM, Sat Sun private events only

  5. Do

    Pan Theater

    An improv theater that offers acting classes as well as live comedy performances.

    $15 door, $14 online

  6. Do

    Paramount Theater

    This gorgeous Depression-era theater, completed in 1931, has been completely restored and is maintained in almost mint condition. It's worth just looking at the sculpture, the paintings, even the carpets. Shows include classic movies, concerts, and other live performances.

  7. Do

    Piedmont Theatre

    The oldest still-operating theater in Oakland (built in 1917), completely restored and renovated in 2010 shows first-run movies. Saturdays are frequently marked by the showing of art-house and independent films.

  8. 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

  9. Do

    Regal Jack London Stadium 9

    Very large theater that shows first run movies, and usually has weekly rebate days that tend to lead to the place being full of kids.

  10. Do

    The New Parish

    Live performing artists, DJs and readings abound at this venue a stone's throw away from the Financial District.

  11. Do

    The New Parkway Theater

    A second-run movie theater, the Parkway does not have screens in the traditional sense. Movies are projected at the flat white concrete walls, with large comfy couches to sit on. Best of all, they serve pizza, salads, and beer that you can eat and drink while you watch a movie.

  12. Do Not mapped

    Día de Los Muertos Annual Festival

    An outdoor festival that draws 100,000 people to celebrate Hispanic history and culture in the Fruitvale neighborhood. Live music, family-friendly games, rides and activities, traditional Latin American artisans, and the altar artistic installations created by community members. October 31.

  13. Do Not mapped

    Eat Real Fest

    A celebration of food and food culture, especially locally-grown ingredients. A combination county fair, food festival and block party, by their own admission.

    Second weekend in SeptemberEntry is free, no food item over $5

  14. Do Not mapped

    Halloween On Piedmont

    The entire length of Piedmont Avenue from West MacArthur Blvd. to Pleasant Valley Ave. including Mountain View Cemetery participates in this event. Trick-or-treating is allowed at many of the stores, pumpkin patches, haunted houses, special movies at Piedmont Theater and so on. Security handled by a local biker group.

    Last Saturday in October

  15. Do Not mapped

    Oakland Art and Soul Weekend

    Four stages worth of live music, in a city with a long history in the arts. Blues, Jazz, Rap, R&B and Indie performances abound.

    Third weekend in August$50-60 at the gate

  16. 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

  17. Do Not mapped

    Oaktoberfest

    The Dimond District's answer to Oktoberfest; biergartens, stuff from local breweries and even a root biergarten for those who want to celebrate without alcohol.

    Last weekend of September$20 and up - see website

  18. Do

    Oakland Symphony Chorus

    1440 Broadway, Suite 405

  19. Do

    The Oakland Symphony

    Check website for performance dates, venues and tickets.

  20. Do Not mapped

    Oakland Youth Orchestra

    1440 Broadway, Suite 405