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Oakland

· Oakland, CA

Why you should go…

Oakland pairs 19 miles of San Francisco Bay coastline with hillside neighborhoods, anchored by Lake Merritt at its center. Condé Nast Traveler readers voted it a top food city in the U.S., and the town's arts scene spans the Oakland Museum of California, live music venues, and distinct neighborhoods like Chinatown, Jack London District, and Temescal. The Oakland Zoo and Chabot Space and Science Center round out its family attractions.

  • #lake merritt
  • #east bay
  • #museums
  • #dining

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Oakland, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Pacific Pinball Museum

    $25–$50

    An Alameda museum packed with dozens of playable pinball machines spanning nearly a century.

    1.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Downtown Berkeley

    Free

    Berkeley's civic and cultural core around Shattuck Avenue, next to the UC Berkeley campus and BART.

    5.2 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Berkeley

    Free

    Berkeley's official visitor center for maps, itineraries and recommendations a block from the Downtown Berkeley BART station.

    5.2 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    San Francisco Bay Ferry

    Under $25

    Passenger ferries linking San Francisco's Ferry Building to Oakland, Alameda, Sausalito, and other bay towns.

    6.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Tours
    Iconic

    Red and White Fleet

    $25–$50

    San Francisco Bay sightseeing cruises departing from Fisherman's Wharf, including views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.

    6.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Museums
    Local Gem

    San Francisco Railway Museum

    Free

    A small nonprofit museum on the Embarcadero celebrating San Francisco's cable cars and vintage streetcars.

    6.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums