Oakland Tourist Attractions

Alameda County
Location and origin
Oakland, connected with San Francisco by the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, and situated only 8mi/12km east of the metropolis on the west bank of the great bay, was where the lumberjacks lived who discovered the big oak-forests near the bay and the beautiful redwood stands in the nearby hills, very little of which remain today.

Dunsmuir House and Gardens

Dunsmuir House was built by Alexander Dunsmuir, who came to the Bay Area in 1878. He was the son of Robert Dunsmuir, a wealthy coal baron from Victoria, British Columbia - Alexander oversaw the family business in San Francisco.
Dunsmuir House was designed by San Francisco architect, J. Eugene Freeman, and is an example of Neoclassical-Revival architecture. The 37-room mansion features a Tiffany-style dome, woodpaneled public rooms, 10 fireplaces and inlaid parquet floors.

Oakland Zoo in Knowland Park

7mi/11km south of the town center is a zoo which you can reach by the U.S. 580 road.
Knowland Park is a 525 acre reserve. The zoo has over 300 animals and plants from the surrounding region.
There is a children's zoo where the tots can feed and pet goats and sheep. The kids might also enjoy a ride on the CP Huntington miniature train or the Sky Ride which gives an overview of the zoo.

Jack London Square

Jack London gave his name to Jack London Square at the end of Broadway, where a bust of the author stands. Adjoining Jack London Square at the bottom of Alice Street is Jack London Village, with shops, restaurants and a marina.

Farmers' Market

The Farmers' Market is a culturally diverse setting with a variety of produce, bake goods, fresh flowers and seafood.

Mormon Temple

The Mormon Temple in Oakland was designed in 1963 and is the only Mormon temple in Northern California. The hilltop location offers excellent views of Oakland and San Francisco.

Bret Harte Boardwalk

Of the writers who lived in Oakland in their youth, Bret Harte and Jack London are the best-known. Bret Harte Boardwalk got its name from the former.

Chabot Space and Science Center

The Chabot Space and Science Center offers visitors hands-on science exhibitions, a planetarium and viewings on a 20 inch refractor telescope.

Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension

The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension is a copper domed Byzantine church which overlooks the city.

Mills College Art Museum

Mills College Art Museum offers changing exhibits by contemporary artists and senior art students.

Morcom Rose Garden (formerly Morcom Amphitheater of the Roses)

The Morcom Rose Garden in Oakland has eight acres of gardens with reflecting pools. Peak season is May through September.

Oakland International Airport

Oakland International Airport has two terminals, each with a visitor information center. The grounds feature the Oakland Western Aerospace Museum.

Oakland Aviation Museum (formerly Western Aerospace Museum)

The Oakland Aviation Museum is located in a 1940 hangar at the Oakland International Airport. The museum features a Lockheed 10-A and many other interesting aircraft as well as a history of air flight.

World Trade Center

The World Trade Center, which has an exhibition of products from all parts of the globe, occupies the building's north wing.

Joaquin Miller Park

Joaquin Miller Park, is named after a California writer who lived in Oakland.