Oakland, California has many tourist attractions, including Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merrit, Oakland Zoo, Chinatown, Jack London Square, and the Oakland Coliseum. Nearby cities like San Francisco and Berkeley also offer additional activities.
There are many tourist attractions in Oakland, California that will keep the traveler entertained. Oakland is a city of few firsts, such as a three-dimensional amusement park for children, which inspired Walt Disney to create Disneyland and the creation of the first popsicle sticks. It also has some interesting features that make it unique. Lake Merrit, Oakland’s beautiful lake, is the only saltwater lake completely surrounded by a city.
Sitting just across the San Francisco Bay from San Francisco and located right next to Berkeley, California, you may still be too intrigued by Oakland’s many tourist attractions to take the time to visit another one of these beautiful cities. But their proximity to Oakland offers additional tourist activities if you’d like to see more of the San Francisco Bay Area.
If you have children, especially ages ten and younger, your first stop might be Children’s Fairyland, one of Oakland’s most beloved tourist attractions. Fairyland is very child-friendly, with gentle rides, fairy-based climbing structures, a wonderful dragon slide, and lots of games and shows to keep young children entertained. It’s a magical place for young children, but older children may not be able to take on all the rides. Be sure to check with the park for height requirements.
Children’s Fairyland is located on beautiful Lake Merrit, certainly one of Oakland’s best tourist attractions. You can take walks around the lake, watch sailors and windsurfers, and have picnics in many of the beautiful park areas planned around the lake. At night the lake is lit up – be sure to go with friends if you plan on walking Lake Merrit at night.
To keep all the kids happy, check out the nearby Oakland Zoo, one of California’s finest, with plenty for the family to do. The Oakland Museum of California and the downtown Oakland area can be both fun and educational places to visit. They represent the history of the city of Oakland and its place in the development of California.
Another of Oakland’s tourist attractions is Chinatown, smaller but not much newer than San Francisco. There are plenty of opportunities for shopping and dining in Oakland’s Chinatown, and it’s much easier to park and navigate than San Francisco’s Chinatown. With Oakland’s many Chinese-American residents, you can certainly be assured of wonderfully authentic and mouthwatering meals at its restaurants.
One of the famous tourist attractions in Oakland is Jack London Square. It offers many shops and restaurants, overlooking the San Francisco Bay. While you’re at it, don’t forget to visit Heinhold’s First and Last Chance Saloon. This tiny wooden structure is also known as ‘Jack London’s Rendezvous’, as it was frequented by the author as a young man. From Jack London Square you can also take ferries to visit San Francisco or Vallejo, and a tour of San Francisco Bay is worthwhile.
Plant and horticulture enthusiasts will enjoy visits to the Knowland State Park Arboretum and the Joseph McInnes Botanic Garden. If you are looking for unusual and free tourist attractions in Oakland do not miss a visit to the rich Piedmontese town, completely surrounded by Oakland. Here you will find some of the finest architecture on the west coast and certainly some of the most impressive villas. Just park your car and take a walk through the streets of Piedmont to admire the beautiful houses.
If you’re looking for entertainment, you should definitely check the schedule at the Oakland Coliseum, which has both indoor and outdoor stadiums. Famous rock bands often perform at the Colosseum. Alternatively, if you’re a sports fan, one of Oakland’s biggest tourist attractions is still the Coliseum, home to the Athletics, Raiders and Golden State Warriors. There is usually the option to attend a home game, although if you don’t purchase tickets in advance, you may not be able to get them.
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