Top 15 Best Things to Do in Oakland, California

Bucket List: 15 Best Places to Visit in Oakland, California

Oakland, California, has entertaining activities that both children and adults can love. The city is home to the oldest wildlife refuge in the United States and other outdoor destinations that highlight the beauty and charm of nature. Child-friendly and fun attractions like the Children’s Fairyland, Oakland Zoo, and Chabot Space & Science Center can complete anyone’s day trip itinerary. Oakland’s most crowded months are June and July, followed by December, when festivals are held.

Lake Merritt

The Jewel of Oakland, Lake Merritt, is America’s first and oldest protected wildlife refuge. Many migratory birds stop at the lake and make it their home during the winter. These include herons, egrets, geese, and ducks. Because of this, Lake Merritt is an excellent place for casual and starting birdwatchers to see many species, like the black-crowned night herons, snowy egrets and scaups, and Egyptian geese and Mandarin ducks.

The Gardens at Lake Merritt

Lakeside Park is one of the most accessible parks in Oakland, with many activities and amenities for visitors to enjoy. Located within Lakeside Park, The Gardens at Lake Merritt is a collection of themed gardens that maintain the highest standards of horticulture and historic preservation. These themed gardens include the Bonsai Garden, the only major volunteer-run bonsai garden in the country that houses some of the most important bonsai in the US., the Palm Garden, the most extensive established collection of Mediterranean and high-altitude tropical palms in the US., and the Vireya Garden, the most comprehensive outdoor collection of Vireyas in the continental US. Other gardens include Bay-Friendly Garden, Edible Garden, Japanese Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Rhododendron Garden, Sensory Garden, and many more.

Location: 666 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610

Children’s Fairyland

Another attraction within Lakeside Park, Children’s Fairyland, is one of the earliest themed amusement parks in the US. It occupies 10 acres of land and is one of the Bay Area’s most affordable options for family entertainment. Some park attractions are small rides installed half a century ago, storybook sets, and farm animals.

Location: 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610

Jack London Square

Jack London Square, named after an American novelist, is Oakland’s only publicly accessible mixed-use waterfront and marina. In the center of the square is a replica of Jack London’s log cabin where he lived during a wilderness expedition in Alaska. The marina today has a lively atmosphere that offers visitors a trendy and vibrant outdoor recreation center.

Location: 472 Water Street, Oakland, CA 94607

Oakland Zoo

Oakland Zoo, home to more than 850 native and exotic animals, including mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and arthropods, was established in 1922. The zoo has multiple attractions, such as the California Trail, Wild Australia, and the African Savanna. Because the zoo is a nonprofit organization, every ticket purchase supports the zoo and the endangered animals in the wild.

Location: 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland, CA 94605

Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park

The Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park was named after Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt in 2019 to honor her civil service works and preservation efforts for the redwood forest. The park is home to many deer, rabbits, squirrels, and rare species like the golden eagle and the Alameda striped racer.

Since its opening as a public park in 1939, the forest has been installed with restrooms, water fountains, picnic areas, a children’s playground, and sites for overnight camping. The redwood forest has a network of hiking, cycling, equestrian trails, and paved paths for casual visitors. The magnificence of the redwood forest

Location: 7867 Redwood Road, Oakland, CA 94619

Temescal Regional Recreation Area

The park has pedestrian and bicycle trails that are either wheelchair accessible or not wheelchair accessible. Hikers, cyclists, and visitors are always advised to stay on trails to help control erosion and minimize contact with poison oak.

Reservable picnic areas, fishing docks, and swim areas are first-come-first-served. Lake Temescal is open to swimming and fishing, but kayaks or personal watercraft are not allowed. Within the park is the Beach House, a popular venue for weddings, parties, and corporate events with a stunning view of Lake Temescal.

Location: 6502 Broadway Terrace, Oakland, CA 94618

Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve – Mazzariello Labyrinth

The Mazzariello Labyrinth is a spiral in an old quarry in the Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. It was built illegally in 1989 by Helena Mazzariello but has been allowed to remain. The labyrinth is outlined by volcanic rocks and wildflowers. During park hours, visitors can walk the maze or hold ceremonies and special events with permission from the California Regional Park.

Location: 6800 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94611

Oakland Museum of California

The Oakland Museum of California has an extensive collection of exhibits and displays that highlight the culture and heritage of Oakland. There are dedicated areas in the museum that discuss different topics, like natural science, the arts, and history. The history of the Oakland community, including social justice movements and political activism, is also highlighted.

Location: 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, CA 94607

Chabot Space & Science Center

Chabot Space & Science Center is located within Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. The science museum focuses on space exploration through interactive and hands-on exhibits. Other museum features are space artifacts and the largest research-level observatory complex with three large-scale telescopes regularly available for public viewing weekly.

Every year, 189,000 guests and 50,000 students visit the museum. The main highlight for most guests is the 241-seat 70-feet full-dome Planetarium. Guests enjoy a simulated stargazing experience from the theater.

Location: 10000 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94619

African American Museum and Library at Oakland

The African American Museum and Library at Oakland is dedicated to the “discovery, preservation, interpretation and sharing of historical and cultural experiences of African Americans who settled in California and the West for present and future generations.”

Hundreds of permanent records of families of African American descent can be found in the museum and the library. This includes thousands of volumes of print references that tell the heritage, culture, and written works of African Americans. The library is designed to support the archives, museum, and students and researchers.

Location: 659 14th Street, Oakland, CA 94612

The Remember Them: Champions for Humanity Monument

The monument was built in the 1920s and features significant figures who played an essential role in global peace, freedom, and human rights. These figures include Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Elie Wiesel, Mother Teresa, and the Unknown Rebel of Tiananmen Square. National icons can also be found in monuments such as Abraham Lincoln, Cesar Chavez, Helen Keller, Chief Joseph, and Harvey Milk.

The Remember Them: Champions for Humanity Monument can be found in the Henry J. Kaiser Memorial Park in Downtown Oakland. It is the first monument where international figures are depicted together in a single monument.

Location: 536-556 19th Street, Oakland, CA

Downtown Oakland

Downtown Oakland has the busy city atmosphere any city-goer can like. From there, visitors can see the Henry J. Kaiser Memorial Park, a casual area to walk around and examine the busts that explain the Black history, or visit the Pardee Home Museum. In this historical landmark, visitors can arrange for a tea party. The Morcom Rose Garden can also be found near downtown Oakland, a city-owned garden in the middle of the city.

Morcom Rose Garden

The Morcom Rose Garden is a city-owned garden that has thousands of varieties of roses. The park is best visited in the spring and summer when the roses bloom. Visitors can stroll inside the garden, through the walkways and paved paths. The park is a popular wedding and unique event venue thanks to its enchanting atmosphere.

Location: 700 Jean Street, Oakland, CA 94610

Cleveland Cascade

Built in the 1920s and modeled after the fountains of Italy, the Cleveland Cascade is a 250-foot stairway with cascades in the center. During the 1950s, the water was shut off, neglected, and left to dry. It wasn’t until 2004 when a group of local volunteers found the old cascade and restored the fountains, installing a plaque explaining the history of the Cleveland Cascade.

The cascade is now popular with the locals and frequented by joggers. From the top of the cascade is a vantage point that overlooks Lake Merritt.

Location: Between Lakeshore Avenue and Merritt Avenue, Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610

How to get to Oakland

Oakland is accessible via land, sea, or air. Cars can enter through Interstates 101, 580, 880, and 980. Bus services that service routes to Oakland include Flixbus and Greyhound Lines. The San Francisco Bay Ferry stops at its Oakland Terminal. The nearest international airport to Oakland is Oakland International Airport (OAK). Several bus routes around Oakland via the AC Transit and the Emery-Go-Round. Long-term visitors are advised to acquire a Clipper card, an ‘all-in-one’ transit pass that can make public transit more accessible.

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Searching for the best hotels, resorts, and affordable flights in the nearby Cities? Check out our list of cheap Oakland CA hotels and resorts via Agoda, Booking, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.

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