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Top 252 Things to Do in Oakland, California
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Top things to do in Oakland
#1Uptown Oakland Food & Drinks Tour
Oakland is making headlines as one of the top travel destinations in the world, and this district is the epicentre of the action. Uptown’s best restaurants, ...
#2Oakland's Temescal Tastes
Coined as Oakland’s “hipster” district for its many artsy young inhabitants, Temescal has also emerged as an eating destination, home to innovative offerings...
#3Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food Tour
The birthplace of California Cuisine, North Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto is home to both long-established culinary icons and emerging edible enterprises. Alice ...
#4Indoor Skydiving Experience
Experience all the plummeting, free falling, and soaring sensations of skydiving without ever getting on a plane. This indoor skydiving experience puts you i...
recommend100% of travellers recommend
Free cancellation Free cancellation
#5Airplane Tour of San Francisco, Oakland, Downtown & Sausalito
Lift off into the skies above San Francisco for an unforgettable sightseeing excursion with bird’s-eye views of the stunning Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Isl...
recommend100% of travellers recommend
Free cancellation Free cancellation
#6Full Day Yosemite - Half Dome and El Capitan 5 Hours in Park
Yosemite One Day Trip. Take this opportunity to see one of America's most unique National Parks, located 5 hours south east of San Francisco. Comfortable and...
Free cancellation Free cancellation
#7Operation City Quest of Oakland, CA
Using your smartphone, you'll be given nearly 150 objects to find during your scavenger hunt. You'll then wander throughout the downtown area searching for t...
Free cancellation Free cancellation
#8Private City by the Bay Aeroplane Tour
You have not properly discovered San Francisco until you see it from the air. On a 40-minute flight with an experienced pilot, see the most memorable sights ...
#9Alcatraz Package: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass, Cruise & City Tour
Pop around the City by the Bay with the flexibility of a hop-on hop-off bus pass. Hit iconic stops like Golden Gate Park, Pier 39, and Union Square, enjoy sp...
recommend84% of travellers recommend
Free cancellation Free cancellation
#10San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Hilly streets lined with colourful Victorians, eclectic districts from the piers of Fisherman's Wharf to the sunny streets of the Mission, and picture-perfec...
recommend86% of travellers recommend
Free cancellation Free cancellation
Top things to do by category
Things To Do In Oakland
Never one to shy away from an eye-opening excursion and inventive ways to get your kicks, you're eager to investigate a new locale like the savvy traveller you are. You're about to set sail in a different direction. It's not hard to fill an itinerary, because Expedia makes it simple to book loads of things to do. Find and book your activities now, and all that's left to do is count the days until your getaway and imagine all the places you'll go. Coming up: Oakland!
- Book your favourite adventures on Expedia at a great rate, and you'll still have enough cash for a fancy hotel or fine meal while you are visiting. The activities in Oakland are not only perfect for you, but they won't break the bank. We have 252 things to do here, and you can make them yours starting at £4.
- Oakland is a favourite among sightseers like you. In fact, plenty of travellers have been visiting to learn about local culture and participate in the best activities, and many of them are already thinking of return. The most loved activities can grab the attention of even well-versed travellers, and it's not hard to see why. Our list includes an impressive range of historically themed tours and opportunities for excitement. With Oakland's most fun-filled attractions like the Oakland Museum of California, there are tons of things to do to choose from when you consider all the things you can do here at Expedia.
Our activities are the ideal way to organise your getaway. It takes an expert itinerary to make the most of a trip to Oakland, particularly when you wish to include lots of exciting activities. And we realise you don't plan to sleep all day遥ou're ready to get out and have an adventure. You can't wait to cover the top activities around, and an exploration of historic city neighbourhoods is a perfect way to spend an afternoon. Book group tours on Expedia, and there will be no need to worry about looking at a map.
Things to Do in Oakland
Oakland, California, is a major west coast port city, with a proud shipbuilding heritage. The great American novelist, Jack London, spent his childhood here and one of the city’s most scenic waterfront districts is named after him. Oakland was also home to an early chapter of the notorious Hells Angels biker gang - have no fear, they’ve calmed down a lot in recent years. The downtown area, where many of the city’s best restaurants, shops and entertainment venues are found, is very walkable, while upscale neighbourhoods are located in the surrounding hills. Lake Merritt, an urban estuary and the country’s oldest wildlife sanctuary, is a scenic spot, unspoilt by the glittering skyscrapers that surround it.
Areas & Neighbourhoods in Oakland
Chinatown - Oakland’s Chinatown is thronged with superb restaurants and shops, the large Chinese community here having first arrived with the California Gold Rush in the mid-19th century. Rich in culture and entertainment, weekends throughout the year see popular festivals and street fairs springing up.
Jack London Square - Running along the East Bay waterfront, the square is a lively spot for weekend and evening entertainment. There’s a great selection of restaurants, and if you fancy dipping into literary history then why not get a drink in the very saloon where London prepared his novels. A recreation of the writer’s Yukon cabin is also on show.
Uptown - Oakland’s hippest district is the place to be for foodies, culture vultures and any anyone who wants to be in the centre of the action. Browse the urban art galleries, take a cocktail tour, or just people watch from a streetside bodega.
Piedmont Avenue - A must for any visitor is a leisurely stroll along Piedmont Avenue, where you’ll discover an eclectic range of independent boutique stores, craft beer joints, and more than a few unique eateries.
Things to See in Oakland
The sunsets over the bay are truly something to behold and you can also enjoy a great view from Skyline Boulevard or from the water with a cruise on the USS Potomac, Roosevelt’s presidential yacht. But if you want to try something special, then why not plump for an evening airplane tour of Oakland - ideal for couples and honeymooners.
Things to Do in Oakland
Take a boat tour under the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge to see the renowned landmarks of both cities from a different perspective. Even on a cloudy day it’s a sublime way to travel. The Oakland Aviation Museum, close to the airport, bears witness to an American legend, Amelia Earhart, whose final, ill-fated expedition departed from Oakland. Get a close look at classic aircraft, try your skills on a simulator - you can even take a flying lesson. If you want to bask in some superb bay views from above, you can spend a day horse riding up in the Oakland Hills, where the labyrinths of the Sibley Volcanic Preserve are ripe for exploration.
