Oakland

No city in the Bay Area has grown more quickly in so many ways than Oakland. With its stunning location on the shores of Lake Merritt, proximity to Silicon Valley and San Francisco and an entrepreneurial, ethnically diverse population, Oakland is a destination for food, art, music, tech and more. 

Oakland is hip. It’s become “Brooklyn by the Bay”, boasting funky vibes and elegant digs. From lofts to bungalows to historic Victorians, Oakland offers a wide range of housing for families and professionals who proudly call this city home.

Of course, fine restaurants, music venues, and art museums, as well as sports teams and open parklands, add to the allure of this city which runs from the shore to the top of the hills. You’ll find hipster food trucks and Michelin-star restaurants.

Entertainment

Take a Friday night stroll to visit the Oakland Art Murmur, a group of galleries that host openings every first Friday of the month.  Or head down to Jack London Square to walk along the Marina and then take in a show at the jazz club.

You’ll see different stars at the Chabot Observatory, while local parks like Redwood Regional Park and Joaquin Miller Park give the earthly-bound plenty of room to hike, ride horses, and cycle.

For the kids, there’s the old-fashioned Children’s Fairyland, in operation since 1950, and don’t forget Fenton’s for ice cream on Piedmont Avenue, itself a destination for great dining and shopping.