 Nestled
between the San Francisco Bay and the coastal hills,
Oakland's got it all - balmy temperatures hovering in
the 60s, world-class arts, entertainment, restaurants,
hotels, and an abundance of recreation.
Oakland is a modern-day boomtown with a rich cultural
heritage. Once home to Ohlone Indians, Mexican rancheros
and gold seekers, it is now a haven for high-tech companies
and dot-coms. The city of Oakland is a captivating mix
of modern and old, from the historic, newly-refurbished
City Hall to the downtown Oakland Convention Center.
Check out Chabot Space and Science Center's planetarium
and gigantic public telescopes. Explore waterfront attractions
and entertainment at Jack London Square or cruise Lake
Merritt in a Venetian gondola.
A stroll through Old Oakland brings the city's cultural
history to life, from the Colonial Dunsmuir mansion
to the art deco Paramount Theatre. Chinatown reveals
the culture of Asia, lined with restaurants, specialty
shops and markets. Ranked second to Manhattan for the
number of artists per capita, Oakland
County boasts the esteemed Oakland Museum, the Oakland
Ballet and the Oakland Symphony.
|
There
are many great attractions for children, such as Children's
Fairyland, the Oakland Ice Center, and the famous Oakland
Zoo. Other major attractions include the Oakland Coliseum,
Oakland A's and the Oakland Raiders. The USS Potomac
and USS Hornet Museum are two major National Historic
Landmarks. Besides a thriving downtown that boasts many
major high-tech companies, two other main business addresses
in the area are Marina Village and Harbor Bay Business
Parks.