- Traveler
- DiscoveryBay
- Mar 24, 2010
The Black Hole
San Francisco, California
Oakland is a city whose name is recognized as being the city on the other side of the San Francisco Bay. It’s surrounded by San Francisco, Berkley, San Jose and Alameda Island. With both the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridges as backdrops to a very scenic view from just about any location along the shore line. Oakland is home to many sports facilities like the Oakland Coliseum and the Oracle Arena where the Oakland A’s, Warriors Basketball and our football team the Oakland Raiders play. Come see what the “Black Hole” is all about!
The most beautiful parts of Oakland are only minutes away from each other. Jack London Square is on Oakland's waterfront, home to dining, concert events and outdoor activities. Jack London Square hosts a shoreline with a view of the entire bay. It has a boat harbor and bay side restaurants; including Scott’s Sea Food, Kincaid’s, Pearl’s Jam House and includes a variety jazz concerts at Yoshi’s. Also, right down the way from the Square is Everett and Jones Barbeque, but be ready to wait as there is always a line to get into the place. Tells you something about how good their soul food is.
You must take a stroll around Lake Merritt especially on a warm summer night when the lights of the lake shine like a necklace of diamonds gleaning in the moonlight. The walk, run or paddle boat is about 3 miles long and is very picturesque.
The Paramount Theater has been a staple of the Oakland landscape for decades and has recently been through a major restoration. You can see either concerts or plays in the venue but the draw has certainly been the plays featuring Madea, in the Tyler Perry series.
For those who enjoy outer space I can highly recommend the Chabot Space and Science Center, strategically built in the Oakland Hills perched high above the city. Your family vacation is a hit with this one.
Oakland is also known as a major port city hosting the largest import exporting hub on the west coast.
Some history about Oakland is that during the 1940s, thousands of war-industry workers moved to Oakland from the Deep South, and the late twentieth century saw a steady influx of immigrants from around the globe, Oakland is the second most ethnically diverse city in the United States, with many languages spoken.
So when planning that next get away, jump on your American Airlines party plane and head to the west coast and join the party or vacation in sunny Oakland (aka OAK TOWN), California.
Posted in: Beauty & Barber Shops, Culture, Dining, Events, Nightlife, Places of Worship, Points of Interest, Travel Tips
Features: African Cuisine, American Cuisine, Architecture, Arts, Bars/Clubs/Pubs, Beach, Best Flyer, Caribbean Cuisine, Casual, Celebrity Traveler, Chinese Cuisine, Comedy Clubs, Day Trips, Family Friendly, Fine Dining, Food, French Cuisine, Golf, Group Dining, Happy Hour, Historical, Hotels & Lodging, Inexpensive, Italian Cuisine, Japanese Cuisine, Jazz & Blues, Live Music, Local Perspective, Lunch Spot, Mexican Cuisine, Outdoor, Romantic, Shopping, Sightseeing, Singles, Southern Cuisine, Spas, Sports, Take-out, Wine
Thanks, DiscoveryBay. You are entered in our win a trip to Paris contest. http://editor.blackatlas.com/?p=193
by Venita
Oakland sounds like quite the place to visit. Great article!!
by beentoblackbird
Great review. Oakland is usually overshodowed by San Francisco. Discovery Bay writer described Oakland beautifully.
by SkyHawk
Wow! Totally different then the image everyone has of Oakland. The weather is beautiful almost everyday because unlike San Francisco, Oakland doesn't have any fog. Don't forget Oakland's Chinatown which has some of the best Dim Sum resturants anywhere. Word!
by JonathanLien
You make me want to see the entire bay area, SF is so close but Oakland sounds so much better, I will make a trip there soon. I want on that party plane...
by mothership
Oakland has never sounded so good. I might have to check it out.
by bigdaddy
I really like that you are writing about a city other than San Francisco. Your article reinforces the fact that the Bay Area is so diverse and there are so many things to see. You certainly have described Oakland in a way that makes me want to visit!
by Flyer
A great place to stay in while in Oakland is The Claremont Hotel Club & Spas, which has suites with fantastic views of the San Francisco bay. As you stated in your article Discoverybay, there is an abundance of places to visit and things to do here in Oakland. The Chabot and Space Science center is one of my family’s favorite destinations for star gazing on those rare occasions when planets and stars are aligned and visible. Your review clearly highlights the wonderful attractions that Oakland has to offer to all visitors. Well done!
by egaldos
Nice article!
by galynne
Great job thanks for the insightful article on the northern part of our state, I will be flying into the bay area real soon on my way to South American on American Airlines. I will look for your sites from the plane and will visit the bay area when I return.
by airborn
Hey Discovery! Your caption on Oak Town makes me proud to be a Bay Arean. You've sure brought light to an almost forgotten city. Thanks for that!
by Keshi
Great article! Oakland is a great place to visit! I am an avid Athletics fan and those nice summer nights at the coliseum are wonderful. Your article opens my eyes to a nice walk around Lake Merritt. I have never done that, it may be about time!
by BayAreaGurl
This is an excellent traveler's guide to a city with a soul and strong heart. Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith of Allen Temple Baptist Church served as advisor to four U.S. Presidents. Hall of Famer Ricky Henderson is another son of the Oakland tradition of giving birth to exceptional athletes. This is a great article and well written in condensing the rich history of a vibrant city's culture, cuisine and character into a couple of paragraphs.
by PArnoldjr
What a wonderful story, I have plans to explore Northern California thanks for providing me with great information.To the person whom wrote this big thumbs up. See you at Lake Merritt
by coolbreeze
Good to know...I will definitely check this out the next time I visit the Bay.
by MaxnLGsMom
Now that's Oakland! Its great to see Oakland in such a beautiful light. So often it is unsaid that Oakland is such a great city, in the shadow if S.F. Thank you DiscoveryBay!
by rexwun
Hey Discovery i totally agree with your story, Oakland is really a place to see. The very first place i will visit is of course " Yoshi " at Jack London Square if you're a Jazz lover. Oakland Zoo is another place to see with the kids. The best mobile Tacos restaurant is in Fruitvale a few minutes away from the Oakland colisium and Oakland airport. Lake Chabot is a place for Target shooting and picnicking...and much much more.
by JulesnJulia
I never realized such diversity existed in Oakland. It's so much more than just the town I drive through to get to the airport. I'll have to make it my next trip.
by AMPavlik
I live so close and did not know all the interesting sites to visit in Oakland. I want to take a trip and go soon.
by LTrain
Great article DiscoveryBay. My family also enjoys the Oakland Zoo. It is 10 times better then the SF Zoo. The animals are not all sick and jump out of their enclosers to attack you. I can not say enough about Yoshi's. World class entertainers and an atmosphere similar to those in New York City.
by sharonc
the bay area is my home away from home. i've been long overdue for a visit. this article brings back childhood memories of my many trips to jack london square :)
by ladybug
Wonderful description of Northern California. I've never been, now I want to go, Good job.
by GoodieGold
very cool article. Love Oakland!
by jfp
Awesome! Go to the Bay area at least a couple of times per year, but never stop in Oakland....Maybe over and around, but never in. Didn't know there was much of a reason to, but now know better. Thanks to this article, I will be stopping in next time. Aloha!
by Maddy
Great review! I now know more about the city across the bay known as Oakland. I have friends there and family. I really enjoy it when I come to town. Now I can look foward to visting more places. Thank you for the information DiscoveryBay!!
by BigCAP
Being from Seattle makes me want to visit a city I would have never thought about, you story sheds a new light on what I thought was a dark town. I will certainly add Okaland to my travel plans in the near future. DiscoveryBay, you can certainly write a good review. Thanks
by MAXXBRAZIN
I agree Discovery Bay come see what the Black Hole has to offer,It does get a bad rap ... also nice on a warm summer day is walking down Piedmont, Lakeshore or Grand Ave, there are lots of nice little places to eat and enjoy such a great diversity of people out enjoying outside and enjoy. Don't forget to catch a movie at Grand Lake Theater another nice piece of history not to mention Fenton,s Ice Cream...
by gemini
The article paints a true picture of Oakland. It's really a hidden gem often overshadowed by San Francisco. Thanks for bringing this diamond out of the rough.
by NatashaFX
nice article, being from the east coast and after recently visiting LA, I have developed a new desire to see more of the west coast. for me the west coast has so much more of a different vibe from the east coast, i found myself intrigued, and hooked at the same time... i've gotta get back out there. thanks for sharing.. oak town is definitely on my list.
by Travis
You have opened my eyes to travel to Oak Town, seen the black hole on TV and love the Raiders. Thanks for your story discoverybay.
by tomflying
Wish I read this article a few days ago. A few day we went to the near by Chabot Space. Will definitely plan to include it when I am around Oakland. Michael Wurm (from lowellsun.com a retiree of NationalParkService and volunteer coordinator for the Lowell National Historical Park) "... At Jack London Square in the heart of the waterfront and the city, Oakland is attempting to reinvent itself as a tourist and shopper-friendly attraction with a mix of shops, seafood restaurants, marinas, knitted together with and waterfront ambience.”
by IK
I've lived in the Bay area for ten years and this article still contained some helpful tips. Thanks for the insight!
by Anton
Great article. Made me want to hop on a plane and get there ASAP!
by AddyJones
I will be coming to Oakland real soon it's wonderful to learn about the city before coming.
by andy
Thank you for the story and I will be visiting Oakland soon.
by CRISY
Enjoyed the story, nice city
by jojo
Send me to Oakland!!!!!!!!!!
by juranamojones
Great article and do not forget to catch a a live stage play or production at the newly renovated Fox Theater! Wonderful hidden jewel in the bay area! I would love to take the ferry from Jack London Square to Fisherman's Wharf oh what a view at dusk! Can't wait to visit again!
by TechDaddy
I so look forward to seeing Oakland now, but where is DiscoveryBay at?
by rexvillas
Oak Town never sounded so good, I want to hear more, will make a trip soon.
by knightflight
Flying into SF today and will se Oakland tomorrow, thanks for giving me some sites to see DiscoveryBay.
by flywaker
I'm joining the group of people who are glad to see Oakland get some good press, this article is fabulous.
by groupie
This article was really good. I have been in California for almost 2 years and haven't gone to Oakland yet. I'll have to go soon because this article made it sound so alluring. (ok i know this isn't facebook but) Like!
by AlyssaG
DiscoveryBay you make the Black Hole so proud, thanks for sharing.
by vacationman
I have been to Oakland over the years and have hit many hot spots, a few on your list but I missed some too, will need to get back to help Oak Town reclaim is fame.
by lightamber
Nice article. This makes me want to put Oakland on my travel list.
by CityGirl
I never thought Oakland would be a place to bring my family because of the things I have heard about it. After reading your article I think it would be a good place to stop at when we visit California over the summer. Thank you for opening my eyes!
by TravelMom
Oakland ain't got nothing on Dallas but this article did make me want to visit!
by DallasQueen
Thank you for shedding such a good light on a black city that has normally had such a bad reputation.
by PhillyChick
Can you tell me more about the shopping scene? Great piece though.
by TravelCrazy