Lake Merritt — The Jewel of Oakland. The first official wildlife refuge in the United States (designated 1870), Lake Merritt is a 155-acre tidal lagoon ringed by a 3.4-mile pedestrian path. Locals jog, kayak, and picnic along its grassy shores while egrets roost on the artificial islands at the center.
Oakland Museum of California (OMCA). Three interconnected galleries — Art, History, and Natural Sciences — tell the full story of California under one roof. Friday evenings extend until 9 p.m. and the first Sunday of every month is free admission.
Jack London Square. Oakland's storied working waterfront blends literary history — Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon, built in 1880, is where a teenaged Jack London used to drink — with a modern marina, ferry terminal, kayak rentals, and a string of restaurants.
Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon. Built in 1883 from the timbers of a whaling ship, this National Literary Landmark is Oakland's oldest bar and the spot that shaped Jack London's writing life. The floors still tilt from the 1906 earthquake, and the original bar fixtures remain untouched.
Oakland Zoo and California Trail. Home to more than 850 native and exotic animals across 100 acres, the Oakland Zoo's headline feature is an all-electric gondola Skyride that lifts guests over the rolling hills of Knowland Park to the California Trail, with panoramic views of six Bay Area counties.
Chabot Space and Science Center. Perched in the Oakland Hills among redwood trees, Chabot houses a full planetarium, NASA exhibits, and three large telescopes. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the public is invited for free telescope viewing from the outdoor observation deck from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Uptown Arts and Entertainment District. The Fox Theater (1928, Art Deco, 2,800-cap) and the Paramount Theatre anchor a walkable district dense with galleries, independent bars, and some of Oakland's most celebrated restaurants. On weekend nights it is the live-music capital of the East Bay.
Temescal Alley and Neighborhood. A compact, BART-adjacent district where a cluster of micro-boutiques in a converted carriage alley sits steps from globally-inspired restaurants, craft breweries, and neighborhood bars. Burdell, named Food & Wine's Best Restaurant in America for 2025, anchors the scene.
Top-rated tours & activities in Oakland
Yosemite National Park & Sequoias Private Tour from San Francisco — 5.0★ (70 reviews)
6 Hour Private Customized Wine Tour up to 7 Guests Napa & Sonoma — 4.9★ (89 reviews)
Black Food Tour - Downtown Oakland — 4.9★ (27 reviews)
Wine Tour Pros - Sprinter Van Wine Tour: Up To 14 Guests — 5.0★ (42 reviews)
Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket — 4.4★ (15 reviews)
8 Hour Private Customized Wine Tour up to 7 Guests Napa & Sonoma — 5.0★ (40 reviews)
Yosemite National Park & Sequoias Private Tour from San Francisco — 5.0★ (70 reviews)
6 Hour Private Customized Wine Tour up to 7 Guests Napa & Sonoma — 4.9★ (89 reviews)
Black Food Tour - Downtown Oakland — 4.9★ (27 reviews)
Wine Tour Pros - Sprinter Van Wine Tour: Up To 14 Guests — 5.0★ (42 reviews)
Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket — 4.4★ (15 reviews)
8 Hour Private Customized Wine Tour up to 7 Guests Napa & Sonoma — 5.0★ (40 reviews)
Private Napa or Sonoma Wine Tour—Your Day, Fully Planned — 5.0★ (13 reviews)
Redwood Forest, Santa Cruz Harbor 1-Day Trip from San Francisco — 3.9★ (14 reviews)