Oakland - is a major USA city on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay in Northern California in the USA. To the north lies Berkeley, home to the campus of the renowned University of California. To west stands San Francisco, across the Bay Bridge. Oakland borders five of the East Bay Regional Parks. Oakland is home of the Port of Oakland, one of three major shipping ports on the American West coast. Oakland has experienced an increase of population and of real-estate prices in the past decade, attributable to economic recovery, along with Oakland's weather, location, hillside neighborhoods with views of San Francisco and the Bay, attempts to reduce crime, high rents and home prices in nearby San Francisco, and a substantial offering of shopping districts and restaurants representing cuisines both homegrown and worldwide. The city's population - 399,484, making it the third largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area after San Jose and San Francisco.
Climate - The Oakland weather is cool to mild throughout the year, with foggy summers and wet winters. Summers in Oakland are cooler than other parts of inland California and winters are mild during the day, with temperatures seldom dropping below 60 F.
Oakland is one of the most famous sister-cities in California. However close to San Francisco it may be in miles, Oakland is far from the eccentricity of its neighboring bay city. Oakland is one of the busiest industrial ports on the West Coast and while its working-class personality remains the heartbeat of the city, “Oak-town” welcomes a slew of visitors every year who enjoy taking part in the simpler Californian lifestyle.
Outdoorsy travelers will enjoy a sailboat ride along Lake Merritt or a stroll through one of the many outdoor festivals that Oakland puts on every summer. Don’t dismiss Oakland as second-rate city just because it’s neighboring San Francisco is a mecca for entertainment. Grab a cheap flight to Oakland and take in some of the best shows, theater, and museums California has to offer.
The BART system connects San Francisco and Oakland through one of the longest underwater transit tunnels in the world. Fares range from $2 to $4, depending on your station of origin; children under 5 ride free. BART trains operate seven days a week but times vary from weekdays to weekends. Fares and schedules are posted throughout the city.
Take a trip to the Oakland Museum of California and get a history lesson like you've never experienced. Learn about the state and its people, history, culture, geology, art, environment, and ecology. The museum features exhibitions of works by California artists, collections of historic artifacts and historic re-creations of California's major movements including the 2006 earthquake and a tribute to baseball, which showcases artifacts and photos from America's favorite pastime.
Oakland Lakeside Park welcomes the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival every weekend in August. Performances are absolutely free and each year is a different play.