- Downtown Oakland is the site of the yearly Black Cowboy Parade, celebrating black cowboys who helped settle the American West. This is the only parade of its kind in the nation, and it takes place in October.
- Oakland’s Chinatown can be found in Downtown Oakland.
- First Friday hosted by Oakland’s Art Murmur is a monthly art walk filled with galleries, food, and fun. This event takes place the first Friday evening of every month in Downtown Oakland.
- Downtown Oakland is the central business as well as entertainment district in the city, which means plenty of shopping and live music opportunities!
The ongoing concentration of business and commerce in Downtown Oakland continues the steady gentrification of the area. This is also impacted by city money increasing large‐scale development.
Downtown Oakland does experience crime, but it is safer than areas like East and West Oakland. Walking around at night is possible but, like any city, is not recommended if alone. Practice street smarts and be aware of your surroundings.
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Most downtown residents live in apartments and condominiums.
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There are fewer families living downtown than most Oakland neighborhoods.
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The community in downtown Oakland exhibits a large degree of varying races and cultures.
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Housing is a mixed bag. Though more affordable than the Rockridge and Piedmont areas, rent and sale prices downtown are definitely higher than East or West Oakland.
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Smiling South USA – Asian‐style furniture.
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Markus Supply – Hardware.
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Make Westing – Beer and cocktail bar with bocce ball.
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The Fox Theater – Music venue.
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Analog – American food with great vegan options.
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Beer Revolution – Over fifty beers on tap and plenty more bottles.
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Cafe Talavera – Latin American café with food.
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Oaklandish – Popular Oakland clothing store.
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Archer Bicycle – Bike store and repair shop with an art gallery.
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Cafe Van Kleef – The best greyhound you have ever had. Also one of the coolest bars in Oakland. Enough said.
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12th and 19th Street BART stations.
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Close by: Lake Merritt BART station.
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AC Transit lines along major streets like Broadway and Telegraph.
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Bike‐friendly due to large main streets.
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Lincoln Elementary School – K‐5th grade
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Oakland School for the Arts – Grades 6‐12
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Laney College – Community college, part of the Peralta system.
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Jefferson Square Park – Includes courts and dog park section.
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Goas and Electric – PG&E
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Water – EBMUD
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Internet – AT&T, Comcast Xfinity, LMI.net
West Oakland
Black panthers were based in West Oakland. Was the terminus of the first Transcontinental railroad. 7th Street was once a hub for jazz and the blues.
Oakland Hills/Mills College
The Oakland Hills unofficially refers to the area—particularly the residential neighborhoods—that lines the eastern edge of Oakland on the western side of the Berkeley Hills.
East Oakland
What’s Great East Oakland is rich with history. It is predominantly known as the area where West Coast rap was popularized. Tupac, Mac Dre, and Too Short are just a few famous names that got their start here.