Oakland Attractions - Search for Cheap Airfare to Oakland

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Oakland has its share of major tourist attractions from its famous zoo and Jack London Square to its many theaters and restaurants. The village-like neighborhoods, akin to those of New York, are the true hidden gems of this Bay Area city. When you combine Oakland's attractions with those of San Jose and San Francisco, the Bay Area is one of the most exciting tourist destinations in the country. Though it is probably the least respected of the Bay Area's Big Three, Oakland is a viable centerpiece of a vacation to this region of California.

Here are the most prominent attractions in Oakland.

Budget

At $10, Oakland Zoo (9777 Golf Links Road) is an excellent alternative to the San Francisco Zoo. This smaller (but still quite respectable) zoo has 450 local and exotic species and is quite user friendly. It is open between 10a.m. and 4p.m. daily.

Joaquin Miller Park (Joaquin Miller Road) is an old public recreation area in Oakland's hills. Hiking and biking are the main attractions here. Some of the oldest Redwood trees in the urban Bay Area are located in the park. It is a convenient alternative to the more expansive, but more remote Muir Woods.

Value

Grand Lake Theater (3200 Grand Ave) and Paramount Theater (2025 Broadway) are two classic 1920's movie theaters that have been fully restored. The indie and classic movies that they screen are unique, but most people buy a ticket so that they can see the ornate artwork, classic design and numerous sculptures inside the theater.

Chabot Space and Science Center (10000 Skyline Boulevard) is a museum of science, space travel and technology. There are several impressive wings with interactive exhibits. The most famous is the Challenger Learning Center, which features simulated spacecraft missions.

Splurge

Sports are a big part of Oakland's identity. With San Francisco also boasting pro football and baseball squads, the Oakland Raiders (NFL) and Oakland A's (MLB) are vehemently supported by the city's sports fans. Tickets for Raiders games are hard to come by, but the rabid fans make attending one quite an experience. The Golden State Warriors play in the NBA at Oracle Arena, adjacent to A's stadium.

The USS Potomac (Water Street) was the ship that FRD used during World War II (his secret meetings with Winston Churchill took place onboard). It is affectionately referred to as the Floating White House. A $5 million renovation project was recently completed. In addition to daily dockside tours, there are historic cruises on the Potomac on Saturdays during the summer. Tickets for these trips are $45.