Downtown Oakland Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Visit Downtown Oakland
Popular places to visit
Fox Theater
You can enjoy a show at Fox Theater during your stay in Oakland. Experience the entertainment choices or attend a sporting event in this vibrant area.
Paramount Theatre
Spend an evening being swept up in a ballet performance, laughing at stand-up comedians or dancing in your seat to a band at this historic art deco theatre.
Oakland City Center
You can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Oakland City Center during your visit to Oakland. Experience the acclaimed art galleries or attend a sporting event in this vibrant area.
Oakland Museum of California
Delve into Californian history at this interdisciplinary museum, which features enthralling exhibits of landscape paintings, cultural artifacts and natural science under one roof.
Jack London's Cabin
You can find out about the history of Oakland with a trip to Jack London's Cabin. Experience the acclaimed art galleries and entertainment choices in this vibrant area.
Old Oakland
During your trip to Oakland, you can enjoy retail therapy at Old Oakland. While in this walkable area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.
Activities
Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Sail Around Alcatraz! (1-hour)
San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)
Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise
California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)
Our pick of the best Downtown Oakland Hotel Deals
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
"10/10 overall"
Reviewed on 1 June 2026
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
"Great breakfast buffet!"
Reviewed on 2 June 2026
Handlery Union Square Hotel
"I have stayed at the Handlery before and like the staff and the accommodations. This stay I booked a Premier room and it was more spacious and included bathrobes which was nice. I will definitely book the Premier room when I stay again. Nice heated pool. Location downtown is convenient to all transport. ..."
Reviewed on 2 June 2026
Hilton San Francisco Union Square
"Great walkable location"
Reviewed on 2 June 2026
Parc 55 San Francisco - A Hilton Hotel
"Very convenient location and close to transit. Super friendly staff and a clean, comfortable room."
Reviewed on 2 June 2026
Hilton San Francisco Financial District
"Clean and good customer service"
Reviewed on 2 June 2026
Check Downtown Oakland hotel availability
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Oakland
West Oakland
While you're in West Oakland, take in top sights like DeFremery Park and jump on the metro at West Oakland Station to see more of the city.
San Antonio
If you're spending some time in San Antonio, Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park and Garden Center are top sights worth seeing.
Piedmont Avenue
Though Piedmont Avenue may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Grand Lake Theater and Children's Fairyland.
Temescal
If you're spending some time in Temescal, Temescal Alley and Oakland Floats are top sights worth seeing.
West Alameda
If you're spending some time in West Alameda, Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach and Pacific Pinball Museum are top sights worth seeing.
Piedmont
You'll enjoy the lake views and architecture in Piedmont. You might want to make time for a stop at Piedmont Sports Field or Davie Tennis Stadium.
