Downtown Oakland is loosely separated into what is referred to as Uptown and Old Oakland. Uptown has a thriving art community that showcases its enthusiasm every first Friday of the month during Oakland Art Murmur, an open gallery art walk, and accompanying street party, First Fridays, where you can peruse local vendors, watch live music, and admire tricked-out rides. The Oakland Museum of California also offers exhibits featuring local culture, with admission by donation every second Sunday of the month.
Uptown comes alive when the sun goes down, so go hungry! Many restaurants here have unique ambience and great reviews. After dinner enjoy the striking Art Deco architecture while catching a live show at the Paramount Theatre or refurbished Fox Theater, or go ice skating at the Oakland Ice Center.
Old Oakland is a historic district near Jack London Square filled with Victorian buildings from the late 1800s. An exciting blend of old and new, this area is also home to the famous Ratto’s Deli.
Right in the middle of Lakeside, Downtown, and Jack London is Oakland’s bustling Chinatown. This is not some tatty collection of cheap souvenir shops; it’s a living, breathing, vital community filled with bakeries, restaurants, and sidewalks jammed with shoppers and visitors. Annual festivals include the Lunar New Year Bazaar and the Oakland Chinatown StreetFest.
While there are still a few single family homes in Downtown Oakland — mostly relics of the Victorian era — most of the available housing within Downtown, Uptown, Old Oakland and Chinatown’s real estate is made up of relatively new condos. With easy access to two BART stations, Interstates 80 and 980, as well as major bus lines, this area of Oakland is a great choice for those who want to live in a modern condominium in the midst of a commercial area reflecting diverse cultures.
In all, Downtown Oakland is a soulful, energetic place, sprouting chic bistros, street festivals, lively entertainment, bustling farmers’ markets, and alternative charter schools.
