Oakland, California Attractions

Oakland's Paramount Theatre is one of the finest remaining examples of Art Deco design in the United States. Originally designed as a movie house by renowned San Francisco architect Timothy L. Pflueger and completed in late 1931, the Paramount now serves all the arts. The Paramount Theatre is the home of the Oakland East Bay Symphony and, as one of the San Francisco Bay Area's premiere performing arts facilities, hosts a year-round schedule of popular music concerts, variety shows, theatre, and - of course - movies.

Founded in 1922 and established at its current site of Knowland Park in 1936, the Oakland Zoo is a Bay Area icon. The hundreds of animals range from Gila monsters to African elephants, and there's hardly a better way to enjoy a walk in Oakland than touring the zoo's expansive and educational grounds.

When the Fox Theater opened its doors in October 1928, 20,000 patrons thronged Oakland's newest movie palace to experience music on the Mighty Wurlitzer, a live stage show and one of the latest innovations, the "talkies" that were replacing silent films. But one of the biggest draws was the massive domed theater itself, an opulent and exotic mix of terra cotta tiles, dizzyingly detailed paintings and golden deities, reminiscent of a Brahmin Temple. The Fox closed its doors in 1966, but after over 40 silent years, the Fox Theater re-opened its doors in 2009 as a live music venue, arts school, and restaurant.

The USS Potomac has a lofty and well-earned nickname, the Floating White House. It is on this 165-foot sailboat that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was often found during presidential summers. Today, visitors can tour the ship to marvel at its opulence and walk the same corridors and decks as this famous political figure. No less important was FDR's wife, Eleanor, who celebrated her 57th birthday aboard the ship in 1941 Tours Dockside Tour: The Potomac is open for 45-minute docent-led dockside tours mid-January through mid-December. History Tour: May through November, two-hour cruises around San Francisco Bay with docents are available. Emphasis is placed on the impact Franklin Delano Roosevelt's administration had upon the Bay Area and surrounding landmarks.

The Oakland A's take on their contenders in what are almost guaranteed to be exciting match-ups. If you want to fit in while in the stands, be sure to wear green and gold to the game.

The Oakland Raiders boast the best winning percentage in professional football since 1963. Cheer them on from the stands of the recently renovated Oakland Alameda County Coliseum.

After a sensational run to the playoffs and an historic victory in the first round in the 2006/2007 season, the Warriors are one of the hottest tickets in the NBA right now. After moving from Philadelphia to San Francisco, the Warriors settled in the East Bay and won their second championship in the 1970's.

The Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill is an Oakland Restaurant located on beautiful Lake Merritt and offers indoor and outdoor dining over the water. They serve a diverse menu of contemporary Californian food with a focus on seafood that's full of new takes on old favorites.

Flora is housed in an Art Deco architectural gem in the Uptown district of Oakland. They serve a selection of reinvented American classics accompanied by an extensive menu of prohibition-era cocktails.

Dona Tomas is a special restaurant where you almost feel like you're at a lively villa in Mexico enjoying fresh squeezed lime margaritas in the courtyard patio or dining on the authentic regional Mexican cuisine in the main room or the crimson red bar room. With the seasonally changing menu and a love and respect for Mexican food and culture, Dona Tomas strives to present a culinary experience highlighting the best dishes from Mexico.

Bocanova, located in Jack London Square, features Pan-American food in a lively and colorful setting. Available for all your dining needs, they offer intimate tables in the dining room, a number of communal dining tables for larger parties or if you're in the mood to meet new people, and counter seating up by the exhibition kitchen, when you're in the mood for a show.

Wood Tavern is nestled into a charming neighborhood shopping district on bustling College Avenue. Serving a hearty American Brasserie style menu. The contemporary loft- like space houses a dining room filled with "butcher block' tables, a comfy, copper topped bar and a chef's counter where you can dine watching the chef in action.

After working at Chez Panisse for over 20 years, Russell Moore opened this warm and rustic restaurant in the Grand Lake area of Oakland. Inspired by traditional home cooking in France, Italy and Spain most of the dishes served at the restaurant are cooked at the restaurant's prominent fireplace or wood burning oven. A small, decisive, daily changing menu reflects the seasons, the region and the restaurant's commitment to small farms. Camino offers a specialized cocktail menu using the same carefully sourced ingredients as the kitchen.

Miss Pearl's is back-and better than ever. Originally located in the Phoenix Hotel, Miss Pearl's is now nestled in the heart of Historic Jack London Square in Oakland, in a beautiful waterfront restaurant with sweeping views of San Francisco and the Oakland-Alameda Estuary. Executive Chef Mike Davis has created a menu that draws its inspiration from the Southern States and has a modern approach to comfort food. Classics such as Seafood Jambalaya and Gumbo share the menu with Seared Bay Scallops with Crispy Leeks and appetizers like New Orleans BBQ Shrimp and Ahi Tuna Crudo.

Oliveto Cafe & Restaurant offers seasonal cuisine in the Northern Italian tradition, including wild game, fresh pastas, wood fired pizzas and authentic vegetable and poultry dishes.

The Montclair Bistro is tucked into the wooded hillside in the charming area of the Oakland Hills. Built in 1948, the style of the building is French Provincial with much attention paid to detail-from the weather vane atop the peaked roof, the half-timbering, to the weathered bricks along the walls and pathways. Montclair Bistro brings upscale California cuisine and a casually elegant decor and service to the table. The wine list features over 150 varieties and regionals, displayed in a climate controlled wine room.