Find Car Rentals in Oakland
What are the top attractions in Oakland?
Must-see places, ranked by popularity
Quick answer 16 top-rated attractions in Oakland, ranked by traveler popularity. Tickets & tours bookable via Viator with free cancellation on most experiences.
Book Oakland Attractions & Tours on Viator300,000+ experiences worldwide • Free cancellation on most bookings • Instant confirmation
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★ 4.6
PIER
The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
Explore →136,894 reviews
★ 4.7
Alcatraz Island
San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
Explore →44,540 reviews
★ 4.7
Oracle Park
24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
Explore →31,796 reviews
★ 4.4
Union Square
San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
Explore →37,299 reviews
★ 4.7
Mission Dolores Park
Dolores St &, 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA
Explore →16,334 reviews
★ 4.4
The Painted Ladies
San Francisco, CA 94117, USA
Explore →27,806 reviews
★ 4.6
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
Explore →16,442 reviews
★ 4.6
Coit Tower
1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
Explore →15,761 reviews
★ 4.6
Oakland Zoo
9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605, USA
Explore →14,249 reviews
★ 4.6
Fisherman's Wharf
505 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
Explore →12,580 reviews
★ 4.7
Exploratorium
Pier 15 Embarcadero at, Green St, San Francisco, CA ...
Explore →8,488 reviews
★ 4.6
Pier
San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
Explore →9,603 reviews
★ 4.7
Cable Car Museum
1201 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
Explore →6,950 reviews
★ 4.8
Salesforce Park
425 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
Explore →4,826 reviews
★ 4.7
Marina Park
14001 Monarch Bay Dr, San Leandro, CA 94577, USA
Explore →4,893 reviews
★ 4.3
Chinatown San Francisco
855 Stockton St # B, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
Explore →10,837 reviews
What are the best tours and experiences in Oakland?
Hop-on-hop-off, food tours, day trips, skip-the-line tickets
Quick answer Top tour formats in Oakland include hop-on-hop-off bus loops, food and walking tours, day trips, and skip-the-line attraction tickets. All bookable through Viator or GetYourGuide with free cancellation on most options.
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Hop-On Hop-Off
Walking Tours
Food Tours
Day Trips
Boat Cruises
Skip-the-Line
Private Tours
Adventure Tours
Photography Tours
Night Tours
Hop-On Hop-Off BusHop-On Hop-Off Bus in Oakland
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Food and Wine ToursFood and Wine Tours in Oakland
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City Walking ToursCity Walking Tours in Oakland
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Day TripsDay Trips in Oakland
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Boat and CruisesBoat and Cruises in Oakland
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Skip-the-LineSkip-the-Line in Oakland
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Private ToursPrivate Tours in Oakland
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Nightlife ToursNightlife Tours in Oakland
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Photography ToursPhotography Tours in Oakland
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Helicopter ToursHelicopter Tours in Oakland
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Where to eat and go out in Oakland?
Restaurants, bars, and entertainment
Quick answer Browse top-rated restaurants, nightlife venues, and live shows happening now in Oakland. Listings ranked by traveler ratings; tickets and tables bookable directly through partner sites.
Where to Eat
House of Prime Rib$$$
★ 4.7
Fog Harbor Fish House$$$
★ 4.5
Tony's Pizza Napoletana$$
★ 4.5
The Buena Vista$$
★ 4.6
In-N-Out Burger$
★ 4.3
Jack London SquareRestaurant
★ 4.5
Fairmont San FranciscoRestaurant
★ 4.5
La Taqueria$
★ 4.5
Nightlife
Boudin Bakery$$
★ 4.4
Fox TheaterBar / Club
★ 4.8
Drake's Dealership$$
★ 4.6
Hog Island Oyster Co.$$
★ 4.6
Waterbar Restaurant$$$
★ 4.5
Yoshi'sBar / Club
★ 4.6
Original Joe's$$
★ 4.5
Foreign Cinema$$$
★ 4.5
Shows & Events
StylisticsAug 19
StylisticsAug 20
CUFFING SEASON - The Bay's Best R&B Party!Aug 21
USD 0-127
Norman BrownAug 21
DESMADRE A LA VUELTA w/ Esamipau + Yarí + Juanchii & PATIO TAKEOVER by Club NovaAug 22
USD 7-129
CANCELED - OLIVER TREEAug 22
Unity Tour - Ammy Virk LiveAug 22
Queer Sabor: A Queer & Trans Afro Latin Dance Party w/ Cumbia Lessons!Aug 22
USD 1
Where can I shop in Oakland?
Malls, markets, and retail districts
Quick answer Top shopping destinations in Oakland from major malls to local markets. Browse the rail below for hours, locations, and ratings.
★ 4.6
PIER
The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
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★ 4.6
Ferry Building
1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
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★ 4.3
San Francisco Centre
865 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
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★ 4.7
Berkeley Bowl West
920 Heinz Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710, USA
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★ 4.4
Costco Wholesale
$$
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★ 4.4
Costco Wholesale
1900 Davis St #118b, San Leandro, CA 94577, USA
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★ 4.3
Macy's
$$
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★ 4.4
Costco Wholesale
$$
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★ 4.6
Berkeley Bowl Marketplace
$$
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★ 4.5
Trader Joe's
$$
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★ 4.6
Trader Joe's
22224 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94546, USA
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★ 4.3
Bay Street Emeryville
5616 Bay St, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
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★ 4.5
Costco Business Center
22330 Hathaway Ave, Hayward, CA 94541, USA
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★ 4.6
Trader Joe's
$$
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★ 4.6
Trader Joe's
$$
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★ 4.0
Southland Mall
One Southland Mall, Hayward, CA 94545, USA
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What events are happening in Oakland?
Concerts, sports & shows in the next 90 days
Quick answer 46 upcoming events in Oakland across the next 90 days, including concerts, sports, and live shows. Tickets via Ticketmaster.
Stylistics
Aug 19, 2026
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Stylistics
Aug 20, 2026
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ConcertCUFFING SEASON - The Bay's Best R&B Party!
Aug 21, 2026
Get Tickets →
Norman Brown
Aug 21, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertDESMADRE A LA VUELTA w/ Esamipau + Yarí + Juanchii & PATIO TAKEOVER by Club Nova
Aug 22, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertCANCELED - OLIVER TREE
Aug 22, 2026
Get Tickets →
Unity Tour - Ammy Virk Live
Aug 22, 2026
Get Tickets →
EventQueer Sabor: A Queer & Trans Afro Latin Dance Party w/ Cumbia Lessons!
Aug 22, 2026
Get Tickets →
Norman Brown
Aug 22, 2026
Get Tickets →
Raja 50 - Ilaiyaraaja Live In Concert
Aug 23, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertMiko Marks
Aug 27, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertRichard Elliot
Aug 28, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertGEMS x 2000's Party: The Bay's Best Throwback Party! w/ DJ Devere + Nate Rioz + Mia Amore + J. Quest & PATIO TAKEOVER by Berk Visual
Aug 28, 2026
Get Tickets →
J. Cole: The Fall-Off Tour
Aug 29, 2026
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ConcertBrad Mehldau: Ride Into The Sun
Aug 29, 2026
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ConcertSimon Phillips
Aug 29, 2026
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ConcertCrash Out (afrobeats, dancehall, hip-hop & more)
Aug 29, 2026
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Oakland Roots SC vs. Orange County SC
Aug 29, 2026
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ConcertSimon Phillips
Aug 30, 2026
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J. Cole: The Fall-Off Tour
Aug 30, 2026
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ConcertMark Hummel
Aug 31, 2026
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Haley Reinhart
Sep 1, 2026
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ConcertAvery Wilson
Sep 2, 2026
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Sheena Easton
Sep 3, 2026
Get Tickets →
Concert
AUG
19
Stylistics
510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, CA
Concert
AUG
20
Stylistics
510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, CA
Concert
AUG
21
CUFFING SEASON - The Bay's Best R&B Party!
1928 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA
Get Tickets
USD 0-127
Concert
AUG
21
Norman Brown
510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, CA
Concert
AUG
22
DESMADRE A LA VUELTA w/ Esamipau + Yarí + Juanchii & PATIO TAKEOVER by Club Nova
1928 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA
Get Tickets
USD 7-129
Concert
AUG
22
CANCELED - OLIVER TREE
1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA
Concert
AUG
22
Unity Tour - Ammy Virk Live
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA
Event
AUG
22
Queer Sabor: A Queer & Trans Afro Latin Dance Party w/ Cumbia Lessons!
1928 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA
Get Tickets
USD 1
Concert
AUG
22
Norman Brown
510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, CA
Frequently asked questions about Oakland
Common traveler questions answered
What are the top things to do in Oakland?
Oakland offers world-class attractions, guided tours, restaurants, nightlife, shopping districts and live events. Explore the rails above for ranked attractions, food & drink picks, shows and experiences happening in the next 90 days.
How many days do I need in Oakland?
Most travelers find 3-5 days is enough to see the main attractions in Oakland, with extra time for day trips or beach time. Long weekends (3 days) work for highlight tours; a full week lets you slow down and explore neighborhoods, cuisine and nearby destinations.
What's the best way to get around Oakland?
Public transport, walking, taxis and rideshares cover most central areas. Renting a car gives you the most flexibility for day trips, beaches, and destinations outside the city center, with all major suppliers available at Briley Farm Seaplane Base (0FA5).
When is the best time to visit Oakland?
Shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) typically offer the best balance of weather, crowds, and prices. Summer brings peak attractions and events but also the highest hotel rates and longest queues. Check current event listings above to align your visit with festivals or shows that interest you.
Where is the best area to stay in Oakland?
Central neighborhoods near top attractions are convenient for first-time visitors. Compare hotel rates from hundreds of sites using the KAYAK link in the sidebar to find the right balance of price, location, and amenities for your trip.
Do I need a car in Oakland?
It depends on your itinerary. For city-focused trips with central hotels, public transport and rideshares often work fine. If you plan beach days, day trips, or visits to suburbs and surrounding areas, a rental car is usually faster and cheaper than booking individual transfers.