Even it's bridge, the Bay Bridge is a "manly" double decker structure of grey metal and concrete. As you cross the bridge from San Fran heading into Oakland you'll notice the shipping dock area with large cranes and other metal structures that may look familiar resembling the walking tanks in Star Wars. Well, your not hallucinating, George Lucas was inspired by these cranes and the Star Wars weapons were modeled after them! Leave your light saber at home, as it is no match for these pieces of blue collar utilitarian function and art. Oakland has a "workers of the world unite" literary history just as famous as it's sister across the bay. San Fran can claim Jack Kerouac among others, Oakland has Brett Harte and Jack London. I've often wondered who would win a drunken brawl in a saloon fight..Kerouac or London? Or would it just be a war of wonderful words and images thta both were highly skilled at and capable of firing off from their typewriters? You can role play in any number of saloons either in Jack London Square or the Brett Harte Boardwalkon 5th between Jefferson and Clay. The Square is a colorful barbary coast waterfront with shopping and dining along with establishments for the manly and womanly art of drinking. Heinholds First and Last Chance Saloon is here, were London spent many and day and night enoying inhebriation along with literary pursuits. The Boardwalk is an area of renovate Victorian architecture along with a a full plate of shopping and dining.
Nine regional parks surround the area along with a tantalizing array of foothills to explore on foot, mountain bike or horseback. Equine pursuits in the Bay Area? Damn straight Amigo! The cruise above the city you can drive or bike Skyline Boulevard for amazing birseye views of Oakland, San Francisco, Marin Peninsula and yep, dear old Alcatraz. By the way the ferry service in Oakland can connect you with all these other Ports of Call for day tripping. You usually don't think of the East Bay as a wine destination but it is. It's not all about blue collar beer in Oakland. Grab a loaf of french bread, a chunk o' cheese, and rent a bike for a pedal powered two wheeled tour of area wineries. You travel through the city and end up along the beach and back. More burgandy bang for your zinfandel buck!
The green gem in all of this is Lake Merritt (LOCATION) Lakeside Park for example has boat rentals, sailing and if you like the wind beneath your wings take a waterborne flight windsurfing. There are lake cruise tours, picnic areas and one hour gondola sojournes on the lake. The Wildlife Refuge is a fully loaded magazine of flora and fauna with native plant gardens at the Garden Center along with gardens with an air of Asia to them including Japanese and Polynesian Garden. For the more earthy types there is a fragrance and an herbal garden.
You don't want to miss Childrens Fairy Land. No, it's not what you think, but it is built with imagination for children of all ages, even you and I. Attractions depict characters and stories from fairy tales and nursery rhymes, along with kiddie rides and puppet shoes. Maybe Punch and Judy will duke it out in a good old fashioned puppet show barroom brawl.
What would a Northern California city be without a Chinatown? Simple. Dubuque, Iowa! So when in doubt, don't dispute and don't be Dubuque! Oaklands Chinatown has eateries with the real deal in Chinese food, not the Americanized version, and if fortune cookies are your forte, you can tour a Fortune Cookie Factory. Nightlife is electric and eclectic in Oakland and if you can't find a vibrant venue with live music or comedy to suit your taste then..well, hell..you must be from Dubuque! Setting sail for a nautical three course meal with beer and wine, and a sea song or two will put you in a dashing pirate mood as you drop anchor at Quinn's Lighthouse Restaurant in Oakland. Built in 1890, it no longer guides sailors into safe harbor but does feature two floors of fine wine and dine offering over 60 beers, domestic and imports that you can enjoy indoors or outside on the 80 seat outdoor deck overlooking the marina.
Need your meds? Oakland has many cannibusclubs, including Harborview (More Information). For more informtion on other clubs and dispensaries click and cruise at www.cannabisclubs.com and search Oakland. Hydroponics with a capital H has also made Oakland one of it's satellite homes as there is a We Grow store in town. We Grow is a monster sized emporium of grow gear. It's no wonder it's referred to as the Walmart of Weed!
Oakland, luckily, it ain't Dubuque (and yes, I have been there too, so I speak from experience!) You can enjoy the great outdoors, visualy pleasing vista's of the bay area, and some pretty damned exciting shopping and nightlife. San Francisco may be the elegant and sophisticated grand dame of the Bay Area, but Oakland is all badass in a good way. Let's face it, Oakland has balls!