The Inn at Jack London Square

Oakland Tid Bits

theinn — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:30:25 +0000

Accolades

The New York Times ranked Oakland as the #5 top destination to visit in the world in 2012. ArtPlace America named Oakland as one of the top art destinations in the country for 2013. Forbes Magazine listed Oakland as the #16 coolest city in the country. SmarterTravel.com recognized Oakland as one of “America’s Best Cities on the Rise.” Bloomberg Businessweek listed Oakland as one of “America’s 50 Best Cities.” Meetings Focus West included Oakland as one of five emerging destinations.

Location

Oakland is centrally located and easily accessible by surrounding cities and locations. Located 15 minutes east of San Francisco, Oakland is accessible by the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, ferry service, buses, BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), and Amtrak.

Climate

Oakland has been deemed as the “sunny side of the Bay,” home to some of the best weather in the country. Visitors to the city will enjoy an average of 260 sunny days per year.

Size

Oakland is the eighth largest city in California, with a population of approximately 400,000. The area covers about 56 square miles. Oakland boasts 19 miles of coastline and more than 100,00 acres of parks and trails.

Diversity

Oakland is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the United States, with more than 125 different languages and dialects spoken. This diversity is reflected in the city’s dining, cultural, and art scene.

Attractions

Oakland’s attractions range from historic museums to scientific exhibits. Attractions within the city limits include Chabot Space & Science Center, Children’s Fairyland, Jack London Square, Oakland Aviation Museum, Oakland Museum of California, Oakland Zoo, and the USS Potomac. Lake Merritt, the “Jewel of Oakland,” is also a popular destination within the city.

Sports

Oakland is the only California city with three professional sports franchises: The Oakland Raiders (football), Oakland Athletics (baseball), and the Golden State Warriors (basketball). In 2014, America’s Cup comes to the Bay.

Entertainment

The city is home to three renovated Art Deco theaters. The Fox Theater and Paramount Theater, both in Uptown Oakland, host indie and rock concerts, world-renowned entertainers, comedians, and classic movies. The Grand Lake Theater near Lake Merritt still screens hit movies, even featuring a Mighty Wurlitzer organ before the show. The O.co Coliseum and adjoining Oracle Arena house Oakland’s sports teams, as well as concerts and events. In Jack London Square Yoshi’s Jazz Club features the hottest jazz acts in the country.

Random Facts

Lake Merritt is the only natural fresh and salt-water lake located in the heart of a city. Inspired by Children’s Fairyland, Walt Disney went on to construct Disneyland. “The Wave” originated at the O.co during an Oakland A’s game on October 15, 1981. Rocky Road ice cream was created at Oakland’s Dreyers Ice Cream. Oakland’s Fenton’s Creamery was so beloved by Pixar animators it was animated and included in the final scene of Pixar’s UP.

100 Things to do in Oakland

theinn — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:23:00 +0000

1. Reach for the stars at the Chabot Space and Science Center
2. Hug a really big tree at Redwood Regional Park
3. Catch the America’s Cup spirit by honing your sailing skills at J World Performance Sailing at Jack London Square
4. Sample some great wines and get some exercise by joining a cycling trip with East Bay Winery Bicycle Tours
5. Rediscover the glamour of Hollywood with a classic movie at the Paramount Theatre
6. Bite into a ripe peach at one of Oakland’s Farmers Markets
7. Sip tasty teas at the Tea Garden at Numi Tea
8. Pay a visit to the Remember Them bronze statue in Uptown, honoring our champions of humanity
9. Stretch your neck with the giraffes at the Oakland Zoo
10. Captain a kayak on the Oakland Estuary
11. Toast to Jack London with a beer at Heinold’s First & Last Chance Saloon
12. Enjoy the sounds of music at Woodminster Amphitheatre
13. Cheer for the home team at an Oakland A’s game
14. Relive a moment from the movie UP! with a cone at Fenton’s Creamery
15. Gaze at the amazing architecture at The Cathedral of Christ the Light by Lake Merritt.
16. Groove with the jazz at Yoshi’s Oakland
17. Shop ’til you drop along Piedmont Avenue
18. Board a yacht at Strictly Sail boat show in Jack London Square
19. Become a kid again at Children’s Fairyland
20. Rock your socks off during a concert at the ORACLE Arena
21. Travel presidential style with a cruise on the USS Potomac
22. Retrace Amelia Earhart’s flight route at the Oakland Aviation Museum
23. See the sun set over San Francisco with a cocktail on the top deck of the Alameda/Oakland ferry
24. Catch the latest sounds at the Fox Oakland
25. Dance with the sugarplum fairies at the Nutcracker
26. Serenade your sweetheart in an authentic Italian gondola at Lake Merritt
27. Join the Raider Nation at the O.Co Coliseum
28. Let the kids’ creativity loose at the Museum of Children’s Art
29. Track down your ancestors at the Mormon Temple
30. Lace up your running shoes for the annual Oakland Running Festival in March
31. Ogle the ceiling at the Rotunda Building
32. Stroll through the streets of Old Oakland, enjoying the shops and architecture
33. Trace your family history at the California Genealogical Society
34. Tickle your taste buds at the Eat Real Festival
35. Whoop it up with the Black Cowboys in the annual Black Cowboys Parade
36. Bask in the sun or take a swim at Lake Temescal
37. Relax with a massage at the Claremont Hotel and Spa
38. Mingle at the mansion in Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate
39. Celebrate all things Californian at the Oakland Museum of California
40. Write your own future with custom fortunes at a cookie factory tour in Chinatown
41. Find your form at one of Oakland’s many art galleries and open studios
42. Let your soul soar to the sounds of the Art and Soul Festival
43. Savor some souvlaki at the annual Festival of Greece
44. Honor black history at the African American Museum and Library of Oakland
45. Say hi to Santa at the Oakland Holiday Parade
46. Pull strings or just buy a ticket to see the puppet show at Children’s Fairyland
47. Lace your skates at the Oakland Ice Center
48. Fly through the sky at the Trapeze Arts circus school
49. Stop and smell the roses at the Morcom Amphitheatre of Roses
50. Root for the Golden State Warriors
51. Remember the Victorian age at the Camron-Stanford House on Lake Merritt
52. Master the making of mosaics at the Institute of Mosaic Art
53. Ace some shots at the Davie Tennis Stadium
54. Soothe your soul with a concert by the Oakland East Bay Symphony
55. Hook a fish dish at a waterfront restaurant at Jack London Square
56. Bask in the blues with your barbecue at Everett & Jones
57. Trot along the top of the Bay Area Ridge Trail on horseback
58. Swim laps at Roberts Pool
59. Wonder at the Wurlitzer before a movie at the Grand Lake Theater
60. Identify birds at Lake Merritt’s Rotary Nature Center, the country’s oldest wildlife refuge
61. Catch an art or history exhibit before your flight at Oakland International Airport
62. See what ‘There’ is at City Center. It’s a sculpture!
63. Listen to a Mariachi band at a Fruitvale district restaurant
64. Sing along at a seasonal concert at City Center
65. Visit the past and future on an Oakland walking tour
66. Marvel at the architectural beauty of Oakland’s buildings
67. Celebrate the exotic at Oakland’s Chinatown Streetfest
68. Board the floating lighthouse Lightship Relief at Jack London Square
69. Voice your opinion at a City Council meeting
70. Smell a rose on the Kaiser Center’s roof garden
71. Soar like a bird at the Rotary Nature Center
72. Submit your own Picasso into a public arts program
73. Ring in the New Year at the Lunar New Year Bazaar
74. Sing a sea chanty and chug a beer at Quinn’s Lighthouse and Pub
75. Visit Oakland’s architectural past at Preservation Park
76. Take a tofu tour at Hodo Soy
77. Find the latest looks at the unique boutiques in Rockridge
78. Feel crafty at Rock Paper Scissors arts collective
79. Enjoy the drama at a Theatre First theatrical performance
80. Watch some ruffled feathers at a burlesque night at Cafe Van Kleef
81. Take a cake decorating class at Miette at Jack London Square
82. Taste a Michelin-starred meal at Commis on Piedmont Avenue
83. Channel your inner pyromaniac with a class at The Crucible
84. Review restaurants A-Z at visitoakland.org
85. Keep up with the latest restaurant specials by following Visit Oakland’s Twitter feed
86. Savor the flavors of the Rockridge Market Hall
87. Stroll city galleries at First Friday Art Nights
88. Get lost in the beauty of the Cascades, a waterfall amidst the redwoods in Joaquin Miller Park
89. Learn about the race to space at Chabot Space and Science Center
90. Paddle a canoe or use your feet in a pedal boat at Lake Merritt Boating Center
91. Search the Web with free wifi at an Oakland Public Library
92. Park your bike inside as you sip your latte at The Actual Cafe
93. Honor the history of our local ancestors at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park
94. Participate in a pig roast on the third Sunday of each month at Chop Bar
95. Paint a digital self portrait to add to the collection at the Oakland Museum of California
96. Nibble on a pan dulce and other Mexican specialties at Pena’s Bakery
97. Sip a cocktail in the sun on the deck overlooking Lake Merritt at the Lake Chalet
98. Skip a drive to Napa and go wine tasting in Oakland, including sips at Urban Legend, Dasche Cellars and Irish Monkey Cellars
99. Learn to make cheese at the Institute for Urban Homesteading
100. Feel like a celebrity at Dancing Under the Stars at Jack London Square
101. Take a class or enjoy a concert at Piedmont Piano

May Events in Oakland

theinn — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:42:48 +0000

Wednesday May 23 (9:00 p.m.)
Barcelona
Music Culinary
Barcelona, a Seattle/Bay Area-based indie band, whose debut album Absolutes, featuring Please Don’t Go on the soundtrack of Water for Elephants and Falling Out of Trees as heard on Grey’s Anatomy was re-released in 2009 by Universal Records.
Venue: The New Parish
Website: http://www.thenewparish.com/

Thursday May 24 (8:00 p.m.)
Tenacious D
Music Film/Theater Kids
Rightfully hailed as “the greatest band on Earth,” the super-sized acoustic metal/comedy duo Tenacious D was an unlikely success story.
Venue: The Fox Theater
Website: http://www.thefoxoakland.com/

Friday May 25 – September 07
From the Golden Gate Bridge to Oakland
Art/Exhibits Tour/Cruise Outdoors
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, The Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport OAK present a juried art exhibition titled, From the Golden Gate Bridge to Oakland: Trade and Tourism.
Venue: Oakland Museum of California
Website: http://museumca.org/

Saturday May 26 (3:30 p.m.)
Explore the Maya Skies
Art/Exhibits Film/Theater Kids
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the “eighth wonder of the world,” Mexico’s Chichen Itza. Hear the story of the ancient Maya civilization in our full-dome Planetarium show Tales of the Maya Skies. Narrated by Latin Grammy Award winner and Oscar nominee Lila Downs
Venue: Chabot Space & Science Center
Website: http://www.chabotspace.org/

Monday May 28
Memorial Day Weekend Celebration
Festival
Be festive Saturday, Sunday and Monday with a variety of family activities at the Claremont with Live entertainment, BBQ pool deck, poolside cocktails Spa by the pool, tennis, kids activities and much more.
Venue: The Claremont Hotel Club & Spa
Website: http://claremontresort1-px.rtrk.com/

March 2012 in Oakland

theinn — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:48:27 +0000

3/7 Warriors vs. Grizzlies at the Oracle Arena

3/10 Warriors vs. Mavericks at the Oracle Arena

3/11 Scott’s Bridal Faire at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant in Jack London Square http://www.scottsjls.com/

3/14 Warriors vs. Celtics at the Oracle Arena

3/15 Willie Nelson at the Fox Theater http://www.thefoxoakland.com/

3/16 Warriors vs. Bucks at the Oracle Arena

3/19 Warriors vs. Timberwolves at the Oracle Arena

3/24 Warriors vs. Kings at the Oracle Arena

3/24-25 Oakland Running Festival http://www.oaklandmarathon.com

3/27 Warriors vs. Lakers at the Oracle Arena

3/30 Warriors vs. Nets at the Oracle Arena

3/31 POP 2012 at the Oracle Arena http://www.coliseum.com/events/show.php?id=1320263016

3/31-8/19 The 1968 Project at the Oakland Museum http://www.museumca.org

February 2012 in Oakland

theinn — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:38:20 +0000

2/10 Social Distortion at the Fox Theater http://www.thefoxoakland.com/

2/10 Cedric the Entertainer at the Paramount Theater http://www.paramounttheatre.com

2/10-12 The Manhattan Transfer at Yoshi’s Jazz Club http://www.yoshis.com/oakland/jazzclub/artist/show/2374

2/11 Bill Cosby at the Paramount Theater http://www.paramounttheatre.com

2/12 The Fresh Beat Band at the Fox Theater http://www.thefoxoakland.com/

2/13 Warriors vs. Suns at the Oracle Arena

2/14 Lenny Kravitz and Raphael Saadiq at the Fox Theater http://www.thefoxoakland.com/

2/15 Warriors vs. Trailblazers at the Oracle Arena

2/19 Trey Songz at the Paramount Theater http://www.paramounttheatre.com

2/20 Warriors vs. Clippers at the Oracle Arena

2/24-25 Dee Dee Bridgewater at Yoshi’s Jazz Club http://www.yoshis.com/oakland/jazzclub/artist/show/2477

2/25 Monster Jam, Monster Truck Show at the O.co Coliseum http://www.coliseum.com

2/29-3/1 Disney on Ice Presents Toy Story 3 at the Oracle Arena http://www.coliseum.com/events/show.php?id=1319586136

Oakland Restaurant week 1/20-29

theinn — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:38:13 +0000

Grub Street San Francisco – January 5, 2012
January is traditionally the slowest month of the year for restaurants, thus Oakland Restaurant Week will kick off January 20-29.
Read Article

Oakland in Top Five of 45 Places to visit in 2012

theinn — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:37:24 +0000

The New York Times – January 6, 2012
Oakland is listed in the top five of 45 places to visit in 2012. The exciting music venues, thriving nightlife and wonderful restaurants are among the reasons.
Read Article

New BBQ Restaurant in Oakland

theinn — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:35:50 +0000

Tasting Table – January 9, 2012
West Oakland’s new B-Side BBQ, a new restaurant from Brown Sugar Kitchen’s Tanya Holland, brings barbeque country to Oakland.
Read Article

Oakland is a Top Tourist Destination

theinn — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:35:08 +0000

NBC Bay Area – January 7, 2012
Oakland is a top tourist destination for 2012, with popular entertainment venues such as The Fox Theatre and up-and-coming restaurants on the rise.
Read Article

New York times names Oakland as Great City To See

theinn — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:33:48 +0000

	CBS San Francisco – January 9, 2012 The New York Times names Oakland as a great city to see in 2012. Read Article