Oakland, California


Oakland is located in the west-central region of the state of California. It is the 8th most populated city in the state and keeps growing every year. It is known for arts and music scene. The city has a deep history with funk and soul music, hip-hop, and gospel.

Oakland has a long tradition of social and political activism. It is the birthplace of the Black Panther Party. Lake Merritt in the city, was the United States' first official wildlife refuge. It is a popular lake for birdwatching



To See And To Do In Oakland


  • The Oakland Temple and Visitors Center
  • The Dunsmuir House and Gardens
  • The Oakland Museum of California
  • The MAID (Museum of Art and Digital)
  • The Grand Gallery
  • The Studios 11 art gallery
  • The Paramount Theatre
  • The Fox Theater
  • The Redwood Regional Park
  • The Bonsai Garden at lake Merritt
  • The Lakeside Park and Garden Center
  • The Belotti Ristorante e Bottega
  • The Fat Lady Bar and Restaurant
  • The Children's Fairyland
  • The African American Museum and Library


History Of Oakland - Timeline


The earliest known people in the area were the Huchiun tribe (also known as the Costanoan Indians or the Ohlone people). The lived in the area 1000s of years before the first European came to the area.

In 1772, a Spanish expedition, led by Captain Pedro Fages and Father Juan Crespi, explored the area. In 1776, the Peralta family settled in the area. In 1821, Antonio Marie Peralta built a ranch on the site. In 1836, José Vicente built a ranch in northern Oakland. In 1842, José Vicente received the land that included the entire original town of Oakland.

In 1848, Oakland, became a part of the United States. In 1849, the village was established named Contra Costa. The settlemend started to establish a post office in the beginning of the Gold Rush. The settlers purchased 160 acres of land from Spanish ranchers. In 1850, around 200 people lived in the village, and Horace Carpentier, Edson Adams, and Andrew Moon, planned the incorporation of Oakland as a city.

In 1852, the town of Oakland was incorporated. In 1853, the first police department was established. Also in 1853, John Coffee Hays establish a residence in the town. He was a legendary Texas Ranger, and he popularizing the use of Colt revolvers. In 1855, the Lyceum school was founded. In 1857, the Mme. de St. Germain's Oenophile Store was built by Theophilide St. Germain and her husband. It was a wine shop. They also worked with real estate, and they had a large wine collection.

In 1864, the J. Mora Moss House was buit. Joseph Moravia Moss was a very wealthy businessman. Also, the Vander Naillen School of Practical Engineering was established. In 1866, a Police Court was established. In 1868, the Oakland Evening Transcript newspaper started, and the Pardee house was built. Enoch Homer Pardee was a doctor and served as the 18th Mayor of Oakland. In 1869, the Fire Department was formed, and the railroad was built.

In 1871, the Camron-Stanford House was built, and a school for women,Mills Seminary, started. In 1874, the newspaper Oakland Tribune was published. In 1875, the first National Bank of Oakland was incorporated. In 1880, the Heinold's First and Last Chance saloon was built. In 1881, a post office was established. In 1884, Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon opened.

In 1885, the city had the first electric streetlights installed. In 1886, the Joaquin Miller House was built. Joaquin Miller was a poet who wrote about the far western United States. In 1891, the city had its first electric streetcars. In 1899, the Oakland Conservatory of Music was founded, and the Dunsmuir House and Gardens was built.

In 1900, the population was around 67,000. In 1907, the Camron-Stanford House became the city's first museum. In 1908, the First National Bank Building was completed. In 1909, the Moore and Scott Iron Works started its business. In 1910, the Western Pacific Depot train station opened. In 1914, the Oakland Technical High School was established, and the City Hall building was completed. In 1915, the Claremont Hotel and Spa opened. In 1922, the California School of Arts and Crafts moved Oakland.

In 1923, the Tribune Tower was completed. In 1924, the Granada Theater opened. In 1926, the Grand Lake Theater opened. In 1927, the Port of Oakland opened, and the Oakland Airport started. In 1928, the Fox Oakland Theatre opened. In 1931, the Paramount Theatre was built. In 1933, Slim Jenkins Club opened. In 1936, the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge opened.

In 1950, 384,575 people lived in the city. In 1951, the actor Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars) was born. In 1957, the musician Sheila E. was born in the city. In 1962, the rapper MC Hammer was born in the city. In 1964, Kamala Harris was born in Oakland, and the Oakland California Temple opened. In 1966, the Oakland Coliseum sports arena opened, and the Black Panther Party was founded by the college students Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton.

In 1968, the R&B and funk band, Tower of Power, was formed. In 1988, the Oakland East Bay Symphony was established. In 1991, a firestorm occurred on the hillsides of northern Oakland. Twenty-five people died and 150 were injured. In 2000, the population was 399,484. In 2009, Oscar Grant was killed, shot in the back while laying face down, by a police officer. In 2016, thirty-six people died, in the Ghost Ship warehouse fire, from smoke inhalation. It was a former warehouse that now was an artist collective named the Ghost Ship. A concert was held when the fire started. In 2025, 447,691 people lived in the city.