By Darlene Donloe
Give Oakland a
try!
No matter how
many adjectives are used to describe the city, one can only capture the true
spirit of Oakland face to place.
A trek through
Oaktown, one of a few cities in the country that can boast near perfect weather
year round, and you’ll bear witness to all the city has to offer.
Whether it’s the
fantastic restaurants, cultural nuggets, luxury hotels, great weather, great
museums, the water, diverse population, sports, entertainment or just the
overall community atmosphere, the city is sure to win you over.
There are 19
miles of coastline, 300 sunny days per year, a population of 420,000 and more
than 125 languages spoken.
Centrally
located, Oakland, which is fondly being called Brooklyn By the Bay, is 15
minutes east of San Francisco. It’s accessible by the San Francisco-Oakland Bay
Bridge, ferry service, buses, BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) and Amtrak.
It’s
already been recognized for its sparkling personality by a number of
publications including the real estate blog Movoto who picked Oakland as the
top pick for The 10 Most Exciting Cities in America. In 2012, Oakland was named
the #5 place to visit in the world by The New York Times. Last year, the Huffington
Post named Oakland as the “Most Exciting City in the U.S.” The Daily Green
named the city one of the Top 10 Most Walkable Cities in 2013. CIO named Oakland
#11 in the Top 15 Cities for Tech Start Ups. Oakland is the 7th Best
City in the nation for biking. 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 the city as one of America’s 50 Best
Cities and Meetings Focus West included Oakland as one of five emerging
destinations. It’s clear that Oakland is drawing attention.
Now, more than
ever, is the city’s time to shine. It’s going through a rebirth of sorts,
putting on a new coat of paint and shining like new money. Oakland, whose very
own body of water, Lake Merritt, recently completed a $122 million makeover, is
putting its best foot forward.
The people who
live and work in Oakland have a committed connection to the city. When they
talk about the city – you can hear the passion in their voices.
Alison Best
Alison
Best, CEO of the Oakland Convention & Visitors Bureau said the organization
is in the midst of “repositioning Oakland as a destination, not a city.”
Carol H.
Williams of Carol H. Williams Advertising Agency is a 26-year advertising
executive who recently took on the organization,Visit Oakland, as a client.
“Oakland is an
indelible hidden treasure,” said Williams. “Unfortunately, Oakland has allowed
the media and newspapers to define it. Oakland is a gem. There is a lot of
business in Oakland. There is an Oakland beyond your hotel room. It’s saying – ‘Get to know me. Get to
know Oakland.’”
“We’re a city
that hasn’t had a plan to get the good news out,” said Best. “We’ve got to
shout it louder. We’ve got to control the message.”
Visit Oakland's Kim Bardakian
Kim Bardakian,
Visit Oakland’s director of PR & Partnerships, stresses the diversity of
the city.
“I
love this city,” said Bardakian. “I love the diversity of the city. Everywhere
you look you see people of different ethnicities, races, sexual persuasions and
beliefs. It’s a pretty cool city.”
Part of Oakland’s
revitalization will include bringing in top name retailers, something this
cosmopolitan city is surprisingly lacking.
Fred Blackwell, Oakland’s
asst. city administrator, said the city is making a ‘big push’ to get prime
retailers into the area.
Fred Blackwell
“Oakland has had a $1
billion leakage because people go to San Francisco to shop,” said Blackwell who
describes the city as dynamic, diverse, soulful and culturally rich. “We’re in
conversations now with project developers.”
STUFF TO DO
There are so
many things to do and see in Oakland. It’s hard to decide what to do
first. Visit the USS Potomac, take
a gondola ride along Lake Merritt, stroll through Grand Lake Farmers Market,
tour Fruitvale Village, go to Chabot Space & Science Center, the Oakland
Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Oakland Aviation Museum or the Oakland Museum of
California.
The Oakland
Museum of California (OMCA) brings together collections of art, history, and
natural science under one roof to tell the extraordinary stories of California
and its people. With more than 1.9 million objects, OMCA is a leading cultural
institution of the Bay Area and a resource for the research and understanding
of California's dynamic cultural and environmental heritage.
African American Library & Museum
The African American Library & Museum, helmed
by Rick Moss (Chief
Curator and Director of the African American Museum & Library at Oakland (AAMLO) since July 2001), is a museum and
non-circulating library dedicated to preserving the history and experiences of
African Americans in Northern California and the Bay Area. It’s also committed
to the discovery, interpretation and sharing of cultural experiences of African
Americans in California and the West for present and future generations. The more than 160 collections in the
archives contain the diaries of prominent families, pioneers, churches, social
and political organizations. Freedom's Journal, the Liberator, California
Voice, Sun Reporter and the Black Panther newspapers are
available on microfilm. www.oaklandlibrary.org/locations/african-american-museum-library-oakland
For arts and
entertainment there is the Fox Theater, The Crucible, Paramount Theatre, Oracle
Arena & O.co Coliseum. Check
out the Jack London Square Night Market. On the first Friday of each month,
just moments from Oakland's Art Walk, is the newly launched night market in
Jack London Square, featuring food and crafts by local artists and
producers.
Entertainment
doesn’t get any better than Yoshi’s, located in Jack London Square. It’s a
legendary jazz club featuring live music and delicious Japanese cuisine. It has long had a reputation for being
one of the most important music venues in the country. Open seven nights a week,
Yoshi’s has hosted some of the biggest names in jazz, blues, R&B, Latin
jazz, Afro-Cuban and more.
WHERE TO GRUB
Called Caribbean
Soul in Oakland, Sarah Kirnon’s MISS OLLIE’S neighborhood restaurant in Old
Oakland is known for its home cooking. It’s affordable and inspired by Kirnon’s
grandmother's cooking in Barbados. Open for lunch and dinner, just say yum to
the classic Caribbean
cuisine. Very affordable. www.missolliesoakland.com
Sarah Kirnon
“I feel a sense of community here, said Kirnon, who
was born in London and grew up in Barbados. “I moved here to live in a black
neighborhood. I wanted to make food from the Diaspora because those dishes have
connection to the Caribbean and the South.”
Michael LeBlanc is the founder of PICAN RESTAURANT: A
Taste of The South, a classy, upscale restaurant with fantastic fare has a
friendly atmosphere. The food is
truly exceptional. The website describes it as an eatery with ‘Tantalizing aromas, rich tastes,
stimulating colors, layered textures, enveloping sounds. The tradition of the
South. The sophistication of California cuisine. Vibrant cosmopolitan energy.
LeBlanc says Picán captures his vision
of sharing the African-American, Southern cultural experience through food,
beverage, art and music — the tastes, scents, sights, sounds, textures of the
South — a dream this New Orleans native has carried with him for decades.
Michael LeBlanc
“I
have a hard time putting into words what I feel about the restaurant and what I
feel about Oakland,” said LeBlanc, who adds his signature dish is the
restaurant’s fried chicken. “I’ve been all around the world. I’ve been to
Ireland, Scotland, Hong Kong, everywhere, but I wanted to live in Oakland.
There is something about it. This is where I want to be. It’s the weather, the
views and the people. There is no other place as diverse as Oakland. The level
of social consciousness is high.”
Full-service bar
and lounge with Southern Twists and classic standards, alongside the most
comprehensive Bourbon selection in the Bay Area –– single barrel; small batch;
blended.’ The Picán philosophy is simple: A close-knit community of food,
beverage and fun-loving folks. http://www.picanrestaurant.com
Tanya Holland
Tanya Holland’s soul
food breakfast spot, BROWN SUGAR KITCHEN, is a West Oakland eatery that is
popular and usually packed with customers who come from near and far. Most
weekends the line stretches down the block. Breakfast has never tasted better.
The restaurant has beautiful, fresh flavors. The fried chicken is popular and
for good reason. It’s delicious, flavorful and crisp. The BBQ Shrimp and Grits
is unbelievable! The waffles are to die for. Holland was one of the first hosts
on the Food Network’s Melting Pot.
She also owns B-Side BBQ in Oakland. It’s easy to see how and why her
restaurants are luring San Francisco diners to Oakland.
Holland’s
cookbook ‘Brown Sugar Kitchen’ is set for release September 2014. Open for
breakfast and lunch. www.brownsugarkitchen.com
“I opened my businesses because there wasn’t a good
example of food matching the room,” said Holland. “There weren’t any businesses
reflecting us. I took cooking classes in New York. I had a New York aesthetic
of what I wanted to do. I moved to this area and it was desolate and not
welcoming. That’s changed. People come here from all over because they know
they are welcomed here.”
On Friday
nights, for a local food experience, check out OFF THE GRID (food trucks) at
the Oakland Museum. www.museumca.org
WHERE TO STAY
For sure there are any
number of places to stay in Oakland from small bed and breakfasts to five star
hotels. There are more than 4,000
hotel rooms.
A sure bet is the
nautical-themed Waterfront Hotel (JDVHotels.com), located in the heart of Jack
London Square, just steps from a number of restaurants, shopping, 20-minute
ferry service from the hotel to San Francisco’s Ferry Plaza Gondola cruises on
Lake Merritt, Numi Tea Garden and the popular, legendary Yoshi’s Jazz
Club. The hotel, less than 10
miles from Oakland International Airport and three minutes to BART service and
ferry service to San Francisco, looks out onto the bay.
There are 145 individually appointed, over-sized guestrooms
with incredible San Francisco and harbor views. Single occupancy 48, double occupancy 35, suites 25. The
rooms range from 200-450 sq. ft.
Some have courtyard views and some have private balconies.
Many of the rooms have balconies and fireplaces,
complimentary wireless internet access, iPod docking stations, waterside heated
outdoor pool, waterfront boardwalk, business center, fitness center, sauna and
spa services, a complimentary shuttle to downtown Oakland, BART, City Center
and Marina Village (Alameda).
The Italian-inspired Lungomare
is located inside The Waterfront by the water and offers a blend of Tuscan and Ligurian
specialties — a mix of seafood, house-cured meats, rustic pizza and fresh
pasta, with dishes locally sourced whenever possible. http://www.lungomareoakland.com
Meeting at the hotel
is easy. Whether the need is for a fine dining experience for two or holding an
important meeting for 300, The Waterfront can accommodate. There is
state-of-the-art
audiovisual equipment and high speed Internet access. There are 13 banquet rooms (in various dimensions), several with
waterfront views and windows, accommodating 10 – 300 people (there is wireless
internet access in the meeting rooms).
The Spinnaker Lobby holds 75 for a reception.
The Spinnaker Room’s capacity is Theater (250), Classroom
(150), Reception (300) and Banquet (180).
The Spinnaker 1’s capacity is Theater (120), Classroom (60),
U-Shape (38), Conference (50), Reception (150) and Banquet (90).
Spinnaker 11’s capacity is Theater (130), Classroom (60),
U-Shape (38), Conference (50), Reception (150) and Banquet (90).
The Compass Room and the Portside Room’s capacity is Theater
(50), Classroom (30), U-Shape (20), Conference (20), Reception (70) and Banquet
(40).
The Chart Room’s capacity is Theater (60), Classroom (30),
U-Shape (20), Conference (20), Reception (70) and Banquet (45).
Poolside Capacity is Reception (150) and banquet (140).
The Regatta Room’s capacity is Theater (200), Classroom
(120), Conference (40), Reception (200) and Banquest (140).
The Regatta 1 and Regatta 11 capacity is Theater (70),
Classroom (40), U-Shape (30), Conference (30), Reception (100) and Banquet
(70).
The OAKLAND MARRIOTT CITY CENTER, located in downtown
Oakland, is also a first rate hotel consideration. There are 481 rooms and
eight suites. Single occupancy 272; double occupancy 208. Guest rooms are
wireless. The rooms and suites
boast ergonomic work areas and state of the art technology. Views of the San
Francisco Bay and Lake Merritt are available in each room.
TIME TO MEET
Located
in the heart of Oaktown is the Oakland Convention Center with 64,000 sq. ft. of
convention, exhibit, meeting room and social gathering. The Center is a world-class exhibition
hall within walking distance of Jack London Square, Chinatown, Oakland Museum
of California, Preservation Park and Oakland City Center.
The Oakland Marriott City
Center offers views of Jack London Square, Berkeley Marina, Lake Merritt, the
Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, and the San Francisco skyline.
Connected to the Oakland
Convention Center, the Oakland Marriott City Center features additional event
space. There are 36 meeting rooms,
89,000 sq. ft. of total meeting space. The meeting space with highest maximum
capacity is Exhibit Hall & Grand Ballroom with a capacity of 7,900
There is a maximum of 30
breakout meeting room(s)
www.oaklandconventioncenter.com
Scottish Rite Center interior (top) and exterior
With a lake front location, the unique and
behemoth Oakland Scottish Rite Center, a stunning facility, is an excellent
venue for meetings. There is a world-class historic Grand Auditorium with a
capacity of 1,350. There is also a
Ballroom (10,400 sq. ft.) with a capacity for 1,500’ seating capacity is 800.
The 3,500 sq. ft. Banquet Hall’s capacity is 400 with seating capacity for 200.
On the first floor is the grand lobby, which can accommodate 300 and is 3,400
sq. ft. On the third floor is the
Blue Room, which is 2,400 sq. ft. with a capacity for 200 with seating for
120. The fourth floor reception
area is 2,000 sq. ft. with a capacity for 150 and seating for 80. There is also a fourth floor Green Room
and Red Room. The media theater
can hold 28. There is also a
fourth floor balcony. There is also a member’s lounge and a member’s library.
GETTING
THERE
There are three
airports from which to choose: Oakland International Airport, Norman Y Mineta
San Jose International Airport and San Francisco International Airport.
Visit
Oakland, an organization dedicated to marketing the
city of Oakland, offers a wide variety
of complimentary services and materials for travelers, meeting planners, and
businesses. For more information, see visitoakland.org.
