Situated on the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay, Oakland, California has a lot to offer to people moving here, including the best climate in the U.S. As the eighth largest city in the U.S. with a population over 400,000 residents and counting -- making moving to Oakland a very popular destination.

Economy:
Oakland is a major railroad center as well as a busy shipping port (the fourth largest container port in the U.S.). The most commonly produced products include: glass, chemicals, food, electronics, metal, iron, and various technology products.

Tourism:
Oakland can be reached easily and affordably through the somewhat low-cost Oakland International Airport. Popular attractions include the Oakland Museum of California, the Art Deco Paramount Theater, Chinatown, Jack London Square, and Children's Fairyland. Additional destinations include the Chabot Space and Science Center and the Morcom Rose Garden. Major sports teams include the Oakland Athletics (baseball), and the Oakland Raiders (football), among several other teams in the area.

History:
Oakland was incorporated in 1852 and soon after railroads reached the city. By the 1860's and 1870's the area was a major railroad hub. In the coming years, some of the city was broken off into different towns. In 1906, many people moved to Oakland because of earthquakes and fires in nearby San Francisco. By 1920, Oakland became a major center of metal, shipbuilding, and automotive industries. Oakland was in the general naval shipbuilding industry during World War II which attracted many new workers to the city. After the war, the major industries of the city dried up and many of the more wealthy citizens left the city. This left Oakland in a poor economic state with a lower class of people living there. Many activists groups formed in later years, most notably The Black Panthers. This contributed to the increase in crime in the city and overall declining living conditions. In 1989, the Loma Prieta Earthquake hit Oakland and the Oakland Hills Firestorm hit in 1991; both caused considerable damage.

• The USS Potomac (FDR's Yacht used while as president) is in Oakland's harbor.
• In recent years, real estate prices have gone up considerably because of terrific views, efforts to lower crime, and many quality stores and restaurants.
• Oakland is sometimes defined by two areas: "the flats" and "the hills". The flatter terrain makes up two-thirds of the city and the lower-income citizens, while the hills contain more affluent people.

• Laney College
• Merritt College
• California College of Arts and Crafts
• Mills College
• Samuel Merritt College
• Holy Names College
• Sierra Academy of Aeronautics Technical Institute

• Oakland Offical Website