The city's size is 56.1 square miles and has a population of 399,484 people (2000). Oakland is the third largest city in the Bay Area after San Jose and San Francisco. It is the 41st largest city in the nation. The metro area is much larger with 7,039,362 people if you include all the Bay Area cities. This includes San Francisco, San Jose, Richmond, Berkeley and Marin County. Oakland is serviced by 3 major airports, Mineta San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland. The city is also serviced by BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit).

The area was settled in 1820 when a Spanish grant was issued to Don Luis Maria Peralta. In 1852, Moses Chase leased some of this land from Peralta's sons and named the city Oakland after an Oak grove. By 1869, the city became a terminus for the first transcontinental railroad. It then developed into a larger railroad settlement. During World War II, the city grew as a shipping center and has seen accelerated growth since then.

The city's economy is centered around its natural harbor. This allows it to be a deepwater shipping point. It is a significant containerized-cargo-handling facility. A U.S. Army base and Naval Supply Center are here. The long Bay bridge connects Oakland to San Francisco.

Oakland is home to numerous colleges including Mills College and the nearby U. of CA in Berkeley. Museums include the Oakland Museum. Gardens include the Lakeside Park at Lake Merritt, a salt lake found in the middle of Oakland. The Chabot Observatory is in eastern Oakland.

Buffered by average temperate weather lows and highs in January of 41/56F and in July of 56/71F. The city receives 24"/year of rain.

All pictures on this page are from Oakland or nearby Berkeley, using various film and digital cameras.

Visit numerous other Parks and Cities by World from the Web.

City Hall from 13th Street and Broadway.
Enlarge this Picture.

City Hall from Clay and Frank H. Ogawa Plaza.
Enlarge this Picture.

Building as seen from 16th Street and Telegraph.
Enlarge this Picture.

The Tribune Building.
Enlarge this Picture.

The Oakland Hotel on 13th St between Alice and Harrison.
Enlarge this Picture.

From an old beautiful house, the backyard and Lake Merritt.
Enlarge this Picture.

Lake Merritt and the gazebo at Lakeside Park.
Enlarge this Picture.

Lake Merritt and the Oakland skyline.
Enlarge this Picture.

The Bonsai Garden at Lakeside Park/Lake Merritt.
Enlarge this Picture.

Lakeside Park at Lake Merritt, the Rose Garden.
Enlarge this Picture.

The Hawaiian Chieftan from Jack London Square.
Enlarge this Picture.

Major League baseball game, at the Oakland Coliseum watching the Oakland A's.
Enlarge this Picture.

Major League baseball game, at the Oakland Coliseum watching the Oakland A's.
Enlarge this Picture.

Major League baseball game, at the Oakland Coliseum watching the Oakland A's.
Enlarge this Picture.

NFL Oakland Raiders game, sitting in Al's Alps.
Enlarge this Picture.

NFL Oakland Raiders game, sitting in Al's Alps.
Enlarge this Picture.

Statues at the Oakland Museum.
Enlarge this Picture.

The Claremont Resort and Spa, located in Berkeley, CA on Domingo between Ashby and Claremont.
Enlarge this Picture.

Sather Tower at the UC Berkeley Campus, George Galen Howard as architect.
Enlarge this Picture.

Telegraph Ave at Durant in Berkeley.
Enlarge this Picture.

Additional parks and cities not in Oakland but in the Bay Area are listed below for your viewing.
San Francisco by World from the Web.
San Jose by World from the Web.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park by World from the Web.
Mt. Diablo State Park by World from the Web.
Muir Woods National Monument by World from the Web.
Tilden Regional Park by World from the Web.

Further information on Oakland can be found at the City of Oakland Official City Website or
Oakland.com page.