The city of Oakland has a rich history dating to its original inhabitants, the Ohlone Indians, a hunting and gathering culture that disappeared after the Spanish and Mexican settlements in the early 1800s. The city was incorporated in 1852 and has served as the county seat since 1873.

Oakland is ranked as the sixth largest city in California with the fourth largest container port in the United States. Pacific Rim countries are the principal origination and destination points for international cargo. The 2,500-acre Oakland International Airport leads the Bay Area in small-package shipping and ranks 10th in the na-tion in air cargo as measured by landed weight.

In the area of commerce, Oakland is home to many high-profile businesses including the nation’s largest health plan, Kaiser Permanente. Also based in Oakland are The Clorox Co., American President Lines Ltd., and Golden West Financial Corp. Oakland is ranked fourth in the nation among cities with the highest percentage of its work force in skilled occupations such as executives, managers or technicians.

Oakland is the most ethnically diverse city in the nation, with at least 81 languages and dialects spoken. Topping a list of Oakland’s many strengths is its distinctive neighborhoods, each with its own history and ambience.

From the bustling Fruitvale district to the trendy shops and cafes along College Avenue in the Rockridge District, Oakland reveals its many facets. Jack London Square, Oakland’s waterfront, offers the tourist or browser an array of shops to delight young and old. Beautiful Lake Merritt offers outstanding picnic sites, jogging trails and boating opportunities. Children visiting the park can play in Children’s Fairyland and see North America’s oldest bird refuge. At night, the lake shows off with its "Necklace of Lights."

Just east of the lake is the Grand/Lakeshore area, one of the most integrated neighborhoods in the East Bay. The area includes trendy restaurants, jazz and blues clubs and the historic Grand Lake Theater.

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http://www.museumca.org/
[Oakland Museum of California]
http://www.pardeehome.org
[Pardee Home Museum]
http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/AAMLO/g
[African American Museum & Library]

http://www.ebparks.org/index.htm
http://www.oaklandnet.com/parks/default.asp
http://www.oaklandnet.com/recreation/splash/lake_
merritt_splash.html
http://www.oaklandzoo.org/

http://www.nba.com/warriors/
[Golden State Warriors]
http://www.oaklandathletics.com/
[Oakland Athletics]
http://www.raiders.com
[Oakland Raiders]
http://www.oaklandbanshees.com/
[Oakland Banshees]
http://www.coliseum.com/coliseum.html
[Oakland Coliseum Complex]
http://www.oaklandice.com/
[Oakland Ice Center]
http://www.eastbaywarriors.org/index.shtml
[East Bay Warriors Youth Football & Cheer program]

http://www.hjkevents.com/
http://www.jacklondonsq.com/
Jack london Square
http://www.oaklandnet.com/community/oldoakland/shopdine.html
Shop Oakland Convention and Business Bureu
http://www.urbanvillageonline.com/oldoakland/
Farmers Market
http://www.chabotspace.org/
Chabot Space and Science Center

http://www.oebs.org/
Oakland Symphony
http://www.paramounttheatre.com
Paramount Theatre Events
http://www.oaklandopera.org/
Oakland Opera

http://www.csuhayward.edu/
http://www.cel.sfsu.edu/
http://www.berkeley.edu/
http://www.samuelmerritt.edu/default.cfm
http://www.mills.edu/
http://www.ccac-art.edu

http://www.hnc.edu/index2.html
[Holy Names College]
http://www.patten.edu/
[Patten College]
http://www.peralta.cc.ca.us/