• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • TravelingDad

Traveling Mom

Traveling tips, deals, info from moms and families

  • COVID-19
  • Road Trips
    • ROAD TRIPS ACROSS THE USA
    • ROAD TRIP PLANNER
    • ILLINOIS ROAD TRIPS
    • TEXAS ROAD TRIPS
    • GEORGIA ROAD TRIPS
    • CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIPS
    • NORTHEAST ROAD TRIPS
    • MIDWEST ROAD TRIPS
  • Destinations
    • Northeast
    • Southeast
    • East Coast
    • Midwest
    • South
    • Southwest
    • Northwest
    • West
    • US Cities
      • New York City
      • Chicago
      • Los Angeles
      • Orlando
      • San Diego
      • San Francisco
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
  • Outdoors
    • Skiing
    • National Parks
    • RV/Camping
    • Beaches
  • Travel Resources
    • Babies and Toddlers
    • Free Things to Do
    • Packing
    • Discount Attractions Tickets
    • Discount Disney World Ticket
    • Discount Universal Tickets
    • Grandparents
    • Cruising
    • TravelingDad
  • Search
  • COVID-19
  • Road Trips
    • Road Trips Across the USA
    • Road Trip Planner
    • Illinois Road Trips
    • Texas Road Trips
    • Georgia Road Trips
    • California Road Trips
    • Northeast Road Trips
    • Midwest Road Trips
  • US National Parks
  • RV and Camping
  • Beaches
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
  • Cruises
  • Skiing
  • Free Things to Do
  • Traveling with Babies and Toddlers
  • Traveling Grandparents
  • TravelingDad
  • US Destinations
    • Northeast
    • Southeast
    • East Coast
    • Midwest
    • South
    • Southwest
    • Northwest
    • West
  • US Cities
    • NYC
    • Chicago
    • Los Angeles
    • Orlando
    • San Diego
    • San Francisco
  • International
  • Travel Resources
    • Book A Trip
    • Discount Attractions Tickets
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
    • Discount Universal Tickets
    • Packing
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

Mobile Menu

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
You are here: Home / Family Vacations / Family Vacations in San Francisco / 15+ Family-Friendly Things to do in Oakland CA
Photo Credit: Visit Oakland

15+ Family-Friendly Things to do in Oakland CA

November 6, 2019 //  by Mimi Slawoff//  5 Comments

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Diverse Neighborhoods
  • Outdoor Attractions+−
    • Jack London Square
    • Oakland Chinatown
    • Oakland Zoo 
    • Lake Merritt 
    • Children's Fairyland
  • Cultural Favorites in Oakland+−
    • Oakland Museum of California
    • Chabot Space & Science Center
    • Oakland Aviation Museum
  • More Things to Do in Oakland
  • Free and Cheap Things to Do
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, TravelingMom may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Located across the bridge from San Francisco Bay, Oakland is a city with several distinct neighborhoods. Locals refer to this side of the bay as the East Bay, a diverse area with fun family friendly attractions, festivals, and restaurants. Whether you’re traveling with tots or teens, this city has an array of fun and affordable family attractions.

Lake Merritt in Oakland CA.
America’s oldest wildlife preserve, Lake Merritt has picnic sites and walking paths. Photo Credit: Conrad Tse/Visit Oakland

Since our first visit many years ago, the East Bay city has blossomed into an exciting, emerging destination. There are plenty of family attractions, like the expanded Oakland Zoo and waterfront activities. Foodies will be impressed with the growing food and drinks scene. In addition, the Oakland Urban Wine Trail and Oakland Ale Trail feature top California wines and brews. Also, those who love the the nightlife will find creative cocktails, and live music.

If you’re traveling in the area, you’ll find it’s also the perfect home base while on a Northern California college tour or for spending one day in San Francisco, and the Bay Area. Oakland is also near Napa Valley, and Berkeley, if you’re headed to those areas.

From our home in Los Angeles, it’s about a five hour drive to Oakland. The Oakland International Airport offers 47 international and domestic nonstop flight destinations, so you can get here from almost anywhere. Once you’ve arrived, getting around the area is a snap via rail (BART), ferry, bus or bike.

Diverse Neighborhoods

Oakland’s diverse neighborhoods each offer something unique. Enjoy waterfront activities at Jack London Square, Grand Lake, and Lake Merritt. Uptown Oakland is home to the art deco Fox and Paramount theaters. Inspire young budding architects with Old Oakland’s restored Victorian architecture and boutiques. Traveling with teens?  Introduce them to the hip Rockridge neighborhood, comprised of many Berkeley grads. Scope out the area on a Rockridge Heritage Food Tour and one-hour Rockridge Ice Cream Tour.

Outdoor Attractions

A top area attraction, Jack London Square is an entertainment district on the waterfront. Photo Credit: Visit Oakland

Jack London Square

Situated along the Oakland/Alameda estuary, stroller-friendly Jack London Square is a historic working waterfront named after the famous writer. With a variety of things to see and do, it’s no wonder this site is popular with all ages.When you’re there, plan to spend a few hours enjoying bay views, riding the ferry and grabbing a bite to eat. While there, check out unique floating White House (the U.S.S. Potomac, which served as Franklin D. Roosevelt’s yacht). More things to do include boating, kayaking and riding bikes.

Visiting Chinatown is one of many things to do in Oakland CA.
Oakland Chinatown features ethnicities from all over Asia. Photo Credit: Visit Oakland

Oakland Chinatown

Dating to the 1850s, this is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States. Home to many ethnicities from throughout Asia, Oakland Chinatown has more than 45 restaurants and nine tea shops. Enjoy a smorgasbord of Asian flavors like Japanese Ramen, Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, and Taiwanese boba tea, for instance.

On a stroll through this working neighborhood you’ll see ducks hanging in restaurant windows and hear native languages spoken. Peruse the farmers market for local foods and spices. In addition, be sure to visit the Oakland Asian Cultural Center for performances, festivals and workshops.

The Oakland Zoo is fun to visit with kids.
The Oakland Zoo recently doubled in size with the new California Trail exhibit. Photo Credit: Visit Oakland

Oakland Zoo 

Home to more than 750 native and exotic animals, the Oakland Zoo (founded in 1924) recently doubled in size. That’s thanks to the new California Trail exhibit. This award-winning exhibit encompasses eight new native California animal species, such as the grizzly bears, gray wolves, and bison. Nestled in Knowland Park in the Oakland Hills, the zoo’s exhibits reflect the ecosystems of the animals’ native habitats. While you’re there, ride a gondola for some of the best Bay Area views.

Visiting Lake Merritt is one of many things to do in Oakland CA.
View of Lake Merritt from the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA ). Photo Credit: Visit Oakland

Lake Merritt 

Home to the United States’ oldest wildlife preserve (established in 1870), Lake Merritt is fun to visit day or night. Picnic sites and walking paths make this area a relaxing family outing. Outdoorsy kids can enjoy lake activities like pedal boats, kayaks and canoes. At night, there’s an outdoor installation with 126 lampposts and more than 4,000 light bulbs around the shoreline.

Children's Fairyland is one of many things to do in Oakland CA.
Children’s Fairyland’s storybook shows and rides are geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. Photo Credit: Visit Oakland

Children’s Fairyland

Situated on Lake Merritt’s shores, Children’s Fairyland has whimsical storybook attractions to spark young kids’ imaginations. Ideal for toddlers and preschoolers, the park has puppet shows, play spaces, and gentle rides.

Cultural Favorites in Oakland

Oakland Museum of California

Ranked a top Bay Area museum, the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) spotlights the state’s art, history, and natural science. Interactive exhibits tell the stories of California and the people who shaped the Golden State. Friday nights feature local art, after-hours gallery access, music, dance lessons and food trucks from 5-10 p.m. Family activities include free hands-on art workshops from 5-8 p.m.

Chabot Space & Science Center

Peruse exhibits about the universe, catch a show in the planetarium, and check out celestial wonders with three large historic telescopes.

The Oakland Aviation Museum is one of many things to do in Oakland CA.
Photo Credit: Visit Oakland

Oakland Aviation Museum

Aviation buffs will be interested to see an Electra similar to the one flown by Amelia Earhart. In fact, the young pilot took off from this airfield and disappeared over the Pacific Ocean. Located in a vintage hangar at Oakland International Airport, the museum houses aircraft displays, artifacts, and a giant flying boat.

The Black Cowboy Festival is one of many things to do in Oakland CA.
Horse and pony rides, calf roping and other western-style activities take place at the annual Black Cowboy Parade & Heritage Festival. Photo Credit: Oakland Black Cowboy Association

More Things to Do in Oakland

If you’re in town during football or baseball season, be sure to catch a sports game at the Oakland Coliseum. The city is proud of the Raiders football team and the Oakland Athletics baseball team.

The annual Black Cowboy Parade & Festival takes place each fall at Defremery Park in West Oakland. The event highlights people of color who contributed to the settling of the west. Activities include horse and pony rides, calf roping, and local bands.

From babies to teens, there are tons of family-friendly activities to do in Oakland California. From the Oakland Zoo to outdoor fun, the Bay Area city (near San Francisco) has plenty to keep kids busy. #TMOM #Oakland #California #SanFrancisco | TravelingMom | Family Travel | Travel with Kids
Photo Credit: Diane Bentley Raymond from Getty Images.

Free and Cheap Things to Do

* Free admission to Oakland First Fridays. The monthly events feature street artists, galleries, music, food vendors, and DJs from 5 – 9 p.m. in the KONO district.

* Oakland Museum of California Friday nights features local art, after-hours gallery access, music, dance lessons and food trucks from 5 – 10 p.m.  For families, free workshops from 5 – 8 p.m.

* The Redwood Regional Park is a hidden redwood forest just a few miles over the ridge from downtown. Parking: $5. Dogs: $2 per dog.

* Take a walk at Lake Temescal or Lake Merritt.

* Free tours of Mountain View Cemetery. The free tours happen twice a month. Learn about railroad builders, painters and architects who helped shape the Bay Area and surrounding communities. Docent-led tours last about two hours.

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

Category: Family Vacations in California, Family Vacations in San Francisco, Western States DestinationsTag: California

You May Also Like

  • Dancing reindeer in The Christmas Fantasy Parade at Disneyland Resort.
    Must-Do Attraction Tips for Disneyland Christmas Celebrations
  • Best Free Things to Do In Buena Park, California
  • Holiday Boat Parades Light Up California December Nights
  • Claremont, California has a college campus, restaurants, shops, and galleries
    No Car Necessary: A Weekend in Claremont, California
  • Exploring Long Beach California with Kids will mean time on the Queen Mary.
    Exploring Long Beach California with Kids
Previous Post: «Exploring saguenay quebec by boat. Visiting the Beautiful Lac St Jean in Saguenay Quebec with Kids
Next Post: Hyatt Lost Pines Resort for Families »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

5 Comments on “15+ Family-Friendly Things to do in Oakland CA”

  1. Anonymous says:
    September 3, 2018 at 3:20 pm

    0.5

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says:
    April 29, 2018 at 2:40 pm

    1

    Reply
  3. Christine Tibbetts says:
    May 25, 2017 at 3:07 pm

    Delightful story – and enticing. Thank you for such specific tips.

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says:
    May 25, 2017 at 3:06 pm

    4.5

    Reply
  5. Leslie Harvey, Frequent Flyer TravelingMom says:
    May 22, 2017 at 5:23 pm

    5

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Manage Push Notifications
  • Site Admin

Copyright © 2021 Traveling Mom · All Rights Reserved