
Oakland became the western terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad on November 8, 1869; the Long Wharf opened in 1871 and the Oakland Mole in 1882.
Two giant redwoods in the Oakland hills — the Blossom Rock Navigation Trees, California Historical Landmark No. 962 — once guided ships on the bay, a bearing logged by Captain F.W. Beechey in 1826.
Why People Visit Oakland
Visitors come to Oakland for a Bay Area city with its own strong character: a wild lake at its center, redwood groves in the hills, a historic waterfront, and one of the most celebrated food scenes in California. The museums and Jack London Square sit minutes from the lake, and San Francisco is a quick trip across the bay. Equal parts oak-grove heritage and creative energy, Oakland rewards anyone drawn to the heart of the East Bay.