The Necklace of Lights — 126 lampposts and 3,400 bulbs — was first lit in 1925, went dark for the 1941 blackout, was relit in 1987, and turned 100 in 2025.
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.
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.
