| Oakland, a major West Coast Port city is located eight | | | | the Oakland Estuary, The Chabot Space and Science |
| miles east of the city of San Francisco and is the | | | | Center, the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum, the |
| eighth largest city in US state of California. Earlier the | | | | East Bay Regional Park District and Chinatown. One |
| town of Oakland was held by the Peralta family but in | | | | of Oakland's most distinguished features is Lake Meritt, |
| 1852 it was incorporated by the California legislature. | | | | the largest urban salt water lake in the United States. |
| Since two-thirds of Oakland lies within the flat plains of | | | | Technically, Lake Meritt is an estuary of San Francisco |
| the San Francisco Bay, with one-third rising into the | | | | Bay. Oakland Unified School District operates most |
| foothills and hills of the East Bay range, the Oaklanders | | | | public schools in Oakland. The three largest public high |
| refer their city's terrain as the 'flat lands' and the 'hills'. | | | | schools in Oakland are Oakland High School, Oakland |
| Oakland has struggled with many challenges which | | | | Technical High School and Skyline High School. |
| included widespread poverty, high unemployment, | | | | Oakland is also known for its International Airports. The |
| severe earthquakes and an increasing rate of crime. | | | | three major airports utilized by the residents of |
| Oakland suffered many deaths and injuries during the | | | | Oakland are: Oakland International Airport, San |
| 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. Oakland has | | | | Francisco International Airport and San Jose |
| consistently been listed as one of the most dangerous | | | | International Airport. The port of Oakland is one of the |
| cities in the United States. Even today crime remains | | | | largest seaports on San Francisco Bay and serves as |
| one of Oakland's most serious challenges. | | | | the fourth busiest container port in the United States. |
| However, Oakland continued to grow into the | | | | There are many languages spoken in Oakland due to |
| twentieth century with its port, shipyards and | | | | which it is the second most ethnically diverse city in the |
| developed automobile industry. In the early to mid | | | | United States. |
| 2000s, Oakland experienced an increase of both its | | | | Oakland has witnessed a remarkable increase in its |
| population and of land values. Oakland has a very mild | | | | land values due to its central geographic location, mild |
| climate with cool and dry winters and summers are | | | | weather and hillside neighborhoods providing a beautiful |
| usually warm and dry. Thus its climate is typified by the | | | | view of San Francisco and the Bay. This has led an |
| temperate and seasonal Mediterranean climate. | | | | attractive alternative to the high rents and home prices |
| Oakland has a Mayor-Council government. It is home | | | | in nearby San Francisco. Because of its size, Oakland |
| to several major corporations including Kaiser | | | | also offers a substantial number of shopping districts |
| Permanente and Clorox, as well as corporate | | | | and restaurants representing American and |
| headquarters for nationwide businesses like Preyer's | | | | International cuisines. Altogether Oakland is a beautiful |
| Cost Plus world markets. It is also the home to Rocky | | | | place to live in with culture everywhere, friendly people, |
| Road ice-cream and the MaiTai cocktail. Some major | | | | lovely music, and lots of cool places to explore. Other |
| recreational attractions include the Fox Theater, The | | | | than the problems of poverty and elevated rate of |
| Oakland Zoo, the Oakland Museum of California, the | | | | violent crime, its architectural parks, restaurants, libraries |
| Paramount Theater, Lake Meritt, Jack London Square, | | | | airports and neighborhoods make it a perfect place. |