Oakland

Oakland, California 

The county seat and largest city in Alameda County, California, is Oakland. In addition to being the largest city in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland is also the third-largest city overall in the Bay Area and the eighth most populous city in California. Oakland is a significant West Coast port. The Port of Oakland is the busiest port in Northern California and the sixth busiest port in the United States of America, with a population of 440,646 in 2020. It acts as the commerce hub and economic engine for the Bay Area. On May 4, 1852, the city was formed. It is a charter city, Oakland. 

Oakland's region includes what was formerly a patchwork of North Coastal Scrub, Oak Woodland, and California Coastal Terrace Prairie. It was included in a big rancho grant in the colony of New Spain in the late 18th century. When the hillside oak and redwood timber was harvested for the construction of San Francisco, its land was used as a resource.

It developed into an agriculturally productive area thanks to the rich flatland soils. Oakland was chosen as the Transcontinental Railroad's western terminus in the late 1860s. Following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, a large number of residents of San Francisco relocated to Oakland, expanding its population, housing stock, and infrastructure. With a robust automobile manufacturing industry, a busy port, and shipyards, it continued to expand in the 20th century. 

Climate 

Oakland has a 260-day-per-year average of sunshine and a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb). The city typically experiences warm, dry summers and chilly, rainy winters.

Oakland has the best climate among American cities, according to information gathered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Temperate and seasonal Mediterranean climate best describes Oakland's climate. Winters are typically chilly and moist, and summers are typically dry and mild. It is warmer than San Francisco and cooler than San Jose because it shares characteristics with both surrounding coastal cities like San Francisco and inland communities like San Jose. Because of the Bay Bridge's proximity to San Francisco Bay, the northern half of the city occasionally experiences a cooling maritime fog. Because it is located far enough inland, the fog frequently dissipates by noon, allowing for normal sunny California days. Due to the fog that comes down from Berkeley, the hills typically have more fog than the flatlands.

From October 4, 1894, to July 31, 1958, the U.S. Weather Bureau recorded weather data in downtown Oakland. The highest temperature ever recorded during that time was 104 °F (40 °C) on June 24, 1957, and the lowest temperature ever recorded was 24 °F (4 °C) on January 23, 1949. Sometimes, especially in the fall, dry, warm offshore "Diablo" winds develop (akin to the Santa Ana winds of Southern California), increasing the risk of wildfires. Such an occurrence in 1991 caused the disastrous Oakland Hills fire to spread and destroy numerous homes.

Like all of Northern California, Oakland is vulnerable to atmospheric rivers and winter rainstorms. With 44.28 inches (1,125 mm) of rainfall, 1983 was the wettest calendar year. 2013 was the driest, with 4.11 inches (104 mm). In January 1911, 15.35 inches (390 mm) of rain fell during the month. On January 26, 2008, 4.29 inches (109 mm) of rain fell in 24 hours. Only 23 inches (580 mm) of rain fall on average at the bayfront, compared to up to 30 inches (760 mm) in the Oakland Hills to the east, with the majority of rain falling between November and April.

Mild overnight lows. The warmest recorded night in Oakland was 72 °F (22 °C) in September 1971, and the average temperature for the year's warmest low is 64 °F (18 °C). The lowest temperature ever recorded on the coldest day of the year was 36 °F (2 °C), which is warm at 50 °F (10 °C) on average.

Oakland International Airport and the Oakland Museum are the two official meteorological stations operated by the National Weather Service today (established 1970). 

Economy 

Oakland is a significant port on the West Coast and ranks fifth in terms of cargo volume in the country. The $41 billion in foreign trade that passes through Northern California in containers is handled by the Port of Oakland. In the Oakland region, there are around 200,000 occupations associated to marine cargo shipping. These positions range from hourly positions paying the federal minimum wage to managers of transportation, storage, and distribution, who get an average yearly compensation of US$91,520.

The Port of Oakland was a pioneer in the development of intermodal containerized shipping systems. Major businesses like Kaiser Permanente, Clorox, and Dreyer's ice cream are also based in the city. Many start-ups high tech and green energy companies have recently found a home in the downtown areas of Uptown, City Center, Jack London Square, and Lake Merritt Financial District. Tech companies including Ask.com and Pandora Radio are located in Oakland. 

With a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$360.4 billion as of 2013, the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward metropolitan area is the eighth-largest metropolitan area in the country. In 2014, Oakland, the second-highest ranked city in California after San Francisco, was among the finest places to launch a career. Oakland was ranked fourth among cities with employment opportunities as well. Numerous businesses in San Francisco are moving to Oakland or expanding there. 

In the early to mid-first decade of the twenty-first century, Oakland saw a surge in both its population and the value of its land. The 10k Plan, which was launched under previous mayor Elihu Harris and strengthened by former mayor Jerry Brown, led to the construction of thousands of new multi-family homes and other developments. 

Arts & Culture 

The United States' largest per-capita number of artists is found in Oakland, which boasts a thriving art scene. With Downtown (including Uptown), Chinatown, Old Oakland, and Jack London Square being recognized as the neighborhoods "that have most successfully combined art, artists, and venues for creativity and expression with independent businesses, retail shops, and restaurants, and with a walkable lifestyle to make vibrant neighborhoods," Oakland was named one of America's top twelve art communities in 2013.

There are galleries spread across Oakland, with the most recent additions concentrated largely in the Uptown neighborhood. The 11th best city for designers and artists is Oakland. The city is a well-known culinary hotspot, offering both a wide variety and innovative approaches to diverse cuisines in restaurants and markets. These restaurants and markets frequently feature locally grown produce and international styles like French, Italian, Portuguese/Spanish, Ethiopian, Asian, Latin American, as well as Caribbean, Southern United States/Louisiana Creole, etc., all of which reflect the culinary traditions of the city's ethnically diverse population.

Historically a hub for the West Coast blues and jazz scenes, Oakland is also home to musicians that play music from other genres, including hip hop, funk, heavy metal, rap/gangsta rap, gospel, rhythm and blues, and punk. Mistah F.A.B., E-40, Too Short, Raphael Saadiq, MC Hammer, Keyshia Cole, Kehlani, Del the Funky Homosapien, Edwin Hawkins, Tony! Toni! Toné!, and numerous other artists are all from Oakland. 

Sports 

Major professional teams have at various times represented Oakland in baseball, soccer, American football, basketball, and hockey.

In Major League Baseball, the Oakland Athletics won three straight World Series championships in 1972, 1973, and 1974. They also participated in three additional World Series from 1988 to 1990, claiming their fourth title in 1989. The Athletics, who play their home games at the Oakland Coliseum, have stated they want to move their stadium closer to the city center, but those plans have not been set in stone.

A soccer team called the Oakland Roots SC was established in 2018. The Roots started competing in the National Independent Soccer Association, a brand-new third division professional league, in 2019. However, the team declared that starting in the 2021 season, it would transfer to the second division and compete in the USL Championship. 

The Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL) won the Super Bowl XI in 1976 and the Super Bowl XV in 1980 while playing their football there. In 2020, the Raiders moved to Las Vegas, where they are now referred to as the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Golden State Warriors, a former basketball team from Oakland, won the NBA championships in 1974–75, 2014–15, 2016–17, and 2017–18, but were defeated in 2016 and 2019. The Warriors, whose main owners are from Southern California, declared in April 2014 that they will relocate to San Francisco once their new arena had been constructed across the Bay. The Warriors constructed Chase Center across the Bay and relocated there in 2019. Since the team remained in the Bay Area, it was decided not to go back to its original moniker of San Francisco Warriors. 

The Oakland Spiders, an ultimate team from Oakland, moved to Oakland in 2022 after eight seasons as the San Jose Spiders. 

Population 

California's Alameda County is home to the city of Oakland. Additionally, it serves as Alameda County's County seat. It will have 455,622 inhabitants in 2023, making it the 43rd-largest city in the United States and the eighth-largest city in California. Oakland's population has grown by 3.40% since the most recent census, which showed a population of 440,646 in 2020, and is now rising at a pace of 1.11% year. With a length of almost 78 miles, Oakland has 8,152 residents per square mile.

The poverty rate in Oakland is 17.36% and the average household income is $108,297. The median monthly cost of rent in recent years has been, and the median value of a home is. Oakland has a 36.6-year median age, with 35.9-year men and 37.2-year females.

On the San Francisco Bay, in the state of California, is the sizable port city of Oakland. It is the eighth-largest city in California and the third-largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Located directly across the water from San Francisco and serving as the regional capital of the East Bay of the Bay Area, Oakland is a significant center for trade and transportation. 

Oakland has made efforts to lower its high crime rate and has maintained its position as one of the most sustainable cities in the country. Additionally, it has grown to be a popular travel destination. Oakland was ranked 16th on "America's Coolest Cities" two years ago and was named the best North American city to visit. 

Top News Websites 

East Bay Express | Oakland & Berkeley News, Events, Restaurants, Music, & Arts 

The neighborhood's alternative to national media is The East Bay Express. We want to advance the truth, reveal wrongdoing, and give the voiceless a voice. We are committed to supporting regional arts and culture. Get information about news, the arts, and dining in Oakland, Berkeley, and the larger East Bay. 

Oakland News Now Today Blog 

Berkeley News The goal right now is to fill a void that has existed in Oakland for a while: a technologically cutting-edge news blog website built around the creation of content for smartphones, or what is known as the "Third Wave" of media. Get news about Oakland, East Bay, SF Bay Area, the USA, the world, technology, the NFL, sports, and culture. 

Current City Mayor 

One of the Bay Area's most capable and effective progressive leaders is Mayor Thao. She became a dedicated, compassionate leader as a result of her family's experience of genocide, abject poverty, and abuse. Her numerous successes as a City Council member demonstrate her dedication to racial justice, creating affordable housing, fighting for low-wage workers, and safeguarding renters. As Oakland's 51st Mayor, she will use this commitment to better the lives of the city's citizens.

Mayor Thao, a native of Stockton, California, and the daughter of Hmong refugees, grew up in abject poverty. Her family resided in public housing and made use of social assistance. She left home at age 17 and was isolated from her family, in an abusive relationship, and pregnant when she was in her early 20s. She managed to flee this domestic abuse, but she soon gave birth and had no stable housing. She spent months sleeping on couches or in her car with her son Ben. She started working and taking school at the neighborhood community college when Ben was just 10 months old. She supported herself through school with the aid of welfare and a Head Start program for her son. She graduated as the class valedictorian, transferred to UC Berkeley, co-founded a program to help low-income students get access to food, and earned a degree in legal studies there.

She began working for an Oakland City Council member as a legislative assistant soon after graduating, eventually rising to the position of chief of staff. The first Hmong-American councilmember in California history, she successfully ran for and was elected to City Council District 4 in 2018. She overcame political differences as a Councilmember to advance numerous important issues. She convened the Council to make significant investments in initiatives that reduce violence while also securing financing for three new police academies in the previous budget. The Oakland business sector and organized labor reached a historic agreement last year, according to Mayor Thao, to modernize the city's company tax system and raise millions of dollars for public services.