From labyrinths to the USS Potomac, discover Oakland’s hidden treasures
Even before Oakland’s modernday renaissance, the city’s wealth of entertainment options has made it difficult to narrow things down to what a mere human can accomplish. But beyond its most popular attractions, the allure of Oakland’s unexpected and under-the-radar treasures add essential character to the East Bay city.
THE CRUCIBLE
Step into the fire at this industrial arts hub of DIY mastery, and come away with a new avenue of creative exploration — whether it’s welding, leather working, glass blowing, fire dancing or neon sculpture. Classes here conjure up old-school days of working on cool projects with funky art and shop teachers. Programs for kids and adults help inspire an individual creative process, self-confidence for risk-taking and new skills to take into the future.
TEMESCAL ALLEY AND ALLEY 49
Once housing stables for the horses that pulled historic Oakland trolleys, the early 20th-century structures in these alleyways are now home to indulgent restaurants, independent shops and artist spaces. From botanically inspired treasures at Crimson to fine jewelry at Esqueleto to handcrafted tinctures from Homestead Apothecary, these pedestrian alleys are havens for creative spirits.
LABYRINTHS AT SIBLEY VOLCANIC REGIONAL PARK
One of the East Bay’s original three parks, Sibley Volcanic Regional Park includes a 10-millionyear-old volcano, Round Top. But on your hike through the park, keep a look out for other formations
Oakland by foot
Become an expert on downtown on a free, guided walking tour off through October 2017. Choose fr follow the path of the city from its nus of the Transcontinental Railro Art Deco eras and the contributio immigrants, to the development the many places where Oakland A left their mark. Tours are offered a urdays; reservations are recomme (510) 238-3234, www.oaklandnet — labyrinths are tucked away like treasures. The largest, created by Montclair sculptor Helena Mazzariello, is a short walk from the parking lot. A delicate heartshaped labyrinth lies near the intersection of the Quarry and Volcanic trails.
OAKLAND AVIATION MUSEUM
Housed in a former hangar at Old North Field and once home to the Boeing School of Aeronautics, this museum highlights the importance aviation has played in Oakland’s history. Display aircraft, such as the Short Solent Mark III flying boat (from “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”) and Douglas
Oakland’s many sights by going fered by the City of Oakland rom eight different itineraries to s position as the western termioad, through the Victorian and ons of Chinese and other Asian of the waterfront and finally to African American leaders have at 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Satended, but not required. .com/walkingtours. KA-3B Skywarrior, lure aeronautics fans especially on Open Cockpit Days when visitors can sit inside and pretend to fly.
JOAQUIN MILLER PARK’S WOODMINSTER AMPHITHEATER & WOODMINSTER CASCADES
One of Oakland’s many natural treasures, Joaquin Miller Park was named for the Pony Express rider and California poet who championed this urban environment. Catch one of the summer musicals or popular Sundays in the Redwoods concert series presented at the historic Woodminster Amphitheater, surrounded by a redwood forest. While you’re there, wander up the Cascades, the granite staircase that ascends right next to a gentle waterfall, leading you to views of downtown Oakland.
USS POTOMAC
Get a look at the 165-foot vessel that served as the “Floating White House,” Franklin Delanor Roosevelt’s presidential yacht until his death in 1945. Dockside tours of the floating memorial to the president allow visitors to walk in his footsteps, while public cruises (like sightseeing history cruises, blues cruises, wine cruises and more) include San Francisco Bay views and historical background on FDR’s role in the bay’s development.
DUNSMUIR-HELLMAN HISTORIC ESTATE
Alexander Dunsmuir, the son of a coal baron from British Columbia, built this home as a wedding gift for his wife in 1899, but he tragically died on their honeymoon, and she lived here alone until 1901. Later purchased by the Hellman family as a summer home, the estate was developed further. Seasonal mansion tours open the doors of this elegant house to the public, and special events let you enjoy the grounds as if they were (almost) yours.
PERALTA HACIENDA HISTORIC PARK
As settlers who were part of the de Anza expedition from Mexico to California, the Peralta family built adobes on a vast Spanish land grant in what is now Oakland. After the adobes were destroyed in an earthquake, Antonio Peralta built the Peralta House in 1870, which serves as a historic house museum. Together with the remnants of the adobe structures and hacienda walls and the Peralta Creek nature area, the 6-acre park tells the stories of the Peralta rancho and of the Fruitvale community today.
MILLIONAIRE’S ROW IN MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY
You’re not crazy to hang out in this graveyard. The winding roadways and native live oaks of parklike Mountain View Cemetery are only some of the reasons to visit. The two lanes that make up Millionaire’s Row include crypts of many big names in California and Bay Area history, like Charles Crocker, Samuel Merritt, Julia Morgan, Anthony Chabot and Domingo Ghirardelli. Linger a while for the beautiful views of Oakland from this spot.
MORMON TEMPLE
The second temple in California to be built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (after Los Angeles), the Oakland California Temple commands sweeping views of the Bay Area from its perch in the Oakland hills. Check in at the visitor center for illuminating exhibits and special event news before strolling around the stunning manicured grounds that lie in the shadow of the golden spires.