The elected Oakland City Auditor conducts impartial assessments and publishes reports on City Administrative offices’ integrity, transparency, and ethics. The Fraud Waste & Abuse Hotline is for us to let the Office of the City Auditor know of irresponsible uses or abuses of City resources.
Check here for building codes and permit information, agendas for City Council meetings, library information and other official information and updates.
The Oakland Heritage Alliance is a non-profit membership organization which advocates the protection, preservation, and revitalization of Oakland’s architectural, historic, cultural and natural resources through publications, education, and direct action.
A nonpartisan political organization which encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Leads to links with all our legislators.
The City of Oakland offers a wide range of recreation; leisurely activities; and cultural, educational and environmental programs and activities. OPR manages 2,500 acres of open space; 100 parks and public grounds; 25 recreation, community and interpretive centers; and innovative and instrumental programs. Enjoy our beautiful outdoors in 100+ parks, grow delicious vegetables at 7 community gardens, play tennis at 59 outdoor courts, golf at 3 courses, grab a ball on any of 53 athletic fields, or dive into refreshing water at 5 pools.
Morcom Municipal Rose Garden (Morcom Amphitheater of Roses) is a fantasyland of a thousand fragrant roses. The garden which features a large Italian-style pavilion, a reflective pool and terraces overflowing with gorgeous roses. The first roses bloomed in 1932 at Morcom Rose Garden; today the Gardens feature 6,000 plants and 300 varieties of roses throughout the garden’s 8 acres.
Lake Merritt stands as the jewel of Oakland, even crowned with lights. A unique fresh and salt-water lake, the largest such lake located within an urban area. It is 3.4 miles around the circumference of the lake, covering 155 acres of land. The depth of Lake Merritt varies upon how much water is allowed to filter in from the Estuary and upon rain water intake.
Just imagine: a ten-acre park on the shores of Oakland’s Lake Merritt where children’s literature comes to life and kids can be kids.
Since 1950, Children’s Fairyland has been delighting children and their parents with whimsical storybook sets, gentle rides, friendly animals, wonder-filled puppet shows, and inspired live entertainment.
While enjoying the unique beauty of the Japanese Garden, take advantage of surrounding grounds at the Garden Center which offers a peaceful waterfall with benches and shaded trees, water fountain, sundial, Koi pond, butterfly garden, bonsai garden, a vegetable and fruit demonstration garden (with two access points into Lake Merritt) and a variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Walk Oakland Bike Oakland (WOBO), founded in 2006, is a volunteer-powered organization dedicated to improving neighborhood livability, vitality, and sustainability by making Oakland a better place to walk and bike.
The East Bay Regional Park District spans Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco with 108,000+ acres in 65 parks including over 1,200 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature study. The Park District offers lakes, shorelines, campgrounds, visitor centers, interpretive and recreation programs, picnic areas, indoor/outdoor rental facilities, golf courses and much more.
Be inspired about the Universe and our Planet Earth. Founded as an observatory in 1883, today Chabot offers hands-on exhibits, activity-filled events, and Planetarium and large-screen shows exploring mysteries of the universe and of life on Earth. Set amid beautiful redwood parkland in the Oakland hills, yet just 2.5 miles off the freeway, Chabot is also home to the largest U.S. public telescope facility. Experience the wonders of the cosmos gazing through telescopes at distant stars and planets.
Oakland’s Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate, built in 1899, features a 37-room Neoclassical Revival mansion set amid 50 acres of landscaped grounds and meadows. The estate enjoys a pond, gazebo, carriage house, and pavilion.
The aircraft carrier USS HORNET is a national treasure, having participated in two of the greatest events of the 20th century — World War II and the Apollo 11 manned space mission. Now peacefully moored at historic Alameda Point on San Francisco Bay, the USS HORNET is a timeless memorial to those who defended our American values and to those who have pursued America’s technological advancements.
Volunteers recognizing the importance of public parks to the health and well-being of urban dwellers. The Coalition has worked since 2001 to promote stewardship as a means to improving the quality of Oakland’s parks.
Take a step back in time and witness the charming beauty of Preservation Park’s Victorian neighborhood. Lush gardens, period park benches, ornate wrought iron fences, old fashioned street lamps and Parisian fountain surround you at your next celebration, whether for an intimate garden wedding, civic function or holiday gala.
“Dedicated to coalescing the arts communities of Piedmont and around the Bay Area. We have an exciting calendar of events for your enjoyment in the visual, musical, dramatic and literary arts. Musical recitals, literary talks, art shows and adult drama classes.”
“Michael Morgan is the Mad Hatter of symphony music directors, creating wildly imaginative concerts where other more tradition-rooted directors fear to go.” ~ Oakland Tribune
The Oakland Symphony Chorus enriches our community through high quality musical performances and educational workshops that raise appreciation and understanding of choral music, while providing opportunities for people who love to sing.
Inspiring the East Bay community and beyond by keeping the tradition of ballet exciting, vibrant, and accessible, especially through the presentation of works of the Diaghilev repertoire and modern masterpieces.
A classic open-air performance facility offering summer musicals and family picnicking. The word “woodminster” literally means “cathedral in the woods.” High in the Oakland Hills, with sweeping views, is 500-acre Joaquin Miller Park. The Park is home to one of the only urban second-growth redwood groves in existence, with miles of trails, picnic grounds, and art deco construction including Woodminster Amphitheater and Cascades. The latter are a memorial to California writers.
