The History of Oakland, CAThe city of Oakland is situated in the San Francisco Bay Area in northern California. Incorporated as a town in 1852, the city derives its name from the forests of oak trees that defined the area when it was first explored by non-Natives in the late 18th century. After the California Gold Rush and the extension of railroad lines to the area, Oakland saw continuing bursts of development, industry and population. A shipping and tidal channel was dug in 1902 in response to the city’s need for a port. Oakland’s early economy flourished in manufacturing industries such as automobiles, shipbuilding, metals, canneries and bakeries. The 1920’s was a decade of significant growth for Oakland; a large number of the houses that still characterize Oakland today were built during that period, as well as business, retail, and government offices downtown.
Since the prosperous 20’s, Oakland has seen many hardships, from earthquakes and fire to the racial tensions and political transformations of the 60’s and 70’s, but the city has always bounced back and continuously proves itself to be a great place to live. Today more than 415,000 people call Oakland home, and take full advantage of the city’s wide range of opportunities for work and play. The city continues to thrive as a major West Coast port, and in recent years the city’s industry has expanded to include engineering, information technology, and biotechnology fields. Several major corporations have offices or headquarters in Oakland, including Clorox, Kaiser Permanente, Dreyer’s and Cost Plus World Markets. When the work day is done, Oakland offers recreation to peak every interest. The city’s pleasing climate and beautiful location lend themselves to outdoor recreation of all kinds from sports to community gardening. The Oakland Parks and Recreation office maintains 2,500 acres of open space, 100 parks, and 25 recreation centers. The city has a variety of golf courses, athletic fields, tennis courts and community swimming pools as well. And when the sun goes down, Oakland residents enjoy dining, shopping, and exciting nightlife at the local clubs, performance arts, and sports venues. Oakland is proudly home to the MLB Oakland A’s and the NFL Oakland Raiders.
© 2008 Reliance Relocation Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contributed by:  | More Local Area InformationOakland, founded in 1852 and steeped in history, is today considered a major Northern California city. Oakland is
neighbor to San Francisco an... Read moreFor those who want to relocate to Oakland, CA, the real estate market offers just as much variety in housing as it does in business and recreation.... Read moreThe city of Oakland spans from the San Francisco Bay to the East Bay Hills and consists of very distinct and diverse
neighborhoods defined b... Read moreOakland is one of California's most popular cities and makes a wonderful place to live. The residents here are among the most ethnically diverse o... Read morePiedmont, California is one of the more expensive areas in California but for many, the price is worth it. Properties for sale in Piedmont ar... Read morePiedmont is a community with fine architecture and tree-lined streets set within the boundaries of the city of Oakland. It is regarded as one of th... Read moreAlameda, California is a man-made island in the middle of San Francisco Bay. Originally a peninsula off of Oakland, it was “created” i... Read moreEmeryville, California has a small population but its closeness to Silicon Valley, Berkeley and San Francisco, makes it a wonderful place to live.... Read moreLocated just east of Oakland through the Caldecott Tunnel along the 24, Orinda is one of three towns that makes up what is commonly referred to a... Read moreHomes in Orinda, California are typically built on hillsides surrounded by eucalyptus and pines. The houses in Orinda are beautiful... Read moreThe city of Berkley is located on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in northern California. Although the region saw settlement as early as th... Read moreMuch has been written about Berkeley, California for the past few decades and this city still remains one of the most liberal places in the countr... Read moreBerkeley extends from the shores of San Francisco Bay to the “Berkeley Hills”. Neighboring cites include Oakland and Emeryville to the south wit... Read moreBerkeley boasts a number of distinct neighborhoods including the densely populated area surrounding the University of California campus. Downtow... Read moreMoraga, California is one of three communities making up the Lamorinda area; Lafayette and Orinda are the other two. This slow growing town offers ... Read moreThe town of Moraga, California is stunning and so are the many homes located here. One can find beautiful homes for sale, perfect for everyone fro... Read moreMost famous for its annual Cherry Festival, San Leandro, California is a quiet, small community which many older residents like to call home, addin... Read moreAlbany is located on the Eastern shores of the San Francisco Bay across the water from the Golden Gate Bridge and borders the cities of Berkeley, E... Read moreThere are two key aspects to the small town of Albany, California that might be most attractive for potential homebuyers: families (the vas... Read moreThe town of Kensington is an unincorporated area in the southwest corner of Contra Costa County between Berkeley and El Cerrito. Located high in th... Read more |
