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 InformationFor 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 moreThere are two key aspects to the small town of Albany, California that might be most attractive for potential homebuyers: families (the vas... Read moreLafayette, California offers an idyllic environment with a blend of diverse topography, small town atmosphere, established neighborhoods and acces... Read moreLafayette, California is a city located in Contra Costa County, in the San Francisco-Oakland metro area. This small town remains true to it... Read moreEl Cerrito, California is a city on the eastern front of San Francisco Bay giving many of the available homes and apartments a great view of not jus... Read moreOne of the world's most famous cities, San Francisco, California has a lot to offer for everyone. Famous landmarks (such as the Golden Gate Bridge)... Read moreSan Francisco is an international, financial, and cultural center, a dynamic global city that is rich with diversity. Grown from the ruins of th... Read moreSan Francisco’s iconic downtown skyline is dotted with extremely tall business buildings and lorded over by the easily identifiable Transameric... Read moreUpper Market is a diverse community featuring a blend of residential buildings, historical homes and commercial businesses. A vibrant part of Sa... Read more |
