Oakland Walking Tours

This summer, learn about Oakland's historic buildings and burgeoning renaissance by foot with Oakland Walking Tours. The free 90-minute tours allow visitors to experience eight different sides of Oakland. In Old Oakland, explore the 1870s business district with restored brick buildings, and at the City Center, get a glimpse of Oakland's landmarks such as the Tribune Tower, Rotunda Building and City Hall. Cruise through Uptown to Lake Merritt and find art-deco venues such as the Fox Theater, Paramount Theatre and Floral Depot Building, or gander at the Victorian architecture in Preservation Park. Get a taste of the multi-ethnic Chinatown shops, restaurants and cultural institutions, and trace Jack London's footsteps at the waterfront of Jack London Square. Appreciate historic churches and temples found throughout the city, or delve into the New Era/New Politics of African-American leaders of Oakland.  

Enjoy the Arts in Temescal

The Temescal district hosts a series of cultural events in the summer that bring visitors and the community together. The Temescal Street Cinema starts up this month including six films from local filmmakers, ranging from topics on DIY urban homesteading, a youth theater company and animation shorts. On July 10, the Temescal Street Fair brings food, dancing, music and more to the streets of Temescal, showing off the vibrant culture of the neighborhood. Learn something new at Flying Yoga, where you can incorporate dance, handstands, suspend from the ceiling and more into your yoga routine. Always wanted to make your own scarf? Take a knitting class at Article Pract, which offers weekend classes to both beginners and seasoned pros. Studio One Art Center offers a range of classes to choose from, including ceramics, silkscreen, culinary arts and dance among others. Sign up for a session online. For more to do in Temescal, visit www.visitoakland.org.  

Celebrating Summer Solstice 

The longest day of the year is nearly here. In the Laurel District, the Summer Solstice Music Festival will be held on June 25. Enjoy a variety of music acts, including the Organic Women's Chorus, experimental guitar and electronic music, a youth hip hop group called Youth Roots and more. The annual Garden of Memory  concert on June 21 features dozens of musical acts in the glorious Chapel of the Chimes building designed by Julia Morgan. On the weekend, you can get out on the water with Summer Sailstice. Take advantage of the free boat rentals at Lake Merritt, or join events on the Oakland estuary at Encinal Yacht Club, including boat building, exhibitions, and seminars such as "Pilates for Sailors."