Summer Concerts in Oakland

Take a break from your busy schedule and enjoy the outdoor concerts in Oakland this summer. Every Wednesday, the City Center hosts free outdoor concerts from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., ranging from Pop/Soul/R&B to latin jazz to blues. Bring your lunch and enjoy the vibrant performances. Head to the hills to see the Woodminster Amphitheatre concerts in Joaquin Miller Park - Oliver will be the musical theater performance in July. In Lakeside Park on Lake Merritt, the Oakland Municipal Band will celebrate their 100th Concert Series, including jazz, pop, contemporary, pop, big band and international performances from 35 musicians. Make sure to mark your calendars for the annual Art & Soul Festival, which will be held August 20 - 21. Past performers have included En Vogue, MC Hammer and CAKE - stay tuned for this year's lineup. For more outdoor concert series, visit www.visitoakland.org/calendar.

Celebrate Oakland Parks

July is a perfect time to explore Oakland's outdoor terrain - it also happens to be National Parks and Recreation Month. The celebration kicks off on the first of the month with a festival on City Hall Plaza, including face painting, jumpers, cultural arts presentations and more. On July 16, enjoy Oakland's water activities with an Open House tour of the Lake Merritt Boating Center. Take advantage of the free boat rentals and take a tour of Coastie, the US Coast Guard's talking safety boat. During the first week of July, honor the waterways with Lake and Reservoir Appreciation Week by taking a dip in Oakland's Lake Temescal or exploring Bay Kayaking with California Canoe and Kayak. Pick out your favorite outdoor activity in the East Bay Regional Parks Activity Guide, including campfire programs at Chabot Campground, photography hikes to shoot the full moon, or bird watching walks through the hills. For more ways to celebrate Oakland's outdoors, visit www.visitoakland.org.

Oakland Hotels Go Green

This summer, take part in sustainable practices by staying in one of Oakland's green hotels. Many destinations in Oakland are California Green Business certified, meaning they have met the standards for factors such as waste and reuse, energy, participation in recycling, indoor air quality, water efficiency and transportation. Hotels who have made the list include the Courtyard Marriott Oakland Downtown, Executive Inn & Suites, Hilton Oakland Airport, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Oakland Marriott City Center and the Waterfront Hotel. The Homewood Suites recently earned an Energy Star Certification, a national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection. To book your stay at one of Oakland's green properties, visit www.visitoakland.org/hotels.