The Atlas Obscura Guide To

Oakland

25 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Oakland, California

Unusual
Attractions
in Oakland

Chapel of the Chimes

Oakland, California

Chapel of the Chimes

Julia Morgan's Moorish-Gothic labyrinth of fountains, trees, natural light and Oakland's notable dead.

37.8315, -122.2460

Added by Annetta Black

Lake Merritt Bonsai Garden Entry

Oakland, California

Lake Merritt's Bonsai Garden

Bonsai garden in Oakland is curated by the first non-Japanese female bonsai master in the United States.

37.8073, -122.2590

Added by elinar

Heinold’s First and Last Chance 2007. (Wikimedia Commons)

Oakland, California

Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon

Dive bar built out of the remains of a whaling ship.

37.7938, -122.2746

Added by brettyoung

Oakland, California

Mazzariello Labyrinth

Spiral labyrinth hidden in the hills above Oakland, CA.

37.8524, -122.1954

Added by lisaemily

The four modest plaques that hold the names of the dead

Oakland, California

Jonestown Memorial

The memorial to the victims of the Jonestown Massacre carries the names of 918 lost, including one name people wish wasn't there.

37.7711, -122.1776

Added by Rachel

Toking atop a mushroom

Oakland, California

Children's Fairyland

This Oakland fairytale kingdom, fiercely devoted to childlike whimsy, was an early inspiration for Disneyland.

37.8087, -122.2589

Added by Rebecca Burgan

The altar in the temple.

Oakland, California

Bay Area Thelemic Temple

A temple devoted to inner esoteric mysteries located in a California commercial strip.

37.7965, -122.2651

Added by cinapelayo

Oakland, California

Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate

Neoclassical Revival mansion and set of horror cult classic Phantasm.

37.7443, -122.1441

Added by TrevorShawnElia

See All 25 Things to Do in Oakland See All 25 Places

Atlas Obscura Trips

Dark Skies, Desert Beasts: A Night Photography Workshop in Borrego Springs, California

May 2—May 5, 2019

Journey deep into the desert of Southern California to explore and photograph the Dark Sky Sculptural Oasis of Borrego Springs.

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