25 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Oakland - Atlas Obscura

Unusual
Attractions
in Oakland

Oakland, California

Chapel of the Chimes

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

Annetta Black

Added by Annetta Black

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.

elinar

Added by elinar

Oakland, California

Mazzariello Labyrinth

Spiral labyrinth hidden in the hills above Oakland, CA.

Added by lisaemily

Oakland, California

Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon

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

Added by brettyoung

Oakland, California

Children's Fairyland

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

Rebecca Burgan

Added by Rebecca Burgan

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.

Rachel

Added by Rachel

Oakland, California

Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate

Neoclassical Revival mansion and set of horror cult classic Phantasm.

TrevorShawnElia

Added by TrevorShawnElia

Oakland, California

Bay Area Thelemic Temple

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

Added by cinapelayo

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Unique
Food & Drink
in Oakland

Cemetery Wine

Gastro Obscura

Cemetery Wine

Bishop's Vineyard makes its products from grapes grown in California graveyards.

Gastro Obscura

rachelrummel

Added by rachelrummel

Are we missing a unique food or drink in Oakland?

Atlas Obscura Trips

Moonlit Ghost Towns: Night Photography in Death Valley

Tim Cook

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Blenheim Apricot	9 August 12, 2019	913	August 12, 2019
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad	6 August 03, 2019	1049	August 03, 2019
Burning of Zozobra	3 June 28, 2019	982	June 28, 2019
Mazzariello Labyrinth	3 July 10, 2019	603	July 10, 2019
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Stories
About Oakland

Behold: a minty-fresh monster.

Oakland's Favorite Monster Is Back—and Greener Than Ever

A restoration project has given a once-iconic sculpture a new lease on life.

by Sabrina Imbler

A design for the rebooted Doggie Diner that Atchley hopes to build.

The Quest to Revive the Bay Area's Fabled Doggie Diners

One man is determined to get these giant dachshunds smiling down on customers once more.

by Matthew Taub