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Photo: Californiathegreat, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A startlingly good museum dedicated to the art, history, and culture of California. The building itself is an admirable piece of architecture, and the exhibits are almost uniformly excellent and engaging. Free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month. One thing to know is that the concrete construction of the building blocks cell signals, so be aware that you will likely lose contact for your stay in the museum.
The Oakland Museum of California or OMCA is an interdisciplinary museum dedicated to the art, history, and natural science of California, located at 1000 Oak Street in Oakland, California. The museum contains more than 1.8 million objects dedicated to "telling the extraordinary story of California."
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With branches in neighborhoods throughout the city (check their website for specific branch locations and hours), the Oakland Public Library hosts numerous public events that make use of their facilities and vast resources.
A large tidal lagoon that is surrounded by parkland and city neighborhoods. A popular 3.1-mile (5-km) walking and jogging path runs along its perimeter and gives you a warts-and-all picture of Oakland: nature, art, culture, and diversity; gleaming skyscrapers and historic rowhouses; but also occasional run-down sections and visible homeless encampments. The lake was the United States' first official wildlife refuge, designated in 1870. In the winter it's a good place for birdwatching, as birds migrating south from Canada and Alaska use it as a rest stop or a winter home. Look for grebes, pelicans, cormorants, hawks, and various types of ducks.
A commercial fine art gallery that showcases the Bay Area's cultural and social diversity. Also hosts artistic events.
Check website for performance dates, venues and tickets.
A modest art gallery focused on the local art, crafts and artists of Oakland, the focus primarily being the urban consciousness of the city.
Special events on weekends.