Visit Oakland

481 Water Street 94607

Why Choose Our Destination?

Why Choose Oakland, CA? Take your meeting someplace different. For meeting professionals, Oakland is the perfect creative incubator and provides a unique destination and memorable experience for your event. Oakland challenges old ideas, creating state-of-the-art innovation. Savor our trendy culinary scene, immerse yourself in our vibrant arts and nightlife and soak up the proactive spirit Oakland is known for. Let’s meet. For real. Real Community. With over 125 languages spoken within the city, Oakland is one of the most diverse cities in the country. This inclusivity is infused throughout the city, within the culinary scene, arts and music, attractions and local businesses. Attendees will look forward to their time outside of the conference to explore the city’s walkable neighborhoods, and experience the vibrant culture and welcoming energy of the community. Real Access. One of the city’s prime assets as a meetings destination is its location and accessibility. Oakland is located only 12 minutes from San Francisco, 40 minutes from Napa Valley and 40 minutes from Silicon Valley, with three international airports nearby. Oakland International Airport (OAK) is very convenient and offers 55 international and domestic nonstop flight destinations. The city also offers public transportation options by train, boat, bus, rideshare or bike. Real Spaces. With 5,000 rooms in Oakland, the city is great for small to large sized meetings. Oakland will be welcoming seven new hotel properties by 2021, bringing around 1,000 additional hotel rooms to the city. The Oakland Convention Center is connected to The Oakland Marriott City Center, offering 100,566 square feet of meeting space and 500 guest rooms. The city also offers unique meetings spaces from The Landing Cafe, located at the Oakland Zoo by aerial gondola and boasting panoramic views of the Bay Area; to the Esports Arena Oakland, a 16,000 square foot modular tech facility. Real Simple. The Visit Oakland Sales Team makes contracting for your next conference or meeting a breeze and operate as a meeting planner’s destination expert, offering services from effective and avoidable dates for meetings; sourcing hotel and overflow rooms; vendor referrals (transportation, offsite venues, team building); nonprofit referrals for corporate social responsibility programs; local destination experts (speakers for conferences); restaurant dinning referrals; local official resources (city closures, permits, etc.); curate incentives for strategic partners; and much more. The Visit Oakland team’s services make it seamless for planners to book their programs in Oakland.

Distance from airport

  • OAK

    9 mi. from city center

  • SFO

    22 mi. from city center

  • SJC

    32 mi. from city center


Local Attractions

Oakland Ale Trail

Recreation
Oakland’s brewers are rooted in the spirit of the city’s earliest manufacturers, but this new breed of makers is developing flavor and style combinations that are making them stand out in the increasingly crowded world of American craft beer. The Oakland Ale Trail, developed by Visit Oakland in collaboration with a variety of partners from Oakland’s craft beer industry, celebrates the strength of the Oakland’s craft beer community. Grab your passport and go! Visit all of Oakland's brewery taprooms and earn a free Oakland Ale Trail branded growler!

Fox Theater

Theater
The Fox Oakland Theater, operated as a first-run movie house from 1928 until 1962. Today it hosts concerts by various recognizable artists and is one of the hottest venues in the Bay Area.
1807 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA, US

Oakland Urban Wine Trail

Nightlife
A trip to Oakland isn’t complete without tasting a little local flavor. Like everything else in Oakland, our wine scene is a little different. Oakland’s urban wineries are housed in renovated warehouse spaces, but the wine quality is second to none. Being so close to California wine country doesn’t hurt either, grapes are sourced from all over the state. Head out on Oakland’s Urban Wine Trail, stopping along the way to shop, eat, and explore all that Oakland has to offer.
481 Water St.
Oakland, CA, US 94607

East Bay Regional Parks

Park
The oldest and largest regional park system in the country is celebrating its 80th birthday this year. A number of the 65 parks are located in The Town so get out and go for a hike, grab your mountain bike or just explore the Redwoods.

Oakland Zoo

Park
Nestled into the Oakland Hills you’ll find African Lions, tigers, and elephants. This zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation and education.
9777 Golf Links Rd
Oakland, CA, US

Chabot Space and Science Center

Museum
The 86,000-square-foot center houses the largest public telescope in the United States, a 230-seat planetarium, and the large-screen Tien MegaDome theater. There are also numerous hands-on science and technology exhibits.
10000 Skyline Blvd
Oakland, CA, US

Children’s Fairyland

Museum
It’s said to be Walt Disney’s inspiration for Disneyworld, but that’s not why we love this storybook come to life. Whimsical storybook sets, gentle rides, friendly animals and inspired live entertainment is what keeps us coming back for more.
699 Bellevue
Oakland, CA, US

Morcom Rose Garden

Park
If Lake Merritt is the jewel then the Rose Garden is the hidden gem. Thousands of exotic roses are in bloom from May – October providing truly beautiful photo opportunities.
700 Jean St
Oakland, CA, US

Convention Centers

  • Oakland Convention Center

    Oakland Convention Center is located in the heart of the largest urban center on the East Bay CA. Featuring 64,000 square feet of convention, exhibit, social gathering and meeting room space, our professional staff offers unparalleled service.

    • Exhibit Space45,000 sq. ft.
      Total meeting space100,566 sq. ft.