About Oakland
Oakland, located on the West Coast of California on the East end of the San Francisco Bay is the center of government of Alameda County. As of the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 390,724 making it the 8th largest city in California. Oakland is the principle city of The Easy Bay area of CA which is part of the larger San Francisco Bay Metropolitan Area.
The city’s economy and population saw an increase in the 1860′s when the area was designated as the Western terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad. At the time of the California Gold Rush, the area was mostly used for agricultural purposes due to its fertile land and resources.
Oakland became an important manufacturing city in the early days of automobile manufacturing. GM and Chrysler as well as other companies that once existed built manufacturing facilities in the area and the city was once referred to as the Detroit of the West. While automotive manufacturing activity still exists in the area, additional industries also call the area home. The dot com sector is well represented in the area and many household products originate in the area. The port remains among the top 5 busiest in the US.
The area is one of the most diverse in the US and has been known for political activism. In the late 1980′s and early 1990′s, hip-hop and rap music dominated the local music scene. Artists such as Too Short, Tupac, MC Hammer, Digital Underground and the Luniz to name a few originated from Oakland. Other famous groups like Tony! Toni! Tone!, En Vogue and Greenday got their start in Oakland. The city also made headlines for being the first school district to recognize Ebonics in 1996.
The political powers that be have made downtown and center city re-development a priority over the past 2 decades. Numerous condominiums and apartment buildiings were constructed. The market cooled off during the Financial Crisis of 2007 but occupancy has since rebounded.
Pro Sports Teams
Oakland Raiders (NFL), Oakland Athletics, A’s (MLB), Golden State Warriors (NBA)
Nearby Cities & Towns
Berkeley, El Cerrito, Lafayette, Oakland, Moraga, Alameda Island, Alameda, Pittsburg, Rodeo, Peidmont, Danville, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Alamo Oaks, Clayton, Crockett, Brookshire, San Ramon, Dublin, Orinda, Kensington, Fairfield, Brentwood, Clyde, Albany, Cherryfield, Hayward, San Lorenzo, Fairview, Vallejo, Antioch, Avon, Maltby, Pleasanton, Union City, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Martinez, East Bay
