Oakland Holiday Deals

Holiday In Oakland

What city is so awesome, it has MC Hammer as an official spokesperson, appeared in a Pixar movie and has its own adjective?

The city is Oakland (and the adjective is “Oaklandish”), little brother of San Francisco and home to artists, hipsters and notorious sports fans. An Oakland package is your chance to explore this less-crowded, more-cool version of the “City by the Bay”.

Things to Do in Oakland

A holiday in Oakland is a golden opportunity to create your own scavenger hunt. Search for the “gnomes of Lake Merritt” around the town’s tidal lake, then take a selfie with the Bay Bridge Troll at the bridge entrance. Finally, head over to the Bay Area Thelemic Temple, where you can learn the rituals of this secretive sect and check off the final item on your scavenger hunt list: a piece of cake and a glass of wine. Sound like an awful lot of walking? Look into Oakland car rental deals on lastminute.com.au and scoot around much faster.

You might not think “nature” when you think of packages to Oakland, but its two lakes are the pride of the town. Not that it wants to brag, but Lake Merritt was the first wildlife refuge in the United States. Row, row, row your boat with a rental from the Boating Center, or stick to land on the walking path at night, the "necklace of lights" creates a romantic scene. If that still sounds like too much action, stretch out on the beach at Lake Temescal.

Shopping, Dining & Nightlife

An Oakland holiday’s got enough moustaches, skinny jeans and horn-rimmed glasses to stock a Mumford & Sons concert, but never fear. That just means it’s got awesome shopping too. The Temescal neighbourhood (which is actually not near the lake) is chockablock with vintage boutiques, artists’ studios and handmade jewellery. After all, serious street cred is the best souvenir you can bring home.

When you inevitably start craving steamed dumplings, you don’t have to travel into the big city to hit up Chinatown. Oakland’s got its own, and the food is just as delicious! Grab some takeout or sit down to the full dim sum experience. Not sure what you’re craving, but you know it’s not dumplings? Check out Swan’s Market and the surrounding restaurants in downtown Oakland for a dizzying number of options.

Downtown is also the place to get down. The bars, nightclubs and lounges along Telegraph Avenue know how to get the party started—and keep it going late into the night. If you’d rather class it up, you’ll find live music, performing arts and the Oakland Symphony at the many theatres along the same road. You should also look into San Francisco holiday packages and make the hop across the bay for at least a night or two.

What’s Next?

The West Coast may be the best coast, but Oakland’s got another saying: “East Bay all the way”. We’re sure you’ll agree, but first you have to book one of lastminute.com.au’s cheap Oakland packages. You’ll have plenty of cash left over for adventure—the awesome views and friendly ’tude are free.