The 10 Best Outdoor Activities in Oakland, California (CA)

April 9, 2022 Milan Banda

Oakland, in the hub of the Bay Area, is both historic and modern. Visitors will find a little bit of everything in this diverse metropolis, from the picturesque waterfront to expansive hills. Explore Oakland's growing arts, entertainment and food scene or enjoy recreational opportunities like hiking, sailing and biking. Root for one of the three professional sports teams or take a tour of a historic landmark. The city is easily accessible through Oakland International Airport, train, automobile, BART, bus and ferry.
Restaurants in Oakland

1. East Bay Regional Park District

Take 80 from Richmond, Oakland, CA 94605 +1 510-635-0135 http://www.ebparks.org/
Excellent
83%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 108 reviews

East Bay Regional Park District

The official designation given to the numerous parks found in Contra Costa and Alameda counties.

Reviewed By TV2451

The parks in the East Bay are immense and beautiful. A total gem to be used and treasured. Lots of recreation opportunities here in the great outdoors. Have a picnic and have fun.

2. French Trail Connector

Oakland, CA
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Located in Redwood Park Skyline Gate, this 6.1 mile trail has been rated as medium to difficult.

3. East Bay Winery Bike Tours

Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

East Bay Winery Bike Tours

Tour several of the East Bay's outstanding wineries by bike. Choose from several routes that explore boutique-style urban wineries. Easy bike riding on safe routes and bike paths led by an expert cyclist who knows wine. Lunch included in the price of the tour. This tour is a green alternative to Napa, and very popular for team-building and other special events.

4. Bay Area Green Tours

Excellent
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Bay Area Green Tours

If you're looking to explore the hidden treasures throughout the Bay Area, allow non-profit Bay Area Green Tours to pique your interests and your palate on our unique tours. Our passionate and knowledgeable guides will take you behind the scenes on interactive strolls, hikes and bike rides featuring organic farms, local markets, parklands, forests and beyond! Experience sustainability in action!

5. Redwood Ranch Stables

5745 Redwood Rd, Oakland, CA 94619-2414 +1 510-531-0262 http://redwoodranchstables.com/
Excellent
100%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Redwood Ranch Stables

6. This Is Oakland Bike Tours

Excellent
100%
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Poor
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5.0 based on 23 reviews

This Is Oakland Bike Tours

Led by a 4th generation Oaklander and educator, This Is Oakland Bike Tours provides small group tours that entertain, inform and tickle the tastebuds. Ride a comfy bike and experience the food, history and culture that makes folks hella love Oakland!

7. Bay Bridge Trail

San Fransisco Bay, Oakland, CA http://baybridgeinfo.org/path
Excellent
60%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 42 reviews

Bay Bridge Trail

Reviewed By ChrisP5652

Fun bike ride up the hill for the family, the couple, or just riding solo. Nice views coupled with a good workout.

8. Oakland Zoo

9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605-4925 +1 510-632-9525 [email protected] http://www.oaklandzoo.org/
Excellent
48%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 703 reviews

Oakland Zoo

Oakland Zoo was established in 1922 and is managed by the Conservation Society of California, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife both locally and globally. The Zoo is home to over 850 native and exotic animals. We're recognized for our outstanding animal care, particularly our elephant care program, and for our Leed-certified, 17,000 square foot, state-of-the-art veterinary hospital—the largest wild animal veterinary facility in Northern California. June 2018 introduced Oakland Zoo guests to an entirely new experience, California Trail, a monumental expansion furthering our commitment to animal care, education, and conservation with a focus on this state’s remarkable native wildlife—both past and present.

Reviewed By Mister-Markie - San Rafael, United States

Is it so very hard to believe we were last here just 9 months ago. Seems like yesterday, yet so much has changed. The family needed a safe, fun place to spend some Thanksgiving calories, so our first choice was the zoo. Luckily, they are open (as of this writing!) and of course using whatever limitations and health routines they can to ensure our safety, the safety of the animals and stay open as much as possible to keep money coming in to this great place. We made an on-line reservation (required - no walk up admission purchases) as they are spacing entrance admissions. We were also limited to members of our household. And, of course, masks for all 3 years of age and older. Parking was easy, and we had no stroller so got in quickly - let the fun begin! As I mentioned, much has changed. Some changes and closures we knew of ahead of time, but others we learned as we went. The main closures we expected were the Adventure Landing (rides and train), the bug house and amphibian house, playgrounds, and the petting area. Surprisingly, the food services (Landing Café, Tuskers Grill, Giraffe Ridge, and food carts) were open, but no indoor seating. We didn't know this so took plenty of drinks and snacks. There is outdoor tables available, and the ones outside the Landing Cafe were being actively cleaned while we rested there, even if no one had been sitting there. The gondola up the hilltop to California Trail was open as well, with cabins being sprayed down between trips (and I saw a commercial fogger at the landing as well) and everybody getting a shot of hand sanitizer before boarding, both up and down. Most animals were accessible, other than those mentioned and areas like the kangaroo area usually accessible by the train. Indoor exhibits were closed as well. There was a good group of people out today, and it was good to see families and energetic kids getting a day of fresh air and animals. Most of the time it was easy to distance, and a few areas were crowded, due to the in-and-out design, such as the elephants, the lions, the warthogs and such, but people did well in general and most of the time we were not even near people! The animals were likewise distancing, and it was elusive time for coyotes, jaguars, mountain lions and black bears - did see a lone grizzly though! I guess I'd sleep in on a cold November morning too - yet here we were! One unexpected pleasure was all the sculptures set up for the zoo's "night lights" offering. TONS of animals and plants all around the zoo, colorful and ready for a dusk display - but they were amazingly beautiful in the daytime as well! A really cool extra treat this visit. Overall we enjoyed the zoo for a little over 2 hours. We visited all that was open, but without rides, playgrounds, petting zoo, indoor exhibits and sit down snack times, it was well under our average four hour visit. But a great day for getting back to a semi-normal day at the zoo. Hope there will be more in coming months - maybe a night visit!

9. Roberts Regional Recreation Area

10570 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619-2449 +1 888-327-2757 http://www.ebparks.org/parks/roberts
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Roberts Regional Recreation Area

Reviewed By Odyssey810418 - Berkeley, United States

Roberts is a great place to have a large party or a family picnic. The parking is easy and Roberts is close to the Chabot Space and Science Center off Skyline Boulevard. The facilities are well-maintained and the Regional Park Staff is helpful and polite. The pool is very popular. It is clean and well-maintained. The lower area is used in the summer by various summer camps; so the summers are crowded during the day. Sometimes the fog hits around the evening so bring layers. Has a play area for kids and and hiking trails off the parking lot.

10051 Doolittle Dr, Oakland, CA 94603-1025 +1 510-569-5555 http://www.playmetro.com
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
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4.5 based on 2 reviews

Metropolitan Golf Links

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