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If you plan to come to Northern California and visit Oakland, there is more than your attractions schedule that you will have to plan. You should also pick the best hotel  in Oakland to make your stay the most enjoyable possible. So to help you make this trip special, here is a list of the best hotels in Oakland, depending on your needs and budget.

The Best Hotels in Oakland – Category Family

When you look for a hotel for your family trip, you need a good location, cable TV, WIFI, a pool if possible, sometime, even a good restaurant so you can eat there, be close to your room to put the kids to bed early to take full advantage of the city the next day! Then, make your reservations to The Executive Inn and Suites in Oakland. This is one of the best hotels for families with in the city.

The Best Hotels in Oakland – Category Budget

On a budget? Why spend it on a hotel you will only sleep in a few hours per night! When you want to take advantage of your trip, you need to find a clean, comfortable hotel. The Quality Inn Oakland is for you! Coffee maker, microwave, mini fridge and TV… you got all you need there! Oh wait, and, there is free breakfast served in the morning, allowing you to save a few more bucks to visit Oakland.

The Best Hotels in Oakland – Category Business

Though a lot of time it is recommended to find a hotel in the business district of the city when you are on a business trip, we think that the Waterfront Plaza Hotel is a wonderful hotel to stay. What can be better to relax after a long day at work than a room with a magnificent view on the water, with all the boats? Many different delicious restaurants surround it, so it’s a great location to plan your business dinner. The rooms have free WIFI, to stay connected. The service it wonderful and the whole place is really nice.

The Best Hotels in Oakland – Category Luxury

Now if you are looking for the top notch of the most luxurious hotels in Oakland, you are looking for The Claremont Hotel Club and Spa. This hotel is already beautiful just from the outside, so imagine the rooms! It’s elegant, classy, it’s an escape to heaven! The spa will allow you to get a complete rejuvenating stay, the service will make you feel like a star, and all the amenities will make your vacation a dream come true! Now that’s a luxury hotel!

So here you go, you got everything you need to plan a fantastic trip to the 8th largest city of California. Come see Oakland soon, don’t wait!

Planning a trip to Northern California is always exciting. It can also be a little expensive. So if you want to enjoy a lot of Oakland, but on a small budget, there are quite a few things you can do for fun, or to relax, that will allow you to see various aspects of Oakland. So here is a list of interesting and fun free things to do in Oakland.

1. Free Thing to Do in Oakland: Walk Around the City

Yes this might sound old school and may be a little simple, but walk around the city. The best way to discover Oakland, is to walk through its streets. It allows you to see details you wouldn’t notice driving by in a car and maybe allows you to discover places you wouldn’t have been able to stop at while driving. It gives a whole different perspective of the city.

2. Free Thing to Do in Oakland: The Regional Park Botanic Garden

Located in Berkley, the Regional Park Botanical Garden is a wonderful place to visit. Each season offers different landscapes with large varieties of plants to discover and admire.

3. Free Thing to Do in Oakland: Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Park

The Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Park is a beautiful park with an amazing geological history. Many gorgeous hikes are available. It is a peaceful place where you can learn a lot about the volcanic history of the region.

4. Free Thing to Do in Oakland: The Joaquin Miller Park

The Joaquin Miller Park is another great park in Oakland offering more hiking and biking opportunities. It is also one of the best places to enjoy a full panoramic view of San Francisco bay. You can also find  the Woodminster Amphitheater and Cascade in the park, which offers every year musicals and concerts. Although most of the shows are not free, some free shows are organized each year.

5. Free Thing to Do in Oakland: Oakland California Temple

Whether you are of the Mormon faith or not, the Oakland California Temple is a beautiful place to visit. This Mormon temple has gorgeous surroundings and is often refer as the most impressive and beautiful Mormon Temple in the US.

6. Free Thing to Do in Oakland: Oakland’s Chinatown

Though you are close to San Francisco and its famous Chinatown, the one in Oakland is very different. It is more authentic, less touristy, and it offers a lot of great dining opportunities. It is a nice area to walk and to discover. It is also just step away from Jack London Square.

Moreover, as mentioned in our previous posts about Oakland, don’t forget about The Chabot Space and Science Center, which offers free nights to use and discover the stars and planets with the 3 reflectors telescopes, and The Lake Merritt Park and Wildlife Refuge, which is a great place to go relax, run or observe birds.
Oakland is also close to San Francisco which also offers a lot of attractions, activities and events for free throughout the year.

Win a Rental Car for Valentine’s Day!

Leave a comment on this post and win one of 3 rental cars for 3 days each on Valentine’s Weekend from Fox Rent A Car!

Fox Rent A Car wants to spread the love and celebrate Valentine’s Day with you! We give away 3 rental cars free of charge for the Valentine’s Day Weekend at any of our 11 locations. Just leave a comment on this blog post with a short description (up to 50 words), how you would use one of our rental cars to make this Valentine’s Day weekend the best experience for you and your partner. What could be more romantic than a road trip with your significant other? Driving on winding roads, stopping at romantic destinations and enjoying some quality time with your loved one. What do you have in mind? Share your ideas with us!

Requirements of participation:

1. Participants cannot be employed by Fox Rent A Car

2. Leave a comment on this blog with a short description (30-50 words), how you would use a rental car to surprise someone for Valentine’s Day

3. Promotion ends on February 5, 2010 at 12.00 PM PST

4. Participants will be notified by email on February 8, 2010 and have to respond within 24 h with their complete contact information. If we do not receive a response within this given period, we will select another winner.

5. Winners will be selected for originality and creativity by the Fox Rent A Car Marketing Department and therefore may be subjective.

6. Available Cars: Economy through Fullsize, Compact, Intermediate and Standard SUVs

7. Fox Rent A Car will give out 3 rental cars to selected winners for a rental period of 3 days. (Fees, taxes, and optional insurance are not covered by the promotion and have to be paid by winner)

8. Pick up date must be anytime from February 11-14, 2010 at any of our Fox Rent A Car locations.

9. Fox Rent A Car Policies apply.

What are you waiting for?

Share your idea and win a free rental car for Valentine’s Day Weekend from Fox Rent A Car!

If you are visiting Oakland you have to plan during your trip a visit at the Chabot Space and Science Center. This Oakland museum is just steps away from downtown and an incredible visit for children and adults.

The Chabot Space and Science Center – Various Exhibits

The museum is full of various exhibits and a lot of hands-on experiments that kids can try out themselves. Kids love to be able to touch and play. It is a great place for them to make new discoveries and engage their minds in various interactive exhibits. The discovery lab is a great way to start especially with your younger kids, as they can learn just by playing and experimenting with the exhibits.

The Chabot Space and Science Center – Education

Visit the Chabot Space and Science Center to get some astronomic education and learn interesting facts about our Milky Way, the stars and far away galaxies. It has an amazing planetarium with great movies to teach you all about the sky. But most of all is offers 3 large telescopes: an 8”, a 20 “ and a 36” refractor, one of the largest in the US, and rarely open to the public. They are open to the public, for free every Friday and Saturday night to give you the opportunity to discover our universe. The Chabot Space and Science Center also offers lectures, given by a space experts and historians. The museum also organizes workshops and conferences to teach groups about diverse subjects such as climate changes, and hosts science fairs.

The Chabot Space and Science Center  – Dinner, a movie and the universe

This Oakland museum offers a great special night: the Dinner, a movie and the universe night. Visit the Chabot Space and Science Center on Friday or Saturday night for an evening full of fun. First you can enjoy a nice dinner served at the museum café. There are schedules at 6 PM and another one at 8 PM. Make sure to make your reservation a week early! Then the movies starts:

First, you watch one astronomy oriented movie on a giant screen, and then after exploring the sky, you watch to a special movie about a certain aspect of the planets. And finally you get to use the 3 famous telescopes and observe the wonders of our universe. However, it is important to check the weather conditions as a clear sky is necessary and in Oakland a bit hard to get in the winter.

The Chabot Space and Science Center is a wonderful place you should not miss when you are in Oakland whether you are adults or with kids, you will find something that interest you and you will have a great time discovering and learning new things!

Northern California Guide for Thanksgiving Restaurants

Thanksgiving is coming soon! Have you planned your Thanksgiving dinner yet? If you are in Northern California or planning a getaway weekend for the occasion, why not go out to celebrate. Here is a guide for great Thanksgiving Restaurants in the bay area.

San Francisco Guide for Thanksgiving Restaurants

If you don’t know San Francisco, or even if you do, it can be difficult to know where to celebrate Thanksgiving. So, to help you out here is a list of Restaurants in San Francisco with special Thanksgiving menus.

Restaurants with a Thanksgiving menu under $40: A great Thanksgiving Restaurant option is Americano Restaurant in Hotel Vitale. They serve a 3 course menu buffet style, with original and tasty dishes, and of course, some good old Thanksgiving turkey!

Restaurants with a Thanksgiving menu under $70: One Market, an excellent restaurant in San Francisco serves a 3 course Thanksgiving dinner with 3 choices per course, and the authentic Thanksgiving turkey, but also diverse dishes for people who prefer something different!

Restaurants with a Thanksgiving menu under $100: One of the most famous restaurants in San Francisco is Carnelian Room. Come enjoy a fine dinning 7 course menu in one of the best restaurant in town. Be sure to make reservations!

San Jose Guide for Thanksgiving Restaurants

San Jose and surrounding cities are part of one of the biggest metropolitan areas of California. There are some good choices in the Silicon Valley for a nice Thanksgiving dinner in a  Restaurant. Here are a few ideas to save you time!

Restaurants with a Thanksgiving menu under $40: what about a French touch to your Thanksgiving dinner? A great Thanksgiving Restaurant in San Jose is Left Bank, a French restaurant. Here they serve a fabulous four course dinner with a great selection of wines to accompany the dishes.

Restaurants with a Thanksgiving menu under $50: In Los Gatos you can find a great Thanksgiving Restaurants serving an amazing 3 course menu at California Café . And if you really don’t want to cook but still eat at home they even offer a Thanksgiving take out menu!

Restaurants with a Thanksgiving menu under $60: Arcadia, is a modern American cuisine restaurant in San Jose, serves a delicious 3 course Thanksgiving dinner. It is a really nice restaurant, very modern, with top-notch service.

Have a great Thanksgiving, and don’t forget to take full advantage of the city while you’re there. San Francisco and San Jose have wonderful sights to discover!

Cheap Show Tickets

So many shows to see, so little time and often a budget that doesn’t allow it… but there are many options online and offline that offer show tickets for a bargain! Whether you want to see a Musical, a Play or rock out at a concert, here is a list of places and websites where you can find cheap show tickets, last minute and whenever you plan your trip!

Cheap Show Tickets in Las Vegas

In Las Vegas you have the choice between 2 main ticket booths to find cheap tickets for shows. On the strip, Vegas Tix 4 Less and Tix4Tonight have desks where you can buy last minutes tickets for Las Vegas shows and sometimes even for half the price you would pay at the box office. Tix4tonight has quite a few locations, so you don’t really have an excuse not to take your girl on a big night out! You can find them in the Showcase Mall, the Hawaiian Marketplace (in front Polo Towers), in front of the Riviera Hotel on the North Strip, the Bills Gambling Hall and Casino, the Four Queens Hotel on Fremont Street -Downtown (it closes at 7pm) and in the Fashion Show Mall across the Wynn Hotel. Vegas Tix 4 Less offers on top of its desk inside the Showcase Mall, a sidewalk kiosk in front of the mall. Another good way to find cheap tickets for shows are the package deals offered by your hotel. Check with Casino Perks as well to find out about “2 for 1″ coupons and save even more.

Cheap Show Tickets in Los Angeles

A great source to find discount tickets to shows in Los Angeles inGoldstar. Although this is an online service you can find cheap tickets to different events, and at a better rate then anywhere else. Another website you should check out is Theater Mania. As this is LA, you won’t find any actual ticket booths in the city. Also be aware of people on Sunset Blvd that want to sell you tickets. A lot of them try to cheat tourists off and sell faked tickets.

Cheap Show Tickets in Oakland

If you don’t mind buying tickets online, ticketloot is a great way to find cheap tickets for shows in Oakland.

Cheap Show Tickets in Orange County

Backpage allows you to find last minute tickets, that are sold by people. Sort of like the Craigslist of Tickets, if you want.  Sometime you can find good prices, if people make the show and don’t want to lose the money completely. Be careful: Do not buy online, this is not a secure website. It’s from people to people.

Cheap Show Tickets in Phoenix

Showup allows you to find discount tickets for shows, and tells you how many are left. They mostly have Art and cultural oriented shows.

Cheap Show Tickets in San Diego

The Art Tix Booth in the Horton Plaza Mall, downtown San Diego is a great place to find cheap tickets for shows, whether it is dance, theater, music, art or performance tickets. You can only by these discount tickets (usually half price) the day of the shows though. It is closed on Mondays, so make sure to check out this kiosk on Sunday if you want to see a Monday show. Note: Atlas Tickets is a great source to check out for last minute or “hard to get” tickets, but you have to pay the regular price!

Cheap Show Tickets in San Jose

For San Jose , like Oakland, Ticketloot is a good source to find cheap tickets for shows.

Cheap Show Tickets in San Francisco

Tix Bay Area, on Union Square, offers half price tickets. You can only go to the booth the day of the show to get half price tickets, though. You can also check out online to see the tickets they offer for the day of the show, but if you do buy it online you have to pick up your ticket at the booth one hour before the show starts. This booth is only open until 6pm from Tuesday to Saturday and until 3pm on Sundays.

Cheap Show Tickets in Salt Lake City

Ticketzoom, Oakwebworks and SongKick are the best online options to find cheap show tickets in Salt Lake City.

Cheap Show Tickets in Seattle

The best way to find cheap tickets in Seattle is through Ticket Window. You can find half price tickets for shows happening the day you visit the booth. Pay in cash and save on service fees. You can also check out the venue online.

You have now a few websites and addresses where to find cheap tickets for shows in different cities. I hope you get to see the show you want at the price you want!

Best Bars and Clubs in Oakland

If you are visiting Oakland, you have a lot too see during the day (check out Things to Do in Oakland, if you don’t). Visit the Farmer’s Market in Oakland, which can be a great way to meet locals and get some true off the beaten path travel tips for your evening plans in Oakland. So after a long busy day you surely want to go out and explore what the nightlife in Oakland, right? Here is a list of the best bars and clubs in Oakland for a night to remember.

Bars/Clubs in Oakland

@17th is a place to be and to see, just for its cool style and decor! When you explore the nightlife in Oakland, this bar/lounge should be on your list. It has friendly bar tenders, stiff drinks and a pretty diverse crowd. @17th is also the place to dance the night away! Enjoy the music and make it a great night out!

Conga Lounge the right place to lay back and imagine you are on a tropical island. The atmosphere is very laid back, with an island vibe to it and great cocktails! Friday and Saturday nights are always a lot of fun at the Conga Lounge; dance all night for no cover… pretty hard to find these days, right! If you go earlier, they have very good happy hour deals, and a very appealing appetizers menu.

The 5th Amendment is another nice bar that regularly features local artists. It gets crowded and noisy on weekends, so it might not be the best place to chat with your friends. People come here for the music.

If you like Latin Jazz stop by Club Anton. This Oakland Club features the best Latin music venue in Oakland. It also offers HipHop and Reggae nights. It is one of the best places in town to swing your hips and dance the night away. The drinks are a little pricey but with the charm of the place, the great sound system, and the venue, it is definitely worth it!

Cafe Van Kleef is the hippie hangout spot. Every night, they have a different band. This eclectic bar has an awesome staff. You will not be disappointed. And if you get hungry after a few drinks and some dancing, it’s your lucky day: At Cafe Van Kleef, you get free food all night long!

Now for the best Rock music venue in Oakland: Uptown beats them all… rock your night away! The bar has quite a large choice of cocktails, and the dance floor is in a separate room so you don’t have to worry about getting bumped into!

Best Bars in Oakland

The new trend in a lot of cities is the opening of all sorts of wine bars. Vine is one of them in Oakland. This loft looking place has a nice selection of wine, and for your dear friends who still don’t like wine, they also have beers on draft. So come try a wine from Chile, they’re the new hip products on the market!

Now for a great beer bar, there is nothing better than a pub, and in Oakland, the best pub is The Trappist. You can find quality beers and a vast beer menu to choose from! They also serve food, and it is delicious, not what you would expect from an “English” pub.

There is not 2 bars alike, but there is definitely no other bar like Heinold’s First And Last Chance Saloon. You’re in for a unique experience. This bar is a bit odd looking, maybe due to the 45 degree angle of the floor – no, you did not drink too much, these are the results from an earthquake; stop on their patio looking over the bay and enjoy a cheap drink and play a good song on the juke box.

So come on, put our party outfit on and have a good time when you explore the nightlife of Oakland!

Shop Local: Farmers Market in Oakland

You are visiting Oakland and need to shop for fresh produce. Do you go to the first super market available? Why not shop local and take full advantage of what the city has to offer and visit the farmers market in Oakland instead… The farmers market is a great way to experience how locals interact with one another and while you shop local you support local businesses as well!

Here  is an overview of the farmers markets in Oakland that you should check out.

Fridays: Old Oakland Farmers Market
This Farmers Market in Oakland is worth the trip just for its location. The Old Oakland Farmers Market takes place in the middle of historic buildings. Even if you are not looking to actually shop, it is a great lunch stop: come enjoy the rotisserie chicken along with a glass of fresh apple juice! You can find here great Chinese, Afghan and Indian food. Make sure to have cash with you though!

Saturdays: Grand Lake Farmers Market
If you are looking for a farmers market in Oakland this should be the one to visit. Every Saturday until 2pm you can enjoy at the Grand Lake Farmers Market a wide variety of fresh products ( fruits, veggies, herbs, flower and already prepared foods), good quality, between a large choice of local vendors. So why go to Costco, when you can sample as many products of better quality, under the bright blue sky and shop local! This is a cash only farmers market.

Sundays: Jack London Square Farmers Markets
This farmers market in Oakland is a great way to enjoy your Sunday morning! While you shop local for fresh fruit and veggies, you can also listen to some live music and contemplate some art and crafts. And when you’re done shopping you can keep enjoying the square. This farmer market is usually less crowded and a bit smaller but with a lot of choices in produce and great sea food. PS : Leave you credit cards at home, and keep in mind that you might get a good deal before they clean up to leave ( around 1:45pm ) but there might be less choice…

Well, now you know where to shop local at the Farmers Market in Oakland… pick your day and enjoy the fresh produce and the ambiance!

Things to Do in Oakland -  See the Sights of Oakland!

So you’re planning a trip to Oakland! You’re wondering what you could do over the next few days in Northern California…. Let me give you a few ideas to help you plan your trip! Following are the most popular and worthwhile places to visit in Oakland.

Zoo
The Oakland Zoo has 4 areas to visit with more than 600 animals to discover. It is great to visit with smaller children since it is a smaller zoo, more accessible to family with younger children. They offer interesting cultural programs teaching kids how to care for the different animals. The 4 acres children’s zoo allows your kids to interact with the animals and learn. You can also participate to the animal feedings sessions.

Museums
The two most popular Museums in Oakland are: The Chabot Space and Science Center and The Oakland museum of California.

The Chabot Space and Science Center, more than just a Science museum, it also offers a planetarium and interactive exhibits. The Ask Jeeves Planetarium and the Tien Megadome Theater offer different shows to watch on 70- foot screens. You can observe the sky at night at the Chabot Observatories and even learn how to make a telescope during telescope workshops offered every fridays.

The Oakland Museum of California is a great place to visit to learn all about the California State history. The museum completely dedicated to the history but also the art and natural sciences of the state. It enables you to get an idea of all the changes endured by California on a human, artistic and scientific level. This museum offers 3 permanent galleries and various changing exhibitions.

Jack London Square
The Jack London Square is the historic area of Oakland offers you an educative visit, a possibility to shop, eat and entertain yourself. You will find in the Square FDR’s Floating White House and the Lightship Relief: Embark for a historic cruise on the Bay of Oakland! During summer nights, outdoor movies are screened.  And all year long different seasonal events are organized from wine tastings to cooking demonstrations and much more. Enjoy being entertained in this charming scenery.

Fairyland
Oakland also offers some fun times for the youngsters, too! After enjoying the shores of the Lake Merritt, why not bring your kids for a little entertainment? This 10 acres park offers attractions and animations  – such as puppet shows, a children theater and small rides – based on story books. This park is mostly recommended for younger children as minimum and maximum heights might limit your possibilities.

Relax/ Sport
The Lake Merritt Park and Wildlife Refuge is situated in Downtown Oakland on the shores of Lake Merritt. This park can be visited as a relaxing stop to get away from the city life. It can also be an educational excursion. The Lake Merritt Park and Wildlife Refuge is home of many different birds species and is often visited to observe and learn about them. And finally the park is also great for sports, providing trails to run but also access to the shores of the lake for sailing or canoeing.

San Francisco
Oakland is also just a bridge ride away from San Francisco and San Francisco is always worth a visit. See the Transamerican Pyramid that gives the Skyline of San Francisco its recognizable look, visit Alcatraz, enjoy some authentic Chinese cuisine or walk along the waterfront from Pier 39 to Fisherman’s Warf!

Enjoy your visit and discover Oakland for yourself! It is a cool city and there is a lot to see!