Oakland is situated across the San Francisco Bay and is a renowned foodie destination that boasts some of the best restaurants, bars, and shops in northern California. The city is home to the Oakland Athletics Major League Baseball team and also has a soccer and indoor football club.

It was not long after the Mexican-American War that the United States took over this area of California. In 1869, Oakland was chosen for the western terminal for the first Transcontinental Railway, which helped it develop as a port.

Over time, it developed into a major port city and became the second-largest city in the United States after New York City, attracting new residents looking to settle in the West. Since it is located near San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego, Oakland became an ideal spot for business and residential development.

Oakland was also the most important shipbuilding hub in the early 20th century, attracting a large labor force.

The city's population doubled to 150,000 in 1906, when many San Franciscans who had lost their homes moved to Oakland. Oakland remains one of the largest cities in the United States, with a population of more than 430,000 in 2019.

Originally settled in 1820 and named after the giant oaks found in the area, Oakland grew dramatically during the 1849 gold rush and was incorporated as a city in 1852.

Oakland has nearly 6,000 acres of parks and recreation centers and recently ranked fourth as an urban destination city in America. If you're looking for museums, the city is home to the African American Museum and Library, the Chabot Space and Science Center as well as the Mountain View Cemetery, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

Today, the city of Oakland considers itself a sustainable city, and the residents are all proud of making it one of the most energy-efficient cities in the United States.