Southern California Off the Beaten Path, 8th: A Guide to Unique Places (Off the Beaten Path Series)

The Southerners, both black and white, brought with them racial tensions and segregationist expectations — a new thing to peaceful, diverse Oakland. Now the poor whites who had moved to Oakland seeking jobs were outraged that the residents of color, who had lived in Oakland without Jim Crowe laws or restrictive housing policies for their entire lives, expected a respectful equality between the races.

Martin Luther King Junior. The effects of those years, and of that swift and harsh response to the drug addiction epidemic that was allegedly tied and even funded by the CIA , can still be seen today. So, what about now?

Is Oakland finally experiencing its happily ever after? Skyscrapers are emerging all over downtown, housing prices have shot up into the stratosphere, and longtime Oakland residents find themselves facing the effects of rapid gentrification and in many cases, are unable to afford living in their own homes. And you cannot love Oakland without acknowledging the important role it has always played in radical social justice movements.

Oakland has quietly been a mecca for people of color for as long as San Francisco has been a mecca for entrepreneurs and inventors. But those incidents are outmatched and outnumbered by the positivity, love, acceptance, and pride that I see each day here in Oakland. The history of the USA has played out on the streets of Oakland time and time again.

Be prepared to face the inner racist you may not have realized you had and swallow some uncomfortable truths. Race relations are crazy right now. Let your smile send a message.

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The Oakland of today feels like a lightning rod for the social justice movements emerging throughout our country, ready to fight. You can feel it walking through the streets, admiring the street art, tasting local flavors. The history of Oakland is deeply rooted in social justice, and so is its present day. Like its neighbor across the Bay, each Oakland neighborhood has a completely distinct flavor, scene, vibe, and culture. Oh hiiiii Lake Merritt! A post shared by The Bold Italic thebolditalic on Aug 5, at 4: The 3-mile wide lagoon is home to the oldest designated wildlife refuge in the United States, but today the lake feels more urban than natural.

There are several ways to enjoy Lake Merritt.

Here are our favorites:. Did you know there are stunning, towering redwood groves just a few minutes away from downtown Oakland? Think you have to drive an hour north to Muir Woods to get your redwood fix? Yes, I said one of: Despite being only a few minutes away from Downtown Oakland and quite close to civilization, the parks are peaceful and quiet: Head to a staging area and pick a trail or several from the helpfully provided park maps to explore these stunning parks.

The Scenic Redwood Loop is a 4-mile hike that offers everything from valley floor streams and ferns to scenic overlooks and plenty of redwoods, of course. For more information about these hikes, check out our guide to the best hikes near San Francisco! The Oakland Athletics are rooted in Oakland, and Oakland loves them back!

However, there is one Oakland sports team that is NOT leaving us, one that stays proudly loyal to Oakland, and one who we absolutely adore in return: Local to Oakland since hey, happy 50th anniversary! A guy in a Snitch costume ran around the field. Oh, and an ice cold beer, of course!

San Francisco Off the Beaten Path: Travel Guide

Ah, the taste of summer. Eating your way through town is one of the best ways to get to know Oakland! Is there any better way to get to know a place? If you only have a couple of days, we recommend taking a food tour to help you make a dent. A post shared by Oakland Cocktail Week oaklandcocktailweek on Aug 6, at 4: Like, did you know the Mai Tai was invented in Oakland? There are over murals in Oakland. Hunting down street art is one of our favorite things to do in Oakland.

Interesting and 'off the beaten track' places to stay in CA? - California Forum

You can find this beautiful example of Oakland love at the Oakland Marriott City Center, right in downtown! Save your change for something useful, like those delicious seasonal drinks and snacks from konbini! Even if you have it back at home, chances are that the Japanese have subtly made it their own.

McDonald's, for example, offers Japan-exclusive items and tastes different! Check out the up-and-comings here! For all you punkers and hardcore fans, visit Earthdom for all your raucous music needs.

This basement joint also has a second room attached for when the crowd is too rough for ya! A successor of the inimitable Shelter, Fever attracts as many international artists as it does local groups, and is a solid pick for live music in Tokyo. Good food at Popo, too!

Southern California Off the Beaten Path: A Guide to Unique Places by Kathy Strong

Heaven's Door is another great venue for indie bands and has a close-knit family-like atmosphere. Acts are handpicked and remain regulars for a long time so expect top quality. Ranked 1 of 2 things to do in Hibiyakoen. Certificate of Excellence Remember to take a photo with the life-size statue of the robot from Hayao Miyazaki's animated film, "Castle in the Sky," on the top floor of the museum! Ranked 2 of 60 things to do in Musashino. Met a man who was "walking his owl" to socialize him.

• Mission District!
• Top Authors!
• Lost Dreams.

Ranked 27 of things to do in Shinjuku. Check out the indoor theme park Namja Town at Sunshine City! Get cultured and attend a classical music, ballet, or theatre performance! Ranked 6 of things to do in Toshima. Weekends and holidays are popular with families, who huddle at the edge of the pond's wooden bridges to fish for crayfish. Try your hand at it, too! Due to its quiet and intimate atmosphere, this is a great place to come alone, with family, or with a loved one. Ranked 6 of things to do in Bunkyo.

Another signature item sold in Sugamo is shio-daifuku salty-sweet rice cake filled with bean-paste , so stock up on those, rice crackers, and monaka bean-jam-filled wafers. Ranked 7 of things to do in Toshima.

A Guide to Unique Places, Eighth Edition

You'll want to buy tickets well in advance, especially if you wish to attend a real tournament fight. Check out the stadium's website for more details and to purchase tickets! As with many sports, it may be a little difficult to truly understand what's going on. Connections are everything here! Ranked 1 of things to do in Sumida. Best part of our holiday!

Try all of the different themed restaurants that you can find! Ranked 1, of 5, restaurants in Shibuya. Disneyland isn't just for kids! In fact, most guests tend to be young men and women. Believe it or not, but taking your crush on a date to Tokyo Disney is considered very romantic! Ranked 2 of 25 things to do in Urayasu. TripAdvisor LLC is not responsible for content on external web sites.

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