1. Lake Merritt

One of the first things you'll hear people talking about in Oakland is Lake Merritt. It's an Oakland landmark and an undeniably beautiful place to enjoy the outdoors! Imagine strolling around a parkland with luxuriant trees and expensive lawns. And then you find yourself at the Lakeside Park, where acres of breathtaking gardens welcome you. You'll never want to go back indoors! Lake Merritt is a 140-acre lake known as one of the country's first official wildlife refuges. It has been a National Historic Landmark since the 1960s, allowing locals and visitors to explore and appreciate its natural beauty. Apart from relaxing and just taking breaths of fresh air, you can enjoy the place in many other ways.Take your pick: canoes, row boats, sailboats, or kayaks. You can race with your family or go fishing! The place also has areas for jogging and other physical activities. Lake Merritt can undoubtedly wake up the athlete in you. And if you'd instead rather take it slow, you can always have a romantic picnic by the lake while enjoying the stunning views.

2. Jack London Square

‍Jack London Square is another place people won't forget to mention when you ask about Oakland. It's legendary! Jack London Square is a historic neighborhood where famous American author Jack London once worked. Have you read The Call of the Wild (1903) or White Fang (1906)? Yes, that's him! So how do you enjoy the waterfront? Apart from knowing that you're standing on the same ground as a literary icon? There are tons of things to do! Over the years, Jack London Square has become a center for entertainment and business. You'll never run out of dining experiences and live music events.If you can handle even more historic vibes, go see the USS Potomac vessel docked at 540 Water Street. Franklin D. Roosevelt used it as a presidential yacht from 1934 to 1945, and it's now open for tours. And if you're a foodie, you can catch the Jack London Square Farmers' Market on Sundays!

3. Redwood Regional Park

Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt and her preservation efforts in the 1930s are the reason we still have Redwood Regional Park today. Cleared by logging for timber in the mid-1800s, the park was in danger of being lost forever. Now, it's a second-growth forest after its regeneration and reopening in 1939! You can find the Redwood Regional Park a few miles outside downtown Oakland. If you're wondering what you can find there, it's nothing less than redwood groves that will remind you of nature's magnificence.The sights and smells of the forest will give you a much-needed break from city life. The redwoods stand 150 feet tall. Playing amidst these beauties, you can find squirrels, rabbits, deer, and some rare species, too. It's a great place to go for a hike, especially if you want to challenge yourself with the trails. And don't worry! The park has well-groomed paths and detailed maps.The Redwood Regional Park has got to be a haven for nature lovers. The landscape is otherworldly, and it would be difficult not to be inspired by the area's natural beauty.

4. Oakland Zoo

A visit to the zoo is always a great way to know more about a place's wildlife. The Oakland Zoo is home to over 800 species, and you'll find them right in their natural habitats. The zoo has an Australian outback, African savanna, and tropical rainforest! The Sky Ride takes you above the African savanna, and you will see elephants, zebras, and giraffes. You can also get up close and personal with some of the animals at the Wayne and Gladys Valley Children's Zoo! Take your kids and watch animal feedings or pet some friendly farm animals. Apart from the wildlife experience, the Oakland Zoo also has park rides like carousels, trains, and roller coasters. This place never falls short of outdoor activities!

‍5. Morcom Rose Garden

Being outdoors is really just about being one with nature. And Morcom Rose Garden joins the list of great places to enjoy Oakland's great outdoors! This city-owned garden has over 6,000 bushes of roses. Whatever color and variety you can think of, the Morcom Rose Garden has it. Roses are in bloom from May through October. If you're in Oakland in springtime and early summer, the Morcom Rose Garden will show you what it’s like to be surrounded by a sea of roses. You might even forget that you're in the middle of a city! The garden is perfect for a romantic picnic or a stroll with family and friends. After all, you deserve even just a day from all the hustle and bustle of city life. Smell the honey and fruit notes of roses, and marvel at the colors that seem straight out of a fairytale.

‍Make the Most of Your Time in Oakland!

These are just five of the best outdoor activities in Oakland. You can soak up the sun, take in the fresh air, explore, and have fun in the city! And to keep you comfortable after a long day outdoors, Executive Inn & Suites offers a cozy and convenient place to stay.

Exploring Oakland and all it has to offer is an exciting adventure. You'll need all the energy you can get, and Executive Inn & Suites is more than happy to help you with that! We are on the sunny side of the Bay Area, eager to give you the best accommodation experience in Oakland. Five minutes from Downtown Oakland and 15 miles from San Francisco, Executive Inn & Suites is your perfect home away from home.

Whenever you're ready for the outdoor experiences in Oakland, we are ready for you. Book now!