1. This City Has Been Cool Since Forever
The city’s been garnering a lot of attention in the past few years, showing up on lists like “America’s Most Exciting Cities," but residents know that the recent acknowledgment is really nothing new. This city has always been great, it just took some folks a while to catch on.
2. The Dim Sum Is Kind Of The Best Ever
Dim Sum is legendary in Oakland, and the best place to get it lives up to the name: Legendary Palace in Chinatown. The options are endless here: the shrimp dumplings get rave reviews, as do the (slightly more adventurous) chicken feet.
3. This Is The Sunny Side Of The Bay
San Francisco is famous for its rainy days and thick blanket of fog, whereas Oakland prides itself on more cheerful weather. You're more likely to experience some of that famous California sun on the east side of the bay.
4. The Vintage Shopping In Oakland Is Better Than Pretty Much Anywhere Else
Folks in San Francisco wish their vintage stores rivaled Oakland’s—or that their prices were even remotely as reasonable. There are tons of great thrift and vintage shops in Oakland, including Pretty Penny, Mercy, Rare Bird, and Vintage Capital.
5. Don’t You Dare Ask Oaklanders If They’re From San Francisco
Oakland may be a quick ride to San Francisco, but it’s not a subset of the city next door. Although some people do live in Oakland and commute, this city is rooted in its own culture and creative expression—for instance, the world-renowned local hip-hop scene, and the annual Oakland pride parade.
6. When Oaklanders Have Late-Night Cravings, They Hit Up Home Of Chicken And Waffles
An Oakland institution, Home of Chicken and Waffles is home to, well... you kind of get the gist based on the name. If for some crazy reason you’re not a fan of this classic soul food combination (or you’re a vegetarian), check out their equally delicious mac and cheese.
7. Yeah, People Say “Hella” In Oakland, But They Say It All Over The Bay Area
You’ll hear people say “Hella Awesome,” in Oakland, along with some other Northern California-specific phrases (“fasho” is Bay Area for “for sure”) but the phrase “hella” isn’t unique to the city. That said, you may see some folks rocking their “I Hella Heart Oakland” t-shirts. Those are pretty city-specific.
8. When Someone Refers To San Francisco As “The City,” It’s Just Rude
Look, it’s not like the people of Oakland don’t know that San Francisco is more famous and populous. But that doesn’t make Oakland less of a city, and referring to San Francisco as “the city,” as though it’s the real one of the two, is only going to garner you side-eye from locals.
9. You’ll Need To Know How To DIY If You Want To Make The Cut
The volunteers at the Rock Paper Scissor Collective offer everything from zines to jewelry-making classes to bike-maintenance workshops to terrarium design. Whatever your interest, you can learn how to DIY it here.
10. San Francisco Doesn’t Have A Lockdown On Fresh California Food
Fresh, local food is important in Oakland, and the city's many farmers’ markets promote that spirit throughout the area. You can check out the Old Oakland Farmers' Market on Fridays, Grand Lake on Saturdays, and Montclair on Sundays, among others.
11. For Oaklanders, Diversity Is Way More Than A Buzzword
One of the most ethnically diverse cities in the United States, Oakland is a center of the African-American community in California. The city has a reputation for being progressive, is home to many LGBTQ families, and has the nation's largest proportion of female couples.
12. You Don’t Need To Make Reservations Weeks In Advance
Unlike the city across the bridge, reservations aren’t really necessary here, and the food is just as good as it is in San Francisco. Most of the wait times are under an hour, which is kind of amazing comparatively.
13. Oakland Is Kind Of Massive
There are lots of neighborhoods within Oakland and some are very different from each other. After all, the city of Oakland is absolutely huge: 78 square miles, compared to San Francisco’s scant 49.
14. You’re Welcome For “Forrest Gump,” “Dirty Harry,” And “Fist Of Fury”
Oakland may not be the city most strongly associated with the performing arts in California, but the truth is that tons of actors and musicians hail from the city: Tupac Shakur, Tom Hanks, Clint Eastwood, Bruce Lee, Keyshia Cole, and Sly Stone all came from Oakland.
15. Oaklanders Are Anything But Passive
Oakland has historically been a central point of many progressive causes, and its activist roots continue as an important part of the culture today, as groups engage in anti-oppression activism and environmental activism. The community in Oakland is very engaged, aware, and willing to take a stand.
16. San Francisco Is Only Deceptively Close (At Least In The Daytime)
It looks like you’re super close to neighboring San Francisco, but in rush hour, that five-mile trip over the Bay Bridge can take upwards of 90 minutes. At night, however? A much more reasonable 15. Adventures need to be timed wisely.
17. Trapeze School Is Totally Normal
What, your town doesn’t have a full-time circus school? Trapeze Arts is an academy for both children and adults, teaching the joy and technique of the flying trapeze and other circus arts, including aerial arts, Chinese acrobatics, trampoline, and contortion.
18. The First Friday Of Every Month Is Reserved For Art Murmur
First Fridays are common enough in most cities, but most cities don’t go all out with it the way Oakland does. Galleries throw open their doors, food trucks flood the streets, vendors sell locally-made jewelry, clothing, and crafts, and the whole community comes together over art and culture. It's kind of the best.
19. The Volcanic Preserves’ Labyrinths Is The Best Place To Take Your Dog For A Walk
So that might sound like a line from a science fiction novel, but East Bay residents really enjoy hiking around Round Top Volcano in the Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. There are gravel trails, as well as a couple of mysterious labyrinths sprinkled throughout, just for a little extra odd fun.
20. “There Is No There There” Does Not Mean What You Think It Means
The famous line from Gertrude Stein has been repeatedly misquoted as a slam against Oakland, her hometown. However, the famous author was actually talking about her distress in finding that her childhood home had been destroyed when she returned years later, not about Oakland's appeal.
21. Oakland Can Double As Venice If You Squint Really Hard
Okay, maybe the architecture is a little different from that of The Floating City, but Lake Merritt offers really fun gondola rides, so if you can't afford a vacation to Italy, you can at least capture the sensation of drifting around the canals.
22. The New Parkway Theater Is Better Than Any Theater You’ve Ever Been To
This place offers a great combination of new movies, cult favorites, and fan-requested films, plus they encourage you to drink a beer and have a snack while you do it. And it’s not your typical movie theater fare: these guys offer natural, locally-sourced, and extra delicious food.
23. Coffee Is Serious Business Here
Famous coffee company Blue Bottle is headquartered in Oakland, and they keep the bar set high for residents. While they’ve become bicoastal (Blue Bottle is taking over Brooklyn, too) Oakland is their home, and they offer free public cuppings on a weekly basis.
24. Weekends In Oakland Usually Involve Hiking Or Biking With Friends
Oakland Urban Paths offer group hikes, and the East Bay Bike Party is a monthly riding event anyone is welcome to attend. Favorite local destinations include the botanical gardens and Redwood Regional Park.
25. Zachary’s Chicago Pizza Is Actually Better Than Chicago Pizza
Those are fighting words to anyone from the midwest, but they’re also the truth: Zachary’s makes the best Chicago-style pizza. They've got deep dish, stuffed, thin crust, you name it, and they are better than anything you've ever tried before, bar none.
26. The Kingfish Is The Best Place To Go For A Beer
Calling itself “a small bar with a big heart” is an understatement. The Kingfish is a local gem, a dying breed of welcoming, warm joints that deserve to be patronized. Oh, and if you want to bring your pup along with you, nobody will raise an eyebrow.
27. In Oakland, You Can Hang Out With Elephants Whenever You Want
Okay, maybe that’s a slight overstatement, but you really can watch the elephants enjoy their breakfast any morning of the week at The Oakland Zoo, and twice a year you can help feed them yourself at the Feast for the Beasts exhibit.
28. Oaklanders May Be In The Middle Of A Big City, But They Can Still Watch The Stars
The Chabot Space and Science Center offers complimentary admission to the Observatory Deck on Friday and Saturday nights, so anyone can go and be awed. They also offer great events for children and adults, from night hikes to exploratory classes.
29. Everett and Jones Barbeque Is Everything
It doesn’t matter if you’re from Kentucky or Tennessee or Georgia or one of the Carolinas or anywhere else that claims to make really stand-out barbeque, you have to try Everett and Jones. This staple offers great music, incredible food, and a warm community atmosphere.
What do you have to explain to out-of-towners about Oakland? Tell us in the comments below! 
