Downtown Oakland

Downtown Oakland

Oakland, California Homes for Sale

About Downtown Oakland

The boundaries of the Downtown Oakland area tend to fluctuate depending on who you ask. The general consensus outlines the neighborhood as Lake Merritt to the east, Interstate 880 to the south, Castro Street to the west, and Grand Avenue to the north. Architectural styles vary, running from ultra modern structures in and around the financial district to vintage properties found near the shores of Lake Merritt. Nearby Lakeside Park gives the downtown neighborhood some refreshing greenspace, providing residents with a picturesque retreat just a few blocks away from the city center.

Quick Facts

Current Prices: $395,000 to $895,000

Closed Prices: $321,000 to $3,070,000

Median Sale Price: $660,000

Average $ per sq ft: $688

Association Fee Ranges: $360.1 to $754, $234 to $1370/mo

Type: Attached Home (Condo, Townhouse, Loft, etc.), Single-Family Home

Age: 1895 to 2008

Sq. Ft.: 343 to 7956 Sq. Ft.

Bedrooms: 0 to 10 Bedrooms

Bathrooms: 0 to 7 Bathrooms

Lot Size: 0 - 1 acres

Around Downtown Oakland

In downtown, you'll find a variety of home styles, including condos, apartments, and single-family homes. Areas closest to the financial and business districts tend to have more multi-unit buildings than single-family properties. Some modern developments overlooking Lake Merritt offer scenic views. As you get closer to Grand Avenue, Downtown Oakland takes on a more residential vibe.

Restaurants in Downtown Oakland offer everything from authentic Chinese fare to southern-style soul food. It's also the place to find craft breweries, local coffee shops, and elevated ice cream parlors. If you prefer shopping locally and cooking at home, you'll find Old Oakland Farmers' Market in the southwest corner of the neighborhood or head west on Interstate 880 and you'll find the Jack London Square Farmers Market.

Walk almost anywhere in Downtown Oakland and you're within a few blocks of Lake Merritt. You'll also find the Oakland Museum of California, a modern-style building with beautiful displays of art as well as exhibits that showcase the natural world. Head toward the lake and find the Camron-Stanford House, a 19th century mansion that became Oakland's first museum. Fully restored, it adds an elegant Victorian touch to the city's impressive skyline.

You have endless choices of eateries and pubs in the downtown core, but one thing residents cherish is the First Friday Oakland Art Murmur. In the evenings on the first Friday of the month, art galleries and other venues host receptions with street vendors selling an assortment of treats. Still hungry? Chinatown is just a few blocks south. Another Friday night treat is a visit to the Paramount Theater. Sporting 1930s Art Deco architecture, the Paramount is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Pack a picnic lunch and head to Lake Merritt Park. Bird watchers of all ages keep track of more than 70 species of birds that live here full time or during seasonal migrations. Take a quiet stroll through the Lakeside Gardens, which is along the waterfront. Walk down paths that lead you to Japanese gardens and a bonsai collection, cactus gardens, and colorful patches of wildflowers. For a real taste of local history, check out the Terrace Room, a 1920s Art Deco supper club that offers Saturday and Sunday brunch with scenic views of the lake. The eatery is located in the Lake Merritt Hotel, which was built in 1927 and is listed as a historic landmark.

Locals Love

  • Vibrant nightlife and restaurant scene
  • Open green spaces
  • Excellent public transportation

Locals Don't Love

  • Noisy city life
  • Heavy commuter traffic
  • Hard to find parking

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