West Oakland
Oakland, California Homes for Sale
About West Oakland
Quick Facts
Current Prices: $180,000 to $1,000,000
Closed Prices: $232,000 to $1,342,000
Median Sale Price: $585,000
Average $ per sq ft: $447
Association Fee Ranges: $160 to $1123/mo, $0
Type: Attached Home (Condo, Townhouse, Loft, etc.), Single-Family Home
Age: 1869 to 2021
Sq. Ft.: 614 to 7140 Sq. Ft.
Bedrooms: 0 to 7 Bedrooms
Bathrooms: 0 to 5 Bathrooms
Lot Size: 0 - 1 acres
Around West Oakland
Most residential areas are found at least a block or two from the freeways, with the commercial zones taking up the noisier edges. In some cases, residences and businesses are found on the same block, a holdover from when mom-and-pop shops were common. You'll find a mixture of single and multi-family homes scattered throughout. Some refurbished homes date back to the 1920s, giving West Oakland that vintage feel. Many row homes, most dating back to the mid-20th century, have been fully renovated and turned into condos. Colorful Victorian homes, although a bit rare, sometimes come up for sale in the neighborhood.
Most restaurants are found outside West Oakland's borders. One exception is the Brown Sugar Kitchen on the eastern end of Mandela Parkway. This soul food eatery imports wine from as far away as Africa. West Oakland is within a two-mile drive of downtown Oakland, Chinatown, as well as the restaurants and bars along Telegraph Avenue and Broadway. Locals and visitors can also check out the Jack London Square Farmers Market and the Old Oakland Farmers Market that are nearby for seasonal produce and other farm-fresh goods.
Murals dot the landscape throughout West Oakland, many showing the history of the neighborhood. Even a local gas and food store next to the West Oakland BART station has this type of urban art display with its own comical portrait of a BART train. Other popular murals include narwhales at Poplar and 16th Streets and the Diaspora Dance Mural, showing the varied cultures that first settled in the area. If you're up for a nice long walk, head for the Mandela Parkway, stretching from west to east through the middle of West Oakland. It's actually a median for what was once called Cypress Street. The entire median is now a park, created in memory of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. Once in a while, you'll find a festive carnival held in the park at Mandela and Grand.
Residents tend to travel outside the neighborhood for a night on the town. Jump on the freeway and you'll be in San Francisco before you know it. Or, venture just a few blocks to wine and dine in Oakland's downtown core. Take in a show at the historic Paramount Theater on Broadway. If you're an art lover, visit the Oakland Art Murmur, held on the first Friday of every month, which is a street festival found between Grand and 27th Streets, right along Telegraph Avenue.
Sunday is the perfect day to head out for some outdoor fun at Oakland's signature Lake Merritt Park, roughly two miles away. Visit Children's Fairyland where everything is built to "kid scale" and fairy tale characters come to life. Check out the Nature Center, a small museum at the water's edge, or bring your binoculars to see how many different species of birds you can spot in the area. A running and cycling trail circles the lake, providing plenty of exercise. If you'd prefer dining in style, try the Terrace Room at the Lake Merritt Hotel, a local treasure since 1927. Saturday and Sunday brunch is served in a room with views of the lake and Oakland's city skyline.
Locals Love
- Many small parks
- Easy access to public transportation
- Easy access to freeways
Locals Don't Love
- Traffic
- Lack of nightlife, entertainment, and restaurants
- Freeway noise
Neighborhood Reviews
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