$441,943Average Value$168Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Downtown Oakland neighborhood filled with history and culture
As one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States, Oakland's Chinatown neighborhood boasts nearly 175 years of history and cultural activity. The neighborhood was founded in 1850, shortly after the California Gold Rush, and grew even more in 1906, when the San Francisco earthquake and fire devastated San Francisco's Chinatown. Today, it has dozens of local businesses, community parks and homes, making it less of a tourist destination and more of an authentic slice of Asia in the heart of the Bay Area. "This Chinatown gives more of a historical mixed with up-and-coming vibe," says Wendy Chen, a librarian at the Oakland Public Library, Asian Branch. "It's a relaxed, cozy atmosphere, and people take the time to get to know you."
Overview of Chinatown located in Oakland, CA.
View of street signs in Chinese and English located in Oakland, CA.
View of murals lining the walls of Chinatown located in Oakland, CA.
Lincoln Square is located in Oakland, CA.
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Dozens of authentic Chinatown restaurants and shops
Chinatown is home to about 45 restaurants and nine tea shops, plus several local supermarkets and grocery stores. “Chinatown is a vibrant community with tons of great restaurants. Some have trendy and gourmet food. It’s very active. The streets are always crawling with people,” says Ernest Salinas, a Realtor with eXp Realty and over 20 years of experience. Eateries around the neighborhood offer authentic Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese food. "My friend and I like going to Ming's Tasty—the outside façade doesn't stand out, but everything else does," Chen says. Preserved egg pork porridge and chicken feet Peking sauce are notable dishes here. Chen also recommends local bakeries like Napoleon Super Bakery or Ruby King. Peony Seafood Restaurant is one of the most popular spots in the neighborhood, known for its dim sum and other Cantonese cuisine. Stores like Hometown Grocery, LG Supermarket and Won Kee Supermarket offer meats, Asian produce and other food items. Pacific Renaissance Plaza is home to local bookstores and clothing boutiques. More shopping is south of the neighborhood at Alameda Landing, with stores like Target and Michael's.
New Tin's Market is located in Oakland, CA.
Green Fish Seafood Market in Chinatown is full of freshly caught fish.
Peony Seafood Restaurant is located in Oakland, CA.
Ming’s Tasty restaurant surprises you with unique food selection.
The Pacific Renaissance Plaza in Chinatown is home to the Oakland library and cultural center.
The neighborhood of Chinatown was founded in 1850, shortly after the California Gold Rush.
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Recreation and cultural education at Chinatown parks and the Oakland library
Neighborhood parks and community centers add to the cultural enrichment of the area. Lincoln Square Park has two playgrounds, including one modeled after a traditional Chinese ship. The park also has three basketball courts, which were renovated in 2017 by Golden State Warriors player Kevin Durant. The Lincoln Square Recreation Center hosts activities like Tai Chi, Chinese folk dancing and a Mandarin choir. Wilma Chan Park is named after the first Asian American supervisor in Alameda County. The park has a playground, basketball court and labyrinth. It's also a popular spot for Tai Chi. The Oakland Asian Cultural Center is a local organization hosting art exhibitions and weekly dance, art and music classes. Locals can check out books in several languages at the Oakland Public Library, Asian Branch. The library also has bilingual storytimes, games and clubs. The Oakland Museum of California has a collection of over two million artifacts covering topics like California history, California art and natural sciences. Plus, Lake Merritt and trails around its shores are just northeast of the neighborhood.
The basketball courts in Lincoln Square Park are active all day long.
Locals meet at Lincoln Square Park for chess matches.
Kids play on a structure at the Lincoln Square playground modeled after a Chinese junk ship.
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Cultural events throughout the year in the heart of Oakland
Several events throughout the year help residents experience the culture of Chinatown. The neighborhood has a two-day StreetFest held each August. This free event attracts thousands across the Bay Area for food, activities and live entertainment. The Lunar New Year Bazaar is held each January and highlights Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean traditions. This event is also two days long and includes more entertainment, food and art.
Every January, locals come together for the two-day Chinatown Lunar New Year Bazaar.
Visitors in Chinatown walk past booths selling tasseled Chinese lanterns and ornaments.
Performers dressed in red, bejeweled qipao dresses parade at the Lunar New Year Bazaar.
Traditional Chinese dragons at the Chinatown Lunar New Year Bazaar.
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High-rise condos in Chinatown
Most homes in Chinatown are condos that were built in the late 20th century. They're typically one or two bedrooms and often include a balcony. The buildings frequently feature rooftop patios and private parking garages. Most condos cost between $300,000 and $500,000, and buyers should expect to pay monthly HOA fees of up to $800. There are some single-family houses on the neighborhood's east side. These are typically Victorian or Craftsman row houses from the early 1900s, costing between $700,000 and $725,000.
Many condos in Chinatown have over 10 stories.
Franklin 88 condos are well-known in Chinatown.
Many condo buildings feature small balconies overlooking the city.
On the east side of Chinatown you find Victorian or Craftsman houses.
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A history of excellence at Oakland Technical High
Students in Chinatown might attend Lincoln Elementary School, rated a B-plus by Niche, and Westlake Middle School, rated a C-minus. Oakland Technical High School gets an A rating and serves approximately 1,800 students. The school has been serving the community since 1914 and offers five academic pathways, including engineering, computer science and health. Notable alumni of Oakland Tech include actor Clint Eastwood and athletes Rickey Henderson and Marshawn Lynch. Laney College is a local community college with more than 100 programs in liberal arts, sciences and business.
Lincoln Elementary School is located in Chinatown, Oakland, CA.
The Oakland Technical High School is the oldest high school being established in 1914.
Westlake Middle School offers award winning instrumental music program for students.
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Easy access to other areas in the Bay
Chinatown is a well-connected neighborhood with several transit options. The 12th Street and Lake Merritt BART stations are nearby. Between the two stations, residents have access to all five rapid transit lines, connecting them to the entire Bay Area. AC Transit operates multiple bus routes in the neighborhood for public transit around Oakland and the East Bay. The neighborhood's density makes it a walkable community and there are bike lanes on many streets for those who prefer cycling. Interstate 880 is nearby, connecting the neighborhood to the Bay Bridge to the north and leading south to San Jose. Oakland International Airport is about 8 miles south of the neighborhood. Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center is about 2 miles from the neighborhood.
BART stations can be found in the community.
Asian Health Services is a well-liked facility in the are.
Alameda-Contra Transit (AC Transit) buses frequently make stops in Chinatown.
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Neighbors looking out for each other in Chinatown
Chinatown has a CAP Index crime score of 5 out of 10, slightly higher than the national average of 4. Over the last few years, public safety has become even more of a priority in the neighborhood. "Foot patrol groups like East Bay Toishan Association are made up of community members who help each other throughout the day, whether it's walking people to their cars or helping those who don't know English," says Chen. The Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council holds overnight patrols, and police presence has increased, especially during holidays.
The Lunar New Year Bazaar in Chinatown highlights Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese art forms.
Community members help each other throughout the day in Chinatown.
Locals and visitors enjoy each others company at the Lunar New Year Bazaar in Chinatown.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Howard Kees,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Lafayette Square
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Estuary Park
Soccer
Trails
Multi-Purpose Field
Neptune Park
Trails
Jack London Square Marina Lawn
Boating
Picnic Area
Trails
Lincoln Square Park
Basketball
Tennis
Playground
Estuary Park
Bike Trails
Boating
Trails
Jean Sweeney Open Space Park
Bike Trails
Grills
Picnic Area
Wilma Chan Park
Basketball
Tennis
Trails
Jefferson Square Park
Dog Park
Trails
Playground
Transit
Airport
Metro Oakland International
13 min drive
Subway
Lake Merritt Station
Bus
7th St & Franklin St
Bus
E 10th St & Fallon St
Bus
Oak St & 8th St (Lake Merritt Bart)
Bus
11th St & Harrison St
Bus
Oak St & 10th St
Bus
Harrison Sb
Bus
11th St & Jackson St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Chinatown
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Chinatown Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Chinatown, Oakland sell after 11 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Chinatown, Oakland over the last 12 months is $255,000, up 31% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
423 7th St, Unit 105, Oakland - 1 Bed / 1 Bath - 854 Sqft This stylish 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom condo offers 854 sqft of modern living space in a vibrant Oakland neighborhood. Step inside to find stunning hardwood floors throughout, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The large windows allow for abundant natural light, making the space feel bright and open. The spacious living area is perfect
Beautiful 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo located in the heart of Oakland Chinatown at the desirable Pacific Renaissance Plaza. Enjoy ultimate convenience with restaurants, markets, clinics, banks, and a wide range of services just steps away. Excellent access to public transportation, I-880 & I-980, and a perfect Walk Score of 100! Close to Lake Merritt, Jack London Square, and more. The unit includes 1
This spacious 2-bedroom and 2-bath unit has an open floor plan with high ceilings. It has Pergo flooring throughout and is fitted with air conditioning. The kitchen features a sizable granite countertop perfect for enjoying your meals, a gas stovetop range with all stainless steel appliances. The light-filled bedrooms boast walk-in closets, overlooking the serene courtyard. The master bathroom
Just minutes to Lake Merritt, this condo is in a well maintained complex in the heart of Oakland just Minutes from Chinatown, Jack London Square and BART. Spacious with plenty of natural lighting and 9 foot ceilings. This is a must see.
A modern living apartment community in downtown Oakland. Located in Oaklands thriving downtown, Webster Eleven is a brand new apartment community where people come together to create connections and exchange perspectives. The 12th Street BART is conveniently located just a few blocks away, making it a quick trip to downtown San Francisco, or the rest of the East Bay. With more than 300 modern
This ready move in 1 bed/1bath condo is on the top floor of the Franklin 88 building, with comfortable 9 feet high ceilings living space, located in the heart of Oakland Chinatown/Downtown. A balcony facing a beautiful courtyard for plenty of natural light, making it a perfect place for relaxation. Granite countertops in the kitchen and bath. Kitchen includes refrigerator, gas stove,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Howard Kees,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
4,617
Median Age
53
Population Density
26 ppl/acre
Population under 18
12.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
34.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$28,279
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$64,896
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
75%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
31.5%
Advanced Degrees
12.1%
% Population in Labor Force
53.9%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
22''
Average Winter Low Temperature
45°F
Average Summer High Temperature
73°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
87/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
98/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
88/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
