Wedged between the city center and Interstate 880, it could be easy to lump Old Oakland in with the rest of downtown. But this historic neighborhood is its own distinct community. “It’s right in the heart of what we call downtown Oakland, which is adjacent to the city government buildings. But it truly is one of the original neighborhoods of Oakland. It has a very clear neighborhood vibe,” says Stephen Bloom, a broker with the BloomHomes Team at Bay Area Portfolio KW, who has over 20 years of experience. This neighborhood was established in the 1860s as the city center and featured several restaurants, stores and hotels. Downtown eventually expanded north, leaving behind its original location. In the 1960s, developers began to take an interest in the area again and restored its Victorian-era buildings. Today, Old Oakland again boasts a broad mix of local businesses in a community that pays homage to its roots with red brick sidewalks, ornate facades and walkable streets.
Stroll and enjoy Old Oakland’s grid of sidewalk-lined blocks.
9th Street of Old Oakland is full of all sorts of retail and dining amenities.
View of shops in the Old District of Oakland CA.
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Local food options at every corner of Old Oakland
Old Oakland has local shops and restaurants, including boutiques, breweries, farmers markets and bookstores. “There’s an area called Swan’s Market that’s right down by 9th and 10th Streets. It has artisan food, restaurants and an oyster bar,” says Bloom. “The other thing is the Old Oakland Farmers Market on 9th Street every Friday morning. You can get almost anything.” Swan’s Market is a collection of local businesses in a building that has been a marketplace since 1917. It has spots like The Cook and Her Farmer, a casual oyster bar, and Annapurna Restaurant serving Nepalese cuisine. The farmer market runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Friday and includes various local vendors. Bloom also recommends Oeste as a place for a night out. This chic restaurant serves seafood like shrimp and grits and whole red snapper. Local stores include everything from The Bookmark Bookstore and Black Bear Apparel to art galleries like Omiiroo and E14. The closest full-service grocery stores are a Safeway to the south or a Whole Foods to the north.
Dela Curo Curry is one of the popular spots in Old Oakland's Swan's Market.
People are enjoying a wide selection of eateries in Old Oakland's Swan's Market.
Those with a sweet tooth can stop by Cupcakin’ Bake Shop at Swans Market in Old Oakland.
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Modern living in Old Oakland
Condos make up most of the housing stock in Old Oakland, and most were built in the late 1990s or early 2000s. The neighborhood is densely populated, but there are no high-rises; most condo buildings have about four or five stories. They often have amenities like private parking garages, rooftop patios, fitness centers and additional storage units. Depending on the building, monthly HOA fees can range from around $400 to nearly $900. Most condos in the neighborhood have one or two bedrooms and cost between $400,000 and $650,000. Buyers should know the neighborhood has a CAP Index crime score of 8 out of 10 for robbery, higher than the national average of 4.
View of new apartments located in Old Oakland, CA.
View of historic homes converted into apartment's located in Old Oakland, CA.
Many of the residential spaces in Old Oakland are condos.
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Old Oakland hosts celebration of culture
Oakland’s melting pot of ethnicities is recognized in October with the annual Honoring our Ancestors festival on 9th Street and Broadway. This two-day event features ceremonies representing Aztec, Cambodian, Chinese and other cultures, plus artmaking, music and dance. Locals may come across an event at Swan’s Market, too—The Cook and Her Farmer has hosted a summer jazz concert series, for instance. The Oakland Convention Center constantly brings events to the neighborhood, including conferences and youth sports tournaments.
There's a farmer market every Friday in Old Oakland.
Lots of locals visit the farmers market on 9th Street in Old Oakland.
Popcorn is an important part of the Old Oakland Farmers Market experience.
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Pair of parks dot Old Oakland
Old Oakland has two small parks—Lafayette Square and Jefferson Square Park. Jefferson Square Park has a baseball field, basketball court and playground, while Lafayette Square has a small playground and a block of green space amidst the urban environment. The neighborhood is about 1 mile from Lake Merritt, a 155-acre body of water known as the jewel of Oakland. The lake has a 3-mile trail for walking, running or biking and several parks along the shore.
Old Oakland's Lafayette Square Park a green oasis in the neighborhood.
Old Oakland's Lafayette Square Park features a playground.
Peralta Park currently hosts homeless encampments.
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Bet on BART for getting around the city
Old Oakland is conveniently located near the 12th Street BART station, which offers access to the Orange, Red and Yellow lines. These trains take riders north to Richmond or Walnut Creek, west to San Francisco or south to San Jose. Several bus stops also serve the area, offering access to nearly all corners of Oakland and cities like San Francisco and Richmond. Walking and biking are other options for getting around the neighborhood. Interstate 880 is just south of the neighborhood, providing a route to San Jose or across the Bay Bridge to San Francisco. Oakland International Airport is about 8.5 miles away; the closest hospital is Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, about 2 miles away.
Old Oakland’s advantage is that it’s close to a BART station at 12th Street.
Those in Old Oakland can hop on the BART here and reach San Francisco in less than 15 minutes.
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Area schools come with a strong reputation
Students 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 and serves approximately 1,800 students. The school offers five academic pathways, including engineering and health. Notable alumni from Oakland Tech include actor Clint Eastwood and athletes Rickey Henderson and Marshawn Lynch.
View of the entrance to MLK Jr Elementary School located in Old Oakland, CA.
A colorful mosaic adorns the front of Lincoln Elementary School.
Westlake Middle School located in Oakland, CA.
Students are the highest priority at Oakland Technical High School.
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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Urban convenience meets updated courtyard calm - just 2 blocks to BART - FHA loan eligible - no carpets! This updated, quiet, garden-facing retreat has a smart & modern layout for flexible living - the floorplan separates bedrooms with spacious open-concept living, dining and redone kitchen - perfect for working from home, sharing or hosting guests. The unit has new flooring throughout (no
This contemporary top floor loft is perfect for city living! The open floor plan is enhanced by large windows, allowing for an abundance of natural light. Polished cement floors, high ceilings, stainless-steel appliances, two full baths, in-unit laundry and a beautiful fireplace. Adjacent to the living room, there is an office with stowaway queen size Murphy bed that doubles as a second bedroom,
Welcome to a modern oasis in the heart of Oakland at 555 10th Street, Unit 201. This stunning 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo features 906 sq/ft of thoughtfully designed living space. With a seamless open layout, the living, dining, and kitchen areas flow effortlessly, offering a perfect setting for both relaxation and entertaining. The unit comes equipped with a primary bedroom suite and the
Nestled amidst Oakland’s charming Victorians, the central business district, and Old Oakland’s shopping & dining, ArtHaus Ninth brings innovative design and contemporary amenities at approachable prices. Old Oakland is home to artisanal bakers and makers, innovative local businesses and brands, lively outdoor events, boutique retail, award-winning restaurants, local breweries, and the
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,592
Median Age
43
Population Density
23 ppl/acre
Population under 18
12.2%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$90,416
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$117,847
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
81.6%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
48.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
20.7%
% Population in Labor Force
60.3%
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.
