Looking down at Lake Merritt, in the heart of Oakland.
Children's Hospital Oakland
Residency Program
Life outside residency
Oakland, one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the nation, is a thriving recreational, business and cultural center. Oakland's mild climate means nearly year-round access to 500 nearby miles of parkland trails; it virtually guarantees your free time can be spent outdoors.
In the heart of Oakland is beautiful Lake Merritt, a 160-acre tidal salt-water lake, surrounded by parks and playgrounds. Most residents find suitable housing in one of Oakland's many neighborhoods, located just minutes away from Children's Hospital.
In Oakland you'll discover the internationally acclaimed Oakland Museum, a bustling Chinatown, Jack London Square and the spectacular art deco Paramount Theater of the Arts, home to the Oakland Symphony and an array of cultural events.
The Oakland A's baseball team, the Golden State Warriors basketball team and the Oakland Raiders football team attract capacity crowds to the Oakland Coliseum complex near Oakland International Airport.
The Bay Bridge connects Oakland to all the varied attractions of San Francisco, located just 15 minutes away by automobile, or with a short ride on a convenient and reliable train of Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART).
Immediately north of Oakland is Berkeley, offering an eclectic mix of arts, theater, education and collegiate sports. The Bay Area has an extraordinary range of dining choices, from authentic ethnic fare to internationally acclaimed California cuisine.
It is easy to see why the Bay Area is one of California's most desirable areas to live and work. Accessible for day or weekend trips from the Bay Area are the wine country of Napa and Sonoma counties, the magnificent Redwoods, Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevada (including Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks) and scenic coastal areas such as Big Sur, the Monterey Peninsula and Mendocino. Water sports, cross-country and downhill skiing, fishing, camping and other outdoor recreational activities are easily enjoyed by our residents.
Here are some useful links to help you learn about the Bay Area:
- SFGate.com (San Francisco Chronicle newspaper)
- The Oakland Tribune (newspaper)
- Zagat's local restaurant guide
- Parks in the East Bay
- GORP San Francisco Travel, Tourism and Recreation Guide
- Bay Area Rapid Transit (commuter train service)
- AC Transit: Alameda County bus service
- Oakland International Airport
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