West Oakland is the small, northwestern pocket of Oakland situated north of Alameda and south of Emeryville. It has a population of approximately 32,000 and is home mainly to working-class families, artists, and activists.
West Oakland was the terminus of The Transcontinental Railroad, which was completed toward the end of the 1800s. As a result, the area became home to many Black Americans who were employed by the Pullman Palace Car Company, and others who were now able to move with the help of the newly-completed railroad. In the early 1900s, Latinos (mainly Mexicans, Cubans, and Puerto Ricans) began moving to West Oakland while fleeing the Mexican Revolution.
The Black Panther Party set up their headquarters in West Oakland in the 60s at 7th and Peralta. For the better part of two decades, the group helped provide free breakfast and lunch for local children, free health clinics, and even sickle cell anemia testing. Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, T-Bone Walker, Big Mama Thornton, and Al Green all performed along the strip on 7th Street. The exploding Blues scene helped the neighborhood earn the nickname "Harlem of the West." Music, art, and grassroots activism all have a strong hold in the area, even to this day.
Popular restaurants in the area include 10th and Wood (comfort food with a modern twist), Soba Ichi (Japanese cuisine featuring incredible soba noodles) and the 7th West bar. For the thrill-seekers, The Crucible offers industrial art classes including blacksmithing, glassblowing, ceramics, and more. The Kinetic Arts Center fitness & circus arts community for those who want to stay fit with a little more excitement than normal gyms can typically offer.
In addition to the rich history found in West Oakland, one of the best parts of living in the neighborhood are the incredible views of downtown San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay. Residents are also privy to excellent transportation choices including BART, the Bay Bridge, and convenient freeway access (880, 980, 580, and 80) which makes commuting a breeze.
