Oakland Hotels

How to Find the Best Hotel Deals in Oakland

Because of its close proximity to the world-famous city of San Francisco, finding a hotel in Oakland is incredibly easy. However, finding the best hotel deals in Oakland can be quite difficult. There are so many hotels to choose from, how do you know which one to pick?

When you book with Enjoy Travel, you can let our algorithm do all the hard work – just let us know where you want to stay and what you need in your hotel, and we’ll do the rest for you. In the meantime, here are a few tips that can help you discover the best hotel deals in Oakland:

Location

Like with most major cities, downtown Oakland is the busiest and most vibrant part of the city. However, if you’re looking for the best hotel deal, chances are, you’ll have to search outside of the downtown area. Staying on the outskirts of the city can be much more beneficial than staying downtown, not only because it's cheaper, but also because you’re usually much closer to major attractions.

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Book Ahead

Booking in advance is another good way to find the best hotel deals. While you can get some good last-minute deals if you’re lucky, you can rely on advance booking to consistently deliver the best deals. Specifically to Oakland, anywhere between 30 days and six months in advance is the best time to book. Even better if you can find a hotel with free cancellation options, in case your plans change, or you need to change dates, for example.

Discover Oakland’s Secrets and Surprises

Dining Out in Oakland

With approximately 15% of Oakland’s population having Asian heritage, it is little surprise to see huge numbers of Asian restaurants and takeouts lining Oakland’s streets. However, what separates Oakland’s Asian food options from many others is its fusion with the Latin influence that is so prevalent in California, particularly in Oakland. Some of the most unique food options available include the Ramen Burrito and “Sushiritto” – absolutely must-haves for any foodie wishing for an authentic Oakland food experience. Of course, there are plenty of other favorites too, such as burger restaurants, and a huge amount of seafood options, ranging from fish tacos to pan-seared Pacific tuna, freshly caught the same morning in many instances.

Drinks and Nightlife in Oakland

Many bars in Oakland cater to those out for a long night, open around 4 pm, and stay open until the early hours. You can expect everything from live bands, and solo acoustic artists to resident DJs, spinning club classics until the sun rises over the San Francisco Bay.

However, for those after a quiet afternoon drink, there are many rooftop bars in Oakland, which make for the ideal location from which to sip a cocktail or a chilled glass of white wine and admire the views over the Bay Area.

Like the rest of California, the legal drinking age in Oakland is 21 years old, and it is a crime for anyone under 21 to be caught in possession of alcohol.

Must-See Sights in Oakland (What Not to Miss!)

Oakland has a huge amount of culture, both historical and modern, and there are many things to do and see in this amazing city. Here are just a few of our favorites:

Redwood Regional Park: Located just a 15-minute drive from downtown Oakland, a visit to Redwood Regional Park is an essential part of any visit to Oakland. The redwoods, native to California, are hundreds of years old, and some even stand hundreds of feet tall – some even reaching dizzying heights of 350 feet. They are a truly incredible spectacle to behold, and you’d be surprised at how rural a visit to the Redwood Regional Park can feel, despite only being less than 10 miles from downtown Oakland.

Oakland California Temple Gardens & Visitor’s Center: Standing atop a hill on Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, the Temple is a wonderful place to visit. The gardens are open to the public and are lit up at night, creating a stunning environment in which to experience serenity and calm. There is also a visitor’s center, where you can learn all about your family history through interactive displays. The temple itself is only open to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but a visit to the gardens and the visitor’s center is a must-see when in Oakland.

Chabot Space & Science Center: Ideal for couples and families alike, the Chabot Space & Science Center is a must-visit when in Oakland. Learn all about Planet Earth and our Universe through cutting-edge technologies, as well as see authentic telescopes which have been used in space exploration. In addition, the center is home to three large telescopes which are open to the public every Friday and Saturday night, perfect for a night of stargazing in the clear Californian night sky, nothing as you’ve ever experienced before.

How to Choose the Best Oakland Hotel For You

Here at Enjoy Travel, we pride ourselves on being able to consistently choose the very best hotels for you. Whether you’re searching for a cozy hotel for a big birthday to celebrate with a loved one, or something perfect for all the family, we’ve got you covered. Here are just a few tips that can help you find the best Oakland Hotel for you:

Budget:

Once you know how much you’re prepared to spend on a hotel per night, the rest is easy work. Check via comparison websites different hotel types that are in your budget, and then you can see which ones suit your needs. It’s even better if you find a hotel significantly under your budget, as that means more money to spend on activities for your Oakland vacation.

Location:

Which part of town you stay in can also affect how much you pay for a hotel. Downtown is always going to be more expensive than a hotel on the outskirts, so if you want to save a few dollars, we suggest looking for hotels that hug the city’s outskirts, rather than going for the most central downtown place.

Amenities:

What you want from your hotel is also worth planning for – if you want an outdoor swimming pool, then make sure only to look for Oakland hotels with outdoor pools. Use Enjoy Travel’s unique filters to help you narrow down your search for the perfect Oakland hotel.

How to Choose the Cheapest Oakland Hotel for Your Stay

We all want to save a few bucks where we can, especially in this current economic climate, right? Well, finding a cheap hotel is no exception. Oakland might seem pricey from the outside, but here are a few tips that you can bear in mind when looking specifically for a cheap Oakland hotel:

Flexibility:

If you can be flexible with which dates you choose to go on vacation, then you can save a lot of money. For instance, hotels in Oakland are more expensive on weekends than during the week. Get that PTO used up and treat yourself to a mid-week stay in Oakland – you know you deserve it!

Visit Out of Season:

There’s no summer like a Californian summer, and that’s a fact – sunny beaches, warm weather, blue waters – it’s perfect! However, this also means that the summer months (or anytime from late May until late September in Oakland’s case) are the most popular months to visit California. If you can avoid visiting Oakland during these months, you will save a fortune not just on accommodation, but also on your flights – it’s a win-win situation.