The Oakland Convention and Visitors Bureau's site boasts an abundance of information about the historic city of Oakland and the amusements, recreation, museums, shops, and other attractions there. Whether you're interested in the best of the world's cuisines, arts and live performances, sports, dining and nightlife, shopping, or visiting one of the city's many historic museums, you can learn about it here at the Oakland CVB. Their site features fantastic interactive online maps you can use to find dining or other entertainment -- click on City Center, Old Oakland, Chinatown or Jack London Square to find out where you can eat, shop, and kick back near the convention hotel!

Serving more than 50,000 people within the downtown Oakland area, City Center is a popular pedestrian plaza and dining destination. Its landscaped walkways, picturesque fountains and exciting mix of shops and restaurants make City Center a city within the City of Oakland. You can learn all about the best places to shop and dine, and even download a convenient, easy to read map of the attractions near the City Center.

Jack London Square is one of the nation's most distinctive and the Bay Area's most beloved destinations. Our beautiful, vibrant waterfront enchants visitors. It defines our space. And it is the essential element of everything we are -- a dynamic destination buzzing with restaurants, shops, hotels, entertainment, recreation, outdoor markets and special events. At this site, you'll find plenty of information about the attractions of this historic area, located close by the Oakland City Center and conveniently accessible.

Downtown has burst onto the nightlife scene in a big way in Oakland. Scores of new restaurants, clubs, and venues have sprung up and more are on the way. And with Meet Downtown Oakland, you can learn all about it. This site is your essential guide to downtown Oakland's hot spots and cool venues.

More than 80,000 people have visited and sailed aboard former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's beloved "Floating White House," the former U.S.S. Potomac, since it opened to the public in the summer of 1995. $5 million has been spent over a 12-year period to restore the 165-foot-long vessel as a memorial to the president who authored the New Deal and led the United States during the Great Depression and the World War II years. You'll find this vessel at the waterfront in Oakland. Visit during your stay!

The Oakland Museum of California provides unique collections, exhibitions and educational opportunities designed to generate a broader and deeper understanding of and interest in California's environment, history, art, and people. Museum programs are responsive, accessible, and meaningful to the public, including school children, teachers, scholars, the immediate Oakland community, and an increasingly diverse California population. This site tells you all about what you'll find there as well as information about visiting.

If you'd like to look at the wilder side of Oakland, there's always the Oakland Zoo. The Oakland Zoo is open daily from 10am to 4pm, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. The children's rides area, train, and sky ride open at 11am. In the event of inclement weather, the Zoo may be forced to close.

Nestled in the rolling hills of 525-acre Knowland Park, the Zoo is located at 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland off Highway 580, and is home to more than 440 native and exotic animals.

Lake Merritt, Oakland's crown jewel, is also America's largest urban saltwater lake. Its surrounding park boasts the nation's first wildlife refuge (1870) and one of its original theme parks (1950). Also featured are lawn bowling, show gardens, children's art/science center, boat rentals, and events. The spectacular "Necklace of Lights" shines nightly around the 3.5-mile perimeter of the lake. You can learn about the lake here or about the many other parks and recreational areas in and around the city.

No matter where you need to go in the Bay Area, you can get there with BART. On this site, you'll find schedules, timetables, station information, maps, and a trip planner to help you get around the city easily and economically. You'll even find downloadable schedules for your iPod.

If you'd like to get around and enjoy the sunshine and breathtaking scenery of San Francisco Bay at the same time, then the Alameda/Oakland Ferry might be just the way for you to get to where you want to go and see the sights. At this site, you'll find information about fares, parking at the docks, timetables and schedules, and information about all the areas served by the ferry.

If you've got further to go, nothing beats the ease and comfort of Amtrak's congestion-free travel past some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. You can get anywhere along the California coast, or even further on an Amtrak train. This site provides you with trip planners, schedules, and station information as well as information about Amtrak's specials and rewards programs. For even greater convenience, you can make your reservations and purchase tickets online.