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  #1  
Old Posted Apr 5, 2008, 2:29 AM
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Oakland Megathread (300 photos)

Taking two years of my life and three different cameras, I present Oakland, California's most underrated city. When I tell most people I work in downtown Oakland the response is usually a visible cringe, followed by a disparaging "Ohh..." But, despite its problems, Oakland has a great collection of old architectural treasures and newer buildings. Most of my pictures were taken walking around before or after work or during my lunch. I hope you enjoy.





























































































Montclair is neighborhood of Oakland tucked away in the Oakland hills





















Oakland Mormon Temple























Island of Alameda

























I'll take this place...



Lounging in the sun...



















This view is no longer available as the building under construction is almost complete























































































































































Overlooking Piedmont, UC Berkeley clock tower in the distance



























Arguably the ugliest building in Oakland



















One of Oakland's newest



Oakland's newest church, much further along now

















































































































































































































Kaiser Building redux, my place of work for the past five years.







Something is missing here?



There it is...




View from the window in my cubicle





I will close with a collage I put together for a photography class I took. With the exception of the two top middle squares, all the pictures are of buildings in Oakland.



________________________________________________________________

Tour of California

1: Los Angeles, 2: Hollywood, Glendale, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, 3: Riverside, Santa Ana, Long Beach, 4: San Jose, 5: San Diego, 6: Fresno, 7: Stockton, Modesto, 8: Gold Country, 9: Eureka, Arcata, 10: Monterey, Carmel, 11: Santa Cruz, 12: Sacramento Pt One, 13: Sacramento Pt Two, 14: Roseville & Folsom, 15: Concord & Walnut Creek, 16: Tri-Valley, 17: Berkeley, Emeryville, 18: Fremont, 19: Santa Clara, Mountain View, Palo Alto, 20: Redwood City, Foster City, San Mateo

Last edited by stepper77; Apr 21, 2008 at 10:04 PM.
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  #2  
Old Posted Apr 5, 2008, 3:23 AM
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Absolutely outstanding job!
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Old Posted Apr 5, 2008, 3:59 AM
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That was beautiful. Even the Chronicle can't put a negative slant on this collection.
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Old Posted Apr 5, 2008, 4:37 AM
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Great pics!
Being from North Jersey, I've always felt a kinship with Oakland.
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Old Posted Apr 5, 2008, 5:05 AM
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Oakland has a great advocate in you. Nice looking town.
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Old Posted Apr 5, 2008, 5:05 AM
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Oakland's gains have been remarkable. Nice shots
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  #7  
Old Posted Apr 5, 2008, 6:03 AM
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Very good job. I love this shot:

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  #8  
Old Posted Apr 6, 2008, 8:39 PM
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Very good job. I love this shot:

Thank you! That one is actually one of favorites as well. I walk by this street everyday going to an from Bart.
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Old Posted Apr 6, 2008, 9:15 PM
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Yes.

I would say it's sure underrated.
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Old Posted Apr 7, 2008, 12:50 AM
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Nice photos, thanks for the tour. I have stayed a few times in the Rockridge neighbourhood next to Berkeley, and Oakland was nothing like what I thought it would be.
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  #11  
Old Posted Apr 7, 2008, 3:28 AM
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Oakland is a fantastic Art Deco city.
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  #12  
Old Posted Apr 7, 2008, 6:25 PM
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Fantastic collection, stepper. You've captured it all: the urbanity, the variety and the details that make Oakland a great city. Thanks for shining a light on this very much under appreciated city.
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  #13  
Old Posted Apr 8, 2008, 12:59 PM
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What a nice thread you put together. I don't think I can recall ever anyone putting this much focus on this underated city. I was once offered a job with a company in downtown Oakland overlooking the lake. Sadly I had to turn it down and stay in Fresno at the time.

Anyway given the choice, I would most certainly choose Oakland over San Francisco to live. I like the fact its feels much more neighborly and is much greener. As noted with another forumer who find a kindship with this city. Although different I see Long Beach as in the same boat and due to its larger city (Los Angeles) in the region, it is often overshadowed. But as we both know these two cities could stand on its own. Only had there been more physical distance away from their larger peers. Oakland and Long Beach would shine even more so by themselves.
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Old Posted Apr 8, 2008, 3:36 PM
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Wow that took forever to load, but definitely worth the wait. Oakland has very strong attributes, and really does have some great pocket neighborhoods. Nice work, one of the best threads ever...
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  #15  
Old Posted Apr 8, 2008, 10:50 PM
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Gertrude Stein got it wrong. There is a there there.
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  #16  
Old Posted Apr 9, 2008, 1:11 AM
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that is one amazing collection of photos that really show off Oakland in an amazing light. I was amazing by all there great old and even some new architecture there. It is definitely a well built city, as from what you presented us with.

My question would be, is it a pretty quiet city with foot traffic or are you like me where you try to get the shot with the least people in them? I love doing that but people tend to mistake it for being an empty city.
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Old Posted Apr 9, 2008, 1:45 AM
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Oakland is a gourgeous city!
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  #18  
Old Posted Apr 9, 2008, 4:41 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by urbanlife View Post
that is one amazing collection of photos that really show off Oakland in an amazing light. I was amazing by all there great old and even some new architecture there. It is definitely a well built city, as from what you presented us with.

My question would be, is it a pretty quiet city with foot traffic or are you like me where you try to get the shot with the least people in them? I love doing that but people tend to mistake it for being an empty city.
I too try to avoid taking pictures with people in it, so, Oakland might look a lot less crowded than it really is. Foot traffic in and around downtown is pretty heavy during the day and Lake Merritt has a walking path that goes all the way around (about 3 miles) that is VERY popular with walkers, runners and those with dogs.
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  #19  
Old Posted Apr 9, 2008, 7:43 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stepper77 View Post
I too try to avoid taking pictures with people in it, so, Oakland might look a lot less crowded than it really is. Foot traffic in and around downtown is pretty heavy during the day and Lake Merritt has a walking path that goes all the way around (about 3 miles) that is VERY popular with walkers, runners and those with dogs.
I figured as such, I will be making a trip to San Fran at the beginning of July for 4 days, not sure I will make it to Oakland other than flying in and out of there, but it definitely has an amazing collection of architecture and I think the city would of been better off on its own rather than sitting next to San Fran.
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Old Posted Apr 9, 2008, 9:01 PM
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Whats not to like about that city??? Awesome thread.
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