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Would you stay in Oakland (via AirBnB) in August?

Would you stay in Oakland (via AirBnB) in August?

Old Jun 16th, 2014, 10:17 PM
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Would you stay in Oakland (via AirBnB) in August?

I'm going to San Francisco for a few days in August - August 6-11. Now I've found that city hotels are beyond all reason pricewise, so I am planning to do the same thing I've done for several other cities, which is to use AirBnB.

I have several reasonable prospects in SF neighborhoods. However, I was thinking if I should explore Oakland. I keep on hearing about how it is gentrifying. Is staying in Oakland becoming the equivalent of staying in Brooklyn? I have been to San Francisco many times, so I'm open to trying something new. I love Berkeley, but just do not know anything about Oakland.
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 03:16 AM
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There are some very nice homes in Oakland - and I have not wondered around there for years - but there used to be some really bad dudes hanging out/cruising around Oakland.

Liked going to dinner at the Oakland Chinatown - or at the Wharf - but that was about it - other than going over for some Raider and A's games.
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 03:21 AM
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A good friend of mine lives in Oakland, in a private house with a superb view, in a beautiful neighborhood. Oakland is not a gritty inner city. There are also some excellent restaurants in Oakland.
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 03:47 AM
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How will you get back and forth? Driving is awful during commute times and BART fares will eat into your savings. Ferry? Maybe, but also $$ twice a day.

FWiW - short rentals like AirBnB are illegal in San Francisco and may also be illegal in Oakland.
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 06:25 AM
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What part of Oakland? Until a few months ago, my sister lived in the downtown/Chinatown area. I wouldn't feel comfortable walking around alone at night in her old neighborhood and I've lived in some sketchy areas of LA.
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 07:09 AM
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What is your budget - that may help you find something that is not "beyond all reason pricewise"?

Oakland is not Brooklyn.

Brooklyn was not a dump before "gentrification." It was a working class, blue-collar borough with some questionable areas and some high end areas (the Heights, Park Slope, Sheepshead Bay). Then the "gentrification" (read: Gen Xers, Gen Yers, millenials) moved in because it's less expensive than Manhattan and better connected to the city than Queens.

Oakland has been the Detroit of the West Coast for decades. It may be improving a bit, but it is STILL one of the four worst large cities in the US in terms of violent crime rate (Detroit, St. Louis, Oakland, Memphis) and its reputation precedes it for a reason.

Why not airbnb in Berkeley or another suburb?
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 07:21 AM
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>> Oakland is not a gritty inner city.ARE gritty inner city. There are parts of Oakland I would never (EVER) stay, and there are parts that are lovely. Unfortunately the dreadful parts outnumber the wonderful parts about 3 or 4 to 1. Some areas are very dangerous. Some parts - like the Oakland hills, have multi-million dollar homes w/ amazing views. Most parts have nothing of the kind.

Before you even consider a private rental in Oakland (or a hotel for that matter) - what is the specific address?

What is your budget?
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 07:36 AM
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There are less expensive chain hotels in Emeryville, like the Hilton Garden Inn. That might make access easier to SF.
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 07:50 AM
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My post above referred to the Oakland Hills, where there are quite a few listings on Air B&B. I know nothing about transport, or local laws, just commenting that you need an exact address to get good opinions.
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 08:21 AM
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ekscruntchy: I knew you didn't mean all of Oakland but your sentence didn't have any sort of qualifier - just >>Oakland is not a gritty inner city.
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 10:29 AM
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Short answer to "would I stay in Oakland in August?"
Absolutely not...not in any month. You want to see SF then stay there.
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 10:39 AM
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Oakland's a big city. Post the addresses of places you're considering and you'll get better advice.
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 03:22 PM
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Thanks everyone.

The reason for the especially extreme prices in SF hotels, I've discovered, is the Outside Lands music festival.

I have been to San Francisco a number of times, and I like it, and I have also visited Muir Woods, Santa Cruz, and Berkeley.

Is there enough of interest in Oakland to make it worthwhile to visit on its own?
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 06:56 PM
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What about going to Sausalito, Marin, Point Reyes, Inverness, or thereabouts?
I'd choose that over staying in Oakland for five nights.
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 08:09 PM
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Is there enough of interest in Oakland to make it worthwhile to visit on its own?

No, not really. There are a few neighborhoods of some interest but it's not really a city that would generally be of interest to tourists. BTW, I agree with every word of janisj's posts.
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 08:55 PM
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My friend and I decided to stay in hostels in central San Francisco for the first part of the stay, and then go to Petaluma where we got a TravelZoo deal for the weekend. I couldn't find exactly what I wanted on AirBnB for San Francisco, and ultimately decided Oakland just was not the solution either.

I've stayed in hostels before, and no big deal to do it again.

Thanks everyone.
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Old Jun 17th, 2014, 09:47 PM
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If you like beer, check out the Lagunitas beer garden in Petaluma--great beer, laid back atmosphere.
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Old Jun 18th, 2014, 09:16 AM
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http://www.sfhostels.org/fishermans-wharf/reservations/

the fort mason place looks nice
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Old Jun 18th, 2014, 10:23 AM
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The Fort Mason place has a beautiful, spectacular setting. I've stayed there before. It was full for the time I needed, though.
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Old Jun 20th, 2014, 09:40 AM
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Petaluma? I've heard its got a nice downtown, but its also 40 miles from San Francisco. I guess if you're going to Napa/Sonoma, it's a good place to stay.
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