For a vacation spent exploring the Bay Area, there's no better place to stay than Oakland. A stone's throw from Berkeley and just across the bay from San Francisco, hotels in Oakland are perfectly situated and tend to be cheaper than the ones in those more tourist-focused counterpart cities.
Many of the hotels in Oakland have been more traditional chain hotels, such as the Marriott and the Holiday Inn. This isn't to detract from the quality of these options, though, as these tend to be clean, quiet and comfortable. There are quite a few such choices in downtown Oakland, and they're perfect for a business trip, traveling with children, or for a less expensive stay if style or glamour aren't a concern. v
Since these hotels are frequently used for business and conferences, they tend to be close to BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), making getting around the bay a cinch. There are also quite a few of them around the airport, for long-distance travelers, and the several golf courses around the airport's perimeters make for a convenient excuse to get out on the green.
For a more desirable location, there are a couple of hotels along the bayfront. Although there aren't the swimmable beaches of the southern coast around here, there are some beautiful harbor and ocean views to be found and enjoyed. It's possible to find a few historic and boutique hotels and inns here, and elsewhere in Oakland.
In Old Oakland, some older buildings remain from Oakland's days as an industrial boomtown, restored into hotels that still give some insight into the city's past. Chinatown and Jack London Square are two other locations to look into for a stay with a little more personality. And it's possible to find relatively inexpensive extended-stay apartments in these areas as well, in case the end of your vacation comes too soon.
10 Washington Street
Jack London Square Favorite...
988 Broadway
Business and leisure...
1755 Embarcadero
Waterfront Oakland hotel...
66 Airport Access Road
Close to the airport...
1800 Madison Street
(at the corner of 17th Street)
By the lake...
8471 Enterprise Highway
Close to the airport...
8350 Edes Ave
Near Oakland Airport...
1001 Broadway
Convention headquarters...
1801 Embarcadero
I-880/Nimitz Freeway at 16th Avenue/23rd Avenue
Central Oakland location...
495 10th St
Old Oakland era downtown boutique hotel...
150 Hegenberger Rd
An Oakland favorite...
8465 Enterprise Way
Conveniently located Oakland airport hotel...
One Hengenberger Road
Full service...
444 EMBARCADERO WEST
Hotel is a historic attraction...