Before heading to the largest city in Alameda County, you want to know the areas to avoid in Oakland. Indeed, with its reputation as a crime town, to choose where to stay, it is more prudent to avoid dangerous neighborhoods to favor the safest neighborhoods of Oakland.
So, to find out which areas to avoid in Oakland in 2024, here is the guide and map of the worst and best neighborhoods to stay.
This is a summary of information published on the internet: press articles, travel and expatriate forums, statistics and rankings. In fact, this article does not contain any judgment or discriminatory remarks.
How dangerous is Oakland CA?
To determine if Oakland is a dangerous city, you need to be able to compare its crime rate with that of other major cities around the world.
However, according to the rankings of the most dangerous cities in the world published on statista.com and populationu.com, we note that Oakland is not included, unlike many cities in the Mexico orSouth Africa,
But that's not enough to know if Oakland is dangerous or not. Let's see the statistics of the site Numbeo.com which ranks the main cities of the world according to their crime index.
In 2024 on this ranking, Oakland is in 35th position out of the 425 ranked cities. That means yes Oakland is a dangerous city compared to other major cities around the world.
If we compare its crime index, Oakland is more dangerous than Bogota, Brasilia, Santiago de Chile, Catania ou Marseille.
But what about at the national level in 2024? Let's see what the statistics say about Oakland's crime rate below the average for US cities.
Is Oakland safe in 2024 nationally?
In 2024, Oakland is not one of the safe cities in the United States. Indeed, Oakland, California is one of the most dangerous cities in the US.
This is what can be deduced from the many statistics on crime: Oakland has a crime rate higher than the average for American cities but also for other cities in California such as San Jose, San Francisco ou Los Angeles.
This is also confirmed by the site. numbeo.com which ranks the most criminal cities in the United States. On this ranking, Oakland stands out as the 6th most criminal city in the United States. Its crime index of 68.83 is higher than that of Chicago, Philadelphia or Milwaukee.
See on the map published on numbeo.com:
However, the truth is not so clear cut. Indeed, statistics often repeat overall crime rates.
Additionally, crime rates vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood in Oakland. Some areas of the city have much higher crime rates than others. This is why it is important to know which are the most dangerous neighborhoods in Oakland and the safest (see detailed list below).
Is Oakland safe for tourists?
Yes Oakland is a safe place for tourists but on condition that certain precautions are taken.
One of the first precautions to take when staying in Oakland is to look for the most crime-prone areas and avoid them (see below).
Indeed, as in any other city, the crime rate is higher in certain areas or neighborhoods.
But it would be a shame to deprive yourself of a stay in Oakland because the city has a thriving art scene, numerous galleries and museums and sports fans can attend a game at the Oakland Coliseum where the Oakland A's and the Raiders play.
Map of neighborhoods in Oakland
Oakland has many neighborhoods, some official, some not, the complete list of which you will find at localwiki.org.
So, to help you locate the areas to avoid in Oakland which we will talk about below, here is a map that indicates the main areas of the city: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FTV3schfeypLW1V38
Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Oakland
Using the figures published in 2024 on numerous websites such as areavibes.com, neighborhoodscout.com, crimegrade.org, newsbreak.com, here are the most dangerous neighborhoods in Oakland CA:
- eastmont
- Acorn Industrial
- Webster
- Fitchburg
- Hoover Foster
- Hawthorne
- fruitvale
- San Antonio
- Lake Merritt
- Coliseum Industrial
This list is not exhaustive and not classified. We are talking about the most dangerous neighborhoods in Oakland for those with the highest crime rates per number of inhabitants (violent crimes and property crimes).
Areas to avoid in Oakland CA
Oakland is a vibrant and diverse city, known for its rich culture and history. However, Oakland has some areas to avoid, especially for tourists and newcomers unfamiliar with the city's neighborhoods.
According to the local press, forums and numerous rankings, the main areas to avoid in Oakland are:
- The western area of Oakland which is considered the most dangerous because of the presence of gangs and drug trafficking. This area has the highest crime rates, especially in neighborhoods like Ghost Town and Acorn.
- When it comes to violent crime, the southern part of Oakland has seen an increase in recent years, especially in areas like Elmhurst and Sobrante Park.
- The East Oakland area is in 3rd position because it also has some neighborhoods to avoid such as Fruitvale and Eastmont.
On the contrary, the northern area of Oakland would be the safest. It is this area that is home to the more affluent neighborhoods like Lake Merritt and Piedmont where crime rates are lower.
Should we avoid the Downtown area of Oakland?
Although downtown Oakland has seen some revitalization in recent years, it still has its share of crime and homelessness.
While not among Oakland's most dangerous neighborhoods, visitors should, like all tourist sites, exercise caution when walking around Downtown after dark.
Are there neighborhoods to avoid around Berkeley?
No, all neighborhoods around Berkeley are relatively safe and pleasant: The Berkeley Hills, North Berkeley, Southside, West Berkeley.
Among the best neighborhoods around Berkeley, Rockridge which is part of Oakland is very popular because of its proximity to the campus and for its Rockridge BART station which connects San Francisco and many cities in the bay.
Oakland's Safest Neighborhoods
Summarizing data published on the web in 2024, the safest neighborhoods in Oakland are:
- Panoramic Hill
- forest land
- Montclair
- Rockridge
- Piedmont
- Grand Lake
- Trestle Glen
- Chabot Park
- Shepherd Canyon
- Woodminster
- Oakmore
- Grass Valley
- Glen Highlands
These are neighborhoods with lower crime rates per capita than others. This does not mean that they are completely safe. Indeed, many people have high rates of crimes such as car thefts, burglaries and purse snatches.
What are the best areas for tourists
If the city of Oakland is not so touristy as many other cities in California, it can attract visitors because it is located just across the bay from San Francisco which can be reached very easily by the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART).
- Downtown Oakland andst one of the best areas to stay for sightseeing. In fact, from this area, you can walk to many popular tourist sites, including Jack London Square, Oakland Museum of California, and Lake Merritt. Downtown Oakland is also home to City Hall, Jack London Square, and the Oakland Museum of California. The city center also has some of the best restaurants and bars in town.
- Uptown is another area of Oakland to stay in for sightseeing. It is a trendy and dynamic district that is home to many art galleries, theaters and concert halls. You'll be close to some of the city's most iconic landmarks, like the Fox Theater and the Paramount Theatre. Uptown is also known for its vibrant nightlife.
Which hotel to choose in Oakland?
Far from areas to avoid and dangerous areas of Oakland, for a tourist stay or a business trip, I recommend: Oakland Marriott City Center.
Indeed, its geographical location is ideal in the heart of Downtown. It is located across from the BART subway which takes you to downtown San Francisco and connects to the convention center.
Oakland has been getting progressively worse. I was born and raised here. Do not come to this city unless you want to be a victim of a crime.
oakland is very safe.