Thrift Shop Supporting Berkeley Humane

The Layover music bar and art lounge dances to the beat of its own drum in the heart of downtown Oakland. The bohemian interior spins an eclectic mix of DJ line ups, bands and showcases art collections of Bay Area artists. Drinks are green with signature organic cocktails, and the location is sweet sitting next to top nightlife attractions like the Fox Theater, Paramount Theater, and 19th Street BART.

Experience the drama on stage at the TheatreFIRST. Oakland's resident professional theater company is home-grown talent at its best, with a knack for bringing the house down with provocative plays that excite and engage audiences. Past performances on the entertainment schedule have included The Grapes of Wrath, Welcome Home, Jenny Sutter, and Anton in Show Business.

Birds of a feather flock together at the Lake Merritt. The unique fresh and salt water lake is home to the oldest wildlife and bird sanctuary in North America. Spend time at Oakland's treasured waterfront traveling across 155 acres of land, ideal for nature lovers and fans of bayfront views.

It's a race to the finish line at the International Dragon Boat Festival. Come watch spectacular boats adorned with colorful dragon heads and tails manned with 20 or more paddlers as they reenact a Chinese tradition to appease the river dragons. Today it's one of the fastest growing watersports in the world.