Is Oakland Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Oakland, California is in the San Francisco-San Jose region known as the East Bay.

This is a culturally diverse and active community with more than 440,000 people.

One of the busiest bridges in the state carries people back and forth between Oakland and San Francisco.

You can drive, walk, or bicycle across the bridge to get between the two cities.

While the two are connected, it’s frowned upon by locals to generalize that Oakland is San Francisco.

Both cities have their own uniqueness, as does San Jose.

A great bonus when visiting Oakland is you are in a perfect spot to enjoy the city and the wilderness, with downtown and redwood forests just 15 minutes apart.

Oakland gets some of the best weather in the Bay Area, with more sunshine and less fog than its neighborhoods across the bay.

Temperatures are also warmer here on average.

Oakland also boasts fun for everyone, from families with young kids exploring the Oakland Zoo to people exploring the Oakland Cannabis Trail to LGBTQIA+ activities to women and black-owned businesses.

The diversity here really sets it apart and the prices are generally more affordable than in some other Bay Area communities.

Warnings & Dangers in Oakland

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Oakland has a long history and an even worse reputation for having a lot of crime. That holds true in 2022 as crime rates are increasing even higher. The places that are safe to explore come with medium risk and certain neighborhoods come with high risk and should be avoided at all costs.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Public transportation options include AC Transit, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), and the San Francisco Bay Ferry. The Broadway shuttle can get you from the other transportation hubs to downtown Oakland. You can also rent a car, ride a bike or utilize taxis and rideshares. There are some public transportation stops that are in potentially dangerous neighborhoods and driving a car can require a lot of patience in traffic. Use any option with medium risk.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

You should assume in any crowded space, like a BART train, that someone is eyeing you to potentially pickpocket. Plan your outfit around a safe, out of plain sight, place to store your wallet. Don't zip or button it in a backpack pocket or leave it in an open purse. Even putting it in your back pocket with a button isn't going to protect you.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Earthquakes and wildfires are the biggest risks here, and while the average day in the Bay Area has a low risk, these two events can be catastrophic. Earthquakes you won't see coming, so be sure to research safety practices ahead of time. Wildfires can spread quickly and impact air quality and also lead to evacuations.

MUGGING RISK: HIGH

The robbery rate here is eight times higher than the national average - EIGHT TIMES HIGHER. That's one of the highest robbery risks I've seen in hundreds of research articles about travel safety. In addition to that, there are high violent crime risks here. Don't ever fight back against a robbery or get confrontational. Follow instructions and remember as much as you can to file a police report.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Across the Bay Area, there is medium risk. This massive population center and shipping hub has a lot of military presence too. The higher risk also comes with an abundance of safety. Read through the Ready Oakland section of the city's website to learn more about safety and vigilance.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

Treat this with a medium risk so you stay on your toes, but the sad truth is, if someone wants money from you here they aren't afraid to take it by force. Avoid anyone who seems like they are trying to help you because it could be a distraction. Only ask for advice from trusted people like police officers, hotel concierge workers, and managers of local businesses.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women should use extra caution if traveling alone here and stay off the streets at night. If you are going out after dark, stay in well-lit and populated areas. Confirm any driving directions before you go so you don't get lost and end up in a dangerous neighborhood.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2021 Water Quality Report shows full compliance and no violations for the year. You should always check the city website for water quality issues before you travel, but there's a low risk you'll have any issues during your visit.

Safest Places to Visit in Oakland

Visitoakland.com is the official tourism website for the city.

Visitcalifornia.com is also the state’s official site if you want to look for options outside of the Bay Area.

The Oakland Zoo is a special place with unique animals from around the world and roller coasters too!

You can also take a gondola ride high above the zoo to get great views of the habitats and the surrounding region.

Be sure to stop by the Children’s Zoo section (with or without children) to see an elephant feeding and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to get a chance to feed one!

The Chabot Space & Science Center takes you all the way to space with its NASA Experience and Planetarium with movies and interactive exhibits.

An exhibit called “Touch The Sun” will take you through experiences that change the way you see the sun.

Young children will burn a lot of energy exploring Fairyland.

It’s geared toward toddlers, but it can be fun for anyone who wants to channel their inner toddler.

The park walks you through some of your favorite childhood storybooks and brings them to life in an interactive and fun setting.

The Museum of Children’s Art is another place kids can enjoy by taking an art class or viewing the art created by other children.

The Oakland Museum of California is filled with art, history, and geography of the unique landscape of this region.

You’ll learn about the pre-historical times of this land and how the mountains were formed.

With California having so many unique types of geology and geography, this interactive and informative exploration opportunity is sure to please.

To see historic upscale homes, visit the Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate or take a Pardee Home Museum Tour.

Both locations offer private tours and special event opportunities like tea parties or garden gatherings.

Check the schedules for events happening during your visit.

If you want to spend time on the water, go through the tube (aka tunnel) or cross one of several streets that cross over into Alameda.

You can read our safety review of that city and find it’s a much safer part of the region to visit.

There are kayak rentals and even classes you can take if you want to explore the waters of San Francisco Bay.

Places to Avoid in Oakland

West of downtown and east of High Street contains the most dangerous areas in the city and the country.

Oakland has a long history of poverty, disenfranchised communities, and progressive fights for civil rights.

This was the headquarters of the Black Panthers in the day and Oakland produced some of the top hip-hop artists of our time.

The ongoing poverty combined with the pandemic impact has caused more violent crime in communities that can’t find much-needed help.

You will see a lot of tourist information about Fruitvale.

While it does have an abundance of cultural and cuisine options, including some of the best taco trucks in the region, crime has been rising and in late 2022 the business owners came together to demand action to curb violent crime.

The risk is especially high in the area of the BART Fruitville station.

There is also a strong gang presence in Oakland, with rival gangs throughout, but primarily in east and west Oakland.

Gangs here are relentless, violent, and lack any amount of compassion for your valuables.

Stay away from their neighborhoods and report any suspicious activity you see.

While you can walk and bicycle in this city, for a first-time tourist, you’re safer to take door-to-door options like taxis or rideshares.

You can’t afford to go into the wrong neighborhood, and in many parts of Oakland, it is just a few blocks in either direction.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Oakland

So... How Safe Is Oakland Really?

Look, all big cities are going to be dangerous in certain parts.

They will all come with an element of danger and certain risks.

Oakland is one of the most dangerous cities in America, but a lot of that risk is due to gangs and drug crime.

There isn’t a rash of crimes against innocent bystanders, but there is little concern from violent criminals about who gets hurt during a crime spree.

Your safety goes up exponentially if you avoid the far east and west sections of town, but there’s still going to be an element of danger.

The city is working to fix some of the progress that was made before the pandemic hit.

That’s when crime soared and started infiltrating once safer parts of the city.

“Since COVID, the connection between the city government and specifically black and brown communities has been really compromised,” Oakland Department of Violence Prevention Chief Guillermo Cespedes said.

“It’s not that the relationship was great to begin with, but COVID exposed the vulnerabilities, so we are rebuilding trust.”

According to the crime data OPD provided in 2021, the violent crime risk was 3.7 times higher than the national average.

The robbery was eight times higher and auto theft was 7.5 times higher.

Theft risks are 2.4 times higher and an average of five cars get stolen every day.

Never leave a car unlocked here and take all belongings, even handicapped placards, and GPS holders, inside with you at night.

You can enjoy so much Oakland has to offer, but you can’t afford to let your guard down.

Use the police resources available to study the safety and talk to an officer in the district where you’ll be staying to learn more about how to protect yourself.

How Does Oakland Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

You'll need a U.S. Visa or Visa Waiver to get through Customs and a valid passport is required too. The visa process can take months to complete, so make an appointment with the U.S. embassy in your country as soon as possible.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar is the only currency allowed here, but it's smart not to carry cash with you. Don't use public ATMs, especially at night. Exchange currency inside banks.

Weather

Jeans and t-shirt weather reign most of the year, but you'll want a jacket or hoodie for the chilly days. Bring hiking boots if you are heading into the mountains. Be sure to dress like a local. Don't try to be too dressy or too casual. The less you look like a tourist, the more you will blend in.

Airports

Oakland International Airport is 15 minutes from downtown, but you can also take BART to San Francisco's airport. Getting to San Jose's airport by car is fine, but using public transportation you'll have to switch types in several locations. Choose one of the other airports if you won't use a vehicle here.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is just a smart investment for any trip. It might feel like a waste of money if you don't use it, but it's going to give you peace of mind and much-needed protection - just in case.

Oakland Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

California - Safety by City