Just across the Bay from San Francisco, Oakland, California is an urban cultural mecca that stretches from the coast to redwood-covered rolling hills. Did you know that Oakland is home to TWO huge redwood parks, a lake in the middle of downtown, 3 historic Art Deco theatres, a food and coffee scene that rivals San Francisco, a system of hidden staircases, and over 600 street art murals? We've lived here for 8 years and we're STILL discovering new things to love about our home city every day! Here are 29 things nobody tells you about Oakland, California.