Oakland Airport terminal, 1 Airport Drive, on Google Maps
Although Oakland Airport primarily serves East Bay Area communities, including Berkeley, Concord, Hayward, Walnut Creek and out to Fairfield, the airport’s promoters argue it is also close to downtown San Francisco across the Bay and to Napa wine country. OAK is less congested than San Francisco’s airport and is also less susceptible to flight delays caused by fog and other weather.
The airport is accessed off Interstate 880, the Nimitz Freeway, using either Exit 35, 98th Avenue, or Exit 36, Hegenberger Road, to Bessie Coleman Drive. From the airport, downtown Oakland is about 10 miles north, or about 20 minutes driving time in normal traffic; the University of California campus in Berkeley is 14 miles, or about 25 minutes; San Francisco’s Downtown Financial District is about 19 miles across the Bay Bridge or about 30 minutes; and the heart of the Napa Valley is about 55 miles and just over one hour drive time.
Passenger facilities at OAK consist of two terminals that are interconnected via a walkway inside the TSA secure area. Gates 1-17 are in Terminal 1 and Gates 20-32 are in Terminal 2. Departures are on the upper level and baggage claim for arrivals is on the lower level.
Ground transportation options at the airport include app-based ride services, taxis, limousines and shuttles, all of which meet passengers directly in front of the terminal. The OAK Rental Car Center is about a 10-minute shuttle ride from the terminal.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) operates a free connector train for the 9-minute ride between OAK airport and its Coliseum station. The airport stop is above the parking garage directly across from Terminal 1 (and a short walk from Terminal 2). At the Coliseum station, passengers can buy tickets to continue on BART to other destinations in the Bay Area or take a pedestrian bridge to connect to Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor intercity train.
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) has three bus routes that stop in front of the terminal at OAK: Route 21 – serves Bay Farm Island, Alameda Towne Centre and the Fruitvale neighborhood in Oakland’s Dimond District; Route 73 – along Hegenberger Road and 73rd Avenue to/from the Eastmont Transit Center where there are connections to other AC Transit buses; and Route 805 – an hourly service operating 12:30 a.m.-4:30 a.m. to/from the Eastmont Transit Center, the Fruitvale neighborhood and downtown Oakland.
Southwest Airlines flights arrive and depart Oakland at gates 4 and 6 in Terminal 1 and gates 20-32 in Terminal 2. Connecting passengers can reach all other gates in the terminal without exiting the TSA secure area. Southwest’s check-in counters are in Terminal 2.
Yes, that’s what Oakland is called. It’s the combination of Hella, a slang word linguists say came from the area in the late 1970s/early ’80s referring to something impressive or extraordinary, with Town, a word that’s long be used in the Bay Area to differentiate Oakland from “The City,” San Francisco. The East Bay Area has its own vibe and unique entertainment, educational and outdoor attractions that are low on pretense. Oakland is well-known for being multi-cultural – U.S. Census data show no ethnicity or race makes up more than 29% of its population. Commis is a Michelin two-star restaurant with a décor so minimalist there’s no sign out front. In Berkeley, Chef Alice Waters in the 1970s pioneered California cuisine using organic, locally grown ingredients at her restaurant Chez Panisse which has inspired others to open unique eateries nearby. OAK is also the Bay Area’s most convenient major airport for reaching California’s famous Napa Wine Country.
Get trip planning information at Visit Oakland.
It is also home to the oldest U.S. wildlife refuge, designated in 1870. And if that is not enough, there’s a monster in the lake called the Oakness Monster that has been spotted from time to time since 1940. Supposedly it’s your standard Loch Ness-type creature with humps, spikes and a long tongue. And, oh so coincidentally, the helpful folks at Visit Oakland point out the best place to catch a glimpse of the monster is at a lakefront restaurant named the Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill.
Be among the first to know and get regular updates about Tucson International Airport from the Tucson Airport Authority in our monthly newsletter.
Southwest Airlines