Territory Supply is reader-supported and may earn a commission when you book or purchase using our links. Learn more about our editorial policies here.
Oakland often gets overshadowed by San Francisco, its neighbor on the other side of the San Francisco Bay. But smart travelers know it’s a destination in its own right thanks to thriving food, arts, and music scenes.
And the nearby outdoor recreation doesn’t hurt, either.
An influx of creative types have moved to Oakland, perhaps because of the lower rents and neighborhoods that still stay true to it’s urban roots. And as result, Oakland is having a cultural renaissance, blossoming into a fabulous destination many actually prefer over San Francisco. The Oakland Athletics have called Oakland home for decades, famous “The Call of the Wild” author Jack London lived here, and even Tom Hanks once sold popcorn and peanuts in the stands at the Oakland Coliseum (he grew up in the area.)
Oakland has a fabulous zoo and conservation park, world-class waterfront dining around Jack London Square, museums, cool music venues like the Fox Theater, and tons of pop-up art exhibits far cooler than the more mainstream offerings in Golden Gate Park. So if you need the perfect spot to base yourself, check out the airbnbs in Oakland below, starting from a fairly reasonable BLANK.
Related Read: 12 Best Airbnb Rentals in Lake Arrowhead, California
1. Stylish Garden Flat
Why you should stay: Historic character and a clawfoot tub to soak in at the end of the day.
- Sleeps: 4
- Minimum stay: 1 night
- Rates from: $142/night
Located in a quiet, family-oriented neighborhood with plenty of historic character, this one-bedroom Victorian flat has period features, elegant furnishings, and clawfoot tub. It even includes a backyard oasis (a rarity for the area), providing a relaxing outdoor space to hang out in. It’s been updated with modern amenities, with beautiful wood floors and a large kitchen that includes new stainless-steel appliances, ideal for small dinner parties.
You’ll be just a five-minute drive from Lake Merritt, where you can go for a low-key stroll or even take a cruise in a traditional Venetian gondola. After a day of fun, look forward to a peaceful night’s sleep in a comfortable bed with blackout shades on the windows to prevent an unwanted early wakeup call as the sun peeks in.
Check Availability2. Luxury Rockridge Casita
Why you should stay: This garden setting feels more ‘South of France’ than ‘downtown Oakland.’
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $147/night
This backyard guest casita was the most-loved online home tour of 2019, according to Sunset Magazine readers. And though you may feel like you’re in a Mediterranean airbnb (you can pick your own lemons and berries in the garden!) it’s actually just one of the best airbnbs in Oakland, ready to help make your vacation perfect. In the Rockridge Neighborhood at the base of the Oakland Hills, it’s in a sleepy setting surrounded by cottages and bungalows owned by those who prefer the quiet life to the hustle and bustle across the Bay.
Those who stay here can look forward to being close to Cactus Taqueria, with its highly rated burritos and tacos, as well as the Rockridge BART station, making it easy to move around the cities and surrounding area.
Check AvailabilityRelated Read: 11 Best Resorts California for Rest & Relaxation
3. Tech-Forward Townhouse
Why you should stay: Unbeatable access to the Bay Bridge for SF explorin’.
- Sleeps: 4
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $162/night
This modern two-bedroom townhouse offers a homey feel with a host who will ensure you have everything you need for a comfortable stay. It’s in a fabulous West Oakland location, hidden away from the main streets but with easy access to the highway and the bridge to San Francisco. A great option for two couples or friends traveling together, both bedrooms have full bathrooms, and you’ll appreciate having a washer and dryer, too.
“Sherwain’s place is amazing. It’s super easy to get to from SF. The apartment is spotless and modern and really really big. Sherwain is super easy to communicate with and went above and beyond to make our week+ stay incredibly enjoyable.”
Related Read: 9 Airbnbs in Malibu for Your Next Beach Vacay
4. Magical Contemporary Casita
Why you should stay: Quiet North Oakland location with a peaceful outdoor space.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 4 nights
- Rates from: $179/night
This casita in the vibrant Temescal Neighborhood of Oakland truly lives up to its name: it feels like a little escape from the real world, with a great outdoor seating area and plenty of plants and trees. Fortunately, it’s also close to the Rockridge BART station in North Oakland, as well as with plenty of restaurants, cafes, and small independent shops that celebrate the community’s emerging arts and culture. It’s an enchanting space in a peaceful setting with stylish vibes and amenities like a fire and espresso machine.
The area is generally quiet, but the hosts provide a white noise machine and ear plugs just in case. While parking can be hard to come by in major cities, it’d actually pretty easy on this street, making it one of the better airbnbs in Oakland if your’e arriving by car.
Check Availability5. Artist’s Tiny House
Why you should stay: A work of art for those who appreciate the unique.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 1 night
- Rates from: $99/night
Located in the heart of Emeryville just a couple of minutes from Oakland or Berkeley and 15 minutes to San Francisco by car, the Zingara Caravan is a tiny house bursting with color. It’s ideal for artists, creative types, and anyone who likes unusual stays. The home has one-of-a-kind stained glass windows, huge wooden arches that form the ceiling handmade by your artist-builder host, mollusk shell tiles in the kitchen, a crystal chandelier, and other fabulous touches. It’s also one of the more affordable airbnbs in Oakland at under $100 a night.
This airbnb is tucked into a fenced courtyard so you’ll have space to relax in the Adirondack chairs beneath the fruit trees and enjoy outdoor dining in the cute little garden.
6. Contemporary North Oakland Apt
Why you should stay: A cozy home with heated floors in the heart of Oakland.
- Sleeps: 4
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $129/night
This North Oakland apartment offers an ideal location close to downtown Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, and San Francisco, with great restaurants and shopping nearby. You’ll have a clean, comfortable space with hosts happy to provide city recommendations, plus plenty of extras like Nespresso coffee, tea, and bath products. A booklet with shopping and dining recommendations is included, too.
“
This was a place from heaven. We could feel the peacefulness and the love as soon as we walked into the comfort of the home… Super clean!! We loved the side garden full of bamboos and greenery…”“
7. Private Villa
Why you should stay: A car-free stay with a host who provides lots of thoughtful extras.
- Sleeps: 4
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $150/night
Don’t want to drive? This private villa is located within walking distance from the Rockridge, Ashby, and McArthur BART stations, so it couldn’t be easier to get into San Francisco (or anywhere else on the BART system, for that matter.) You’ll be close to popular tourist attractions, multiple farmer’s markets, grocery stores, restaurants, and nature, all while staying in thoughtfully furnished space, filled with natural light. And since the host lives on-site, she can provide just about anything you’ll need, though the place already comes stocked with extras like coffee supplies and a yoga mat.
After a long day on your feet in the city, you can look forward to relaxing on the private back patio, perhaps sipping a glass of wine while watching the sunset.
Check Availability8. Finca 57
Why you should stay: Historic character in a converted barn on an urban farm.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $125/night
The owners transformed this 1906 carriage house into a beautiful loft space with vaulted ceilings and reclaimed wood doors salvaged from the original barn on site. And it still pretty much is a farm, as it’s on small piece of land in the middle of the city, complete with chickens. You’ll have everything you need, including fresh eggs from the chickens and a hammock for relaxing with a good book.
While you’ll definitely want to spend time hanging out here, the home is located in the historic neighborhood of Santa Fe, just a short jaunt from waterfront restaurants, parks, boutiques, and galleries. You can walk or bike to coffee shops on Adeline Street and pick up fresh, organic groceries at the famous Berkeley Bowl Market.
Check Availability9. Bayview Cottage
Why you should stay: The view alone is worth the (reasonable) price tag.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $150/night
The Bayview Cottage is aptly named, providing lots of privacy and an incredible 180-degree view of the San Francisco Bay, downtown Oakland, the Bay Bridge, San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge. While you’ll certainly want to spend time in the cities, be sure to come back in time to watch the sun set from your private deck. With special touches from your host (perhaps a welcome bottle of wine?) this will be a stay to remember.
“We were pleasantly surprised by the amazing views. Just over the water was a clear shot of downtown Oakland and the bay. The property itself was beautiful and SO clean which was definitely reassuring given the times that we’re in.”
10. Sunny, Artsy Home
Why you should stay: An artsy and affordable space for a small group.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $200/night
This beautiful home has been referred to as “special” and “magical,” though it’s also one of the more affordable airbnbs in Oakland, adding “budget-friendly” to the adjective list. It’s in an ideal Temescal location for enjoying the eateries, shops, art and culture of the neighborhood or to make the quick trip into SF.
Guests appreciate the front porch with hammock, the backyard perfect for cocktails or morning chats, and the amazing kitchen with a fancy coffee machine in case you need your morning espresso. The host also provides high-end toiletries and the walls are covered in funky, urban art.
Check AvailabilityPlan Your Next Adventure
Sign up for the Weekend Wanderer, our free email newsletter where thousands of readers get epic travel and airbnb ideas every week.
