About Oakland
One city can have a huge impact on the economic viability of a state and nation. That’s exactly the type of power that Oakland has over the state, and in some cases, our country. Oakland is located on the San Francisco Bay, just across the Golden Gate Bridge, and is a major port city. There are usually about 55 vessels in the port, and over 84,000 jobs are tied to it.
But the port isn’t Oakland’s only claim to fame. It’s also home to Clorox, Pandora, Kamala Harris, and the Oakland Athletics. The city of approximately 440,000 residents has rich architecture, a thriving cultural scene, and a strong economy to support the young professionals who call it home.
Film Shoot Locations in Oakland
Film shoot locations in Oakland are popular because they have the city’s intricate architecture, diverse population, natural beauty, and a myriad of support businesses ready to serve the industry.
- Catering
Oakland’s catering options are exquisitely elegant and deliciously simple. It’s your pick and you have plenty of choices when you’re working with a caterer in the city. Between the busy port and the growing population, there is truly a restaurant and caterer for every palette and whim now.
- Furniture Rentals
You can have any type of furniture or equipment rentals you want in Oakland thanks to the port and other businesses. That’s truly an advantage as everything comes here first. Asia is a major trade partner for the city, but they also have shipments regularly arriving from Europe, Hawaii, and other locations.
- Transportation
It’s hard to focus on navigating in a strange city when you’re trying to take in all the sites. And you never want to be “that person,” so it’s better to seek alternative modes of transportation. There are quite a few choices for Oakland visitors.
Film Shoot Location Companies in Oakland
These film shoot location companies in Oakland have passed the litmus test with other projects, probably something with a similar size and scope to yours. Rest assured, the quality and service you receive will have you booking another project in Oakland soon.
- Blue Heron Catering Inc.
A company with 30 years of experience specializing in custom menus has a delightful solution to your catering needs. Even better, they offer Brown Sugar Catering, a partnership with Chef Tanya Holland. It adds another level of choices to their already robust menu by adding barbecue and other favorites.
- Hot Set Props
Hot Set Props is exactly what the name implies. Founders Jamie and Maxwell met and bonded over beautiful things first, and then when they went into business together, focused on finding beautiful things for every project. They’ve enjoyed amassing a collection of props and letting the world borrow those props for a film shoot.
- Oakland Airport Limo Service
Flying into town? Not a problem, Oakland area limo service will send one of their trained professionals over to get you. Their professional drivers will immediately put you at ease and lessen any worries as you zip along and enjoy the ride.
Pros and Cons of Film Shoot Locations in Oakland
The pros and cons of film shoot locations in Oakland may seem minimal to some, but we like to bring them up anyway. Sometimes the little things can make a good film shoot location seem less than ideal.
Advantages
- Eat, drink & be merry
The cultural opportunities in Oakland including the restaurants, nightlife, and arts provide a high level of culture and sophistication that appeal to all levels of visitors and residents. Most people in the city find a few favorite places, but there are enough to choose from so that you can avoid a repeat during your entire film shoot.
- Blue skies
The population of Oakland grew rapidly when people realized how wonderful the weather is in the city. It’s almost always sunny and mild because of the Mediterranean climate. That means that your film shoot location won’t be dealing with any wet feet or rain delays if you book in Oakland.
- Easy access
Oakland is easy to get to because of its proximity to San Francisco and major transportation infrastructure. The goods and services you need are available within the city, and anything that isn’t here can be secured quickly, again, because of that easy access.
Disadvantages
- Hot summers
Residents of Oakland know to hide indoors when the summer heat peaks in July, August, and September. The hottest day on record is 109 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s just not the kind of weather you want to be outside in at all. The weather ranks in the advantage category during the rest of the year.
- Traffic jam
Those stereotypical traffic jams from movies and TV shows aren’t a joke. They really happen, and Oakland is one of the places where you’ll find them. Long story short – the city’s population grew faster than the infrastructure could, so there are a lot more people on the roads than they were designed for. Get comfortable, you might be sitting for a while.
- Price tag
It’s expensive to live, work, or visit Oakland. The city has the nickname Taxland because its sales tax rates are higher than those of other cities in the state. Better crunch the budget numbers one more time because it will cost a bit more to use a film shoot location here.
Famous Locations in Oakland
- San Francisco Bay Ferry
The history of Oakland begins with Horace Carpentier and the ferry he started to San Francisco in 1852. So, it makes perfect sense that the San Francisco Bay Ferry is one of the famous locations in the city and a cool and relaxing way to enjoy both cities and the Bay.
- Bay Bridge Trail
The Bay Bridge Trail is also known as the Bay Bridge East Span Path. It connects Oakland with Yerba Buena Island. The trail is 15-feet wide, and a unique venting system means you’re not breathing in exhaust fumes from the passing cars. There are also several places to stop and enjoy the views while you cross. The bridge is 2.2 miles long, and you can enjoy Judge John Sutter Park on the Oakland side as well.
- Joaquin Miller Park
The Joaquin Miller Park is 500-acres of redwoods, oaks, and woodland trails that transport you to another time and place. The bustling cityscape melts away as you explore the trails with the branches arching over them. The park is popular with walkers, bicycles, dog owners, equestrians, and joggers, but there is plenty of space for everyone to spread out.
