Is Oakland Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Updated On November 7, 2023
Oakland, United States
Safety Index:
57
* Based on Research & Crime Data
User Sentiment:
57
* Rated 57 / 100 based on 14 user reviews.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  1. You can report any crime or suspicious activity using the online form available on the Oakland Police Department website or go to a station in person. You can choose to leave your contact information or remain anonymous.
  2. If you feel the police have discriminated against you or wronged you in any way, there is also a form to report accusations of police misconduct on the website. This is a city where tension between the community and law enforcement can be palpable.
  3. Review the latest crime reports on the website before you go. With crime growing at such a high rate and bleeding into once safe neighborhoods, you can’t afford to go on outdated internet information. Crime data is available per year or quarter, and you can also search for the different districts for crime since it’s such a large city.
  4. Just because San Francisco looks close doesn’t mean it is. The Google Map estimate of 15 minutes from Oakland to San Francisco and back is just that – an estimate. During high traffic, it can be upwards of 90 minutes to cross the bridge.
  5. Sign up for emergency alerts on the city or OPD website. You can get information about weather events, air quality, crimes and civil disturbances that could impact your visit. The alerts will be county wide and cover any issue in Alameda County. If you want updates from other counties or cities in the Bay Area, you’ll need to sign up for those separately.
  6. The city of Oakland works with SpotAngels to help drivers find parking spots before they end up driving around endlessly looking for a spot. You’ll be able to find parking lots, garages, and street parking while knowing how much it will cost and how to pay for the meter if applicable.
  7. Look at the Staying Safe section of the city’s website to read through a variety of crime prevention tips. Pay special attention to the auto theft section, as the rate of auto thefts here is nearly eight times higher than the national average. If you are going to use BART during your visit, please read the “Avoid Being a Robbery Victim” article, as police state “thieves tend to look for victims there (at BART stations)”. It is also suggested you don’t walk around in public using your phone. Social media reports reveal some thieves will just walk up and take the phone right out of your hand.
  8. Visit as many places as you can during the daytime. With such a cultural melting pot of things to see and do, you don’t want to miss the things that make Oakland unique, but you also don’t want to risk being a crime victim and the risk goes up at night. If you are going to be drinking while you’re here, travel in a group and never try to walk long distances.
  9. You cannot walk from Oakland to San Francisco, but you can get from Oakland across the bridge to Yerba Buena Island (more than halfway to San Francisco). At some point the walkway will expand, but no set date exists for that. Also, the bridge was impacted by the big earthquake in 1989, but was repaired with special reinforcement for earthquake protection.
  10. You might feel earthquake rumbles while you are here, and you might be surprised that it’s just not a big deal to locals. You should never run inside if you are outside during an earthquake. If you are inside, don’t run outside. Find a sturdy desk or piece of furniture to hide under until the shaking stops. You can ready Alameda County’s emergency management plan to learn more about earthquake safety.

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?

CitySafety Index
Oakland57
Dallas64
Orlando64
Las Vegas62
San Francisco61
Philadelphia60
Houston59
Vienna (Austria)88
Hong Kong (China)70
Manama (Bahrain)54
Tianjin (China)67
Brussels (Belgium)60
Shanghai (China)66

Useful Information

Visas

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

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

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

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

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.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Oakland Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 11° C
Feb 13° C
Mar 14° C
Apr 15° C
May 16° C
Jun 18° C
Jul 18° C
Aug 19° C
Sep 19° C
Oct 18° C
Nov 14° C
Dec 11° C
Choose Temperature Unit

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High
°C
151718192022222324221815
Low
°C
79910121314141413107
High
°F
596364666872727375726459
Low
°F
454848505455575757555045

California - Safety by City

CitySafety Index
Alameda86
Alhambra84
Anaheim73
Bakersfield66
Barstow62
Berkeley64
Burbank86
Chino Hills82
Chula Vista81
Compton41
Concord74
Costa Mesa83
Daly City76
El Cajon86
El Monte76
Escondido91
Eureka87
Fairfield85
Fontana68
Fremont74
Fresno38
Fullerton74
Garden Grove78
Hawthorne62
Hayward87
Hemet65
Huntington Beach78
Indio89
Inglewood68
Irvine82
Lake Forest83
Lancaster64
Livermore87
Long Beach63
Los Angeles56
Merced92
Milpitas91
Mission Viejo85
Modesto64
Moreno Valley82
Mountain View87
Newport Beach84
Norwalk79
Oakland57
Oceanside85
Oxnard63
Palm Springs65
Palmdale78
Pasadena78
Pomona61
Rancho Cucamonga91
Redding71
Redlands86
Redondo Beach88
Redwood City85
Rialto58
Riverside57
Sacramento51
Salinas64
San Bernardino63
San Diego67
San Francisco61
San Jose58
San Leandro78
San Luis Obispo88
San Mateo84
Santa Ana71
Santa Barbara72
Santa Clara82
Santa Clarita76
Santa Cruz94
Santa Monica64
Santa Rosa91
Simi Valley84
South Gate63
Stockton38
Sunnyvale87
Temecula87
Thousand Oaks86
Torrance86
Union City88
Vallejo65
Ventura76
Victorville63
West Covina88
Yreka93

Where to Next?

14 Reviews on Oakland

  1. don't be alone, don't get lost

    dangerous and too many homeless. asians being attacked during daytime at lake merritt

  2. Demilitarized Zone

    if you value your life and valuables you’ll steer clear of Oakland.

  3. N
    NorCalLifer says:

    Oakland is a pit

    Some of these CA reviews really need updating. I have lived in NorCal my entire life and I have seen the Bay Area rapidly deteriorate over the last decade. Oakland is no exception. Homeless problem is out of control with tents everywhere. Crime is rampant. Just recently the bishop of Oakland was robbed while walking on the street during the day. Just like the rest of CA, criminals are being arrested in Oakland and the jails are releasing them the same day due to overcrowding and COVID concerns. Also, our DAs are not prosecuting people! I recommend going to another area of CA like Monterey, San Luis Obispo, or Napa counties. They are much nicer areas.

    1. I am glad people are pointing this out. I lived in the Oakland area for 15 years and had to call it quits last year and move out of state. I am now in Arizona. I just couldn’t stand to be in a place that was this filthy, ridden with crime, and having issues all over the place. California used to be a place of dreams now it is just a state where dreams go to die. It is hell on earth. I would rather live in New York City than anywhere in Cali. It has never been very safe but at this point, I wouldn’t feel safe taking my dog out to pee.

    2. S
      Sheila in GA says:

      Why is Newsome reelected over and over again? He does zero for the law-abiding citizens of California. I just don’t get it. Stay safe.

  4. C
    Concerned citizen says:

    I have lived in the SF bay area for over 60 years and have seen Oakland continue to spiral downward. This website describes being able to see the Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors are not in Oakland anymore, neither are the Raiders, and the A’s are looking to buy property in Las Vegas. The current admin is 0-3 in pro sports. Nothing to see in Oakland except maybe a crime scene or be a victim of burglary, vehicle theft, or robbery. Please update your ratings to truly reflect the criminal environment. There doesn’t appear to be much support for law enforcement. To remain safe, stay on Interstate 580 and bypass the city.

  5. Oakland is getting worse by the day

    Oakland used to be safer but not anymore. The homeless problem is getting out of hand. Many, many problems here and I would not come here to visit, not now. Like someone already said, Monterey or the Napa counties are much safer and interesting places to visit nowadays.

  6. Visit Oakland

    I am a woman who lived and worked in Oakland for over 30 years, and I never had trouble. There was an incident of a series of Honda Accord exterior parts removal one night in our neighborhood, but the perpetrators were from San Francisco. As far as walking around downtown during the day or around the beautiful Lake Merritt, I never experienced anything where I felt threatened. If you’re a young woman, a guy may occasionally speak to you, but I learned to laugh at what most of them said. I loved it there, and only moved because I had to due to a change in financial status. Don’t be afraid to go there, and just use the same common sense you would in any big city.

  7. Smash and grab city

    Just flew into and out of Oakland and may have been the most unsafe feeling of my life. With my 3 month old baby and wife in the backseat of our rental car at the gas station just outside of the airport we witnessed two vehicles get the windows smashed with crowbars and luggage stolen, with the people still inside the car. Google it, seems to happen every single day at the same gas station and the cops do absolutely nothing.

  8. Oakland is not safe

    I was visiting San Francisco and decided to head into Oakland to see what it was all about. Although I knew it was semi dangerous, I didn’t think it was as bad as it was. Homeless, everywhere. Within the first 15 minutes of me waking on the street I was already getting called from a group of guys in a side alleyway to come over, and I’m not a small guy. I saw someone break into a car and take some belongings within the hour. The Uber I took into the city told me to be very careful and that I should leave quickly if I don’t need to be there. Don’t travel to Oakland, it’s not worth it. Nothing special there but crime, homeless, and dirty streets.

  9. A
    Anonymous says:

    Oakland is a pit of despair

  10. C
    Caroline Garcia says:

    Safety in Oakland can vary depending on where you go and what time of day it is. During my recent trip, I found that sticking to popular tourist attractions and well-populated areas generally felt secure.

  11. A
    Andrew Reyes says:

    I live in Oakland and love sharing its hidden gems with visitors. While it’s true that some neighborhoods have higher crime rates, many parts of the city are perfectly safe for tourists.

  12. S
    Susan Baker says:

    My friends and I traveled to Oakland for a weekend getaway and had a blast! We followed common safety tips like avoiding sketchy areas at night and keeping our belongings secure, and we didn’t encounter any issues. It’s a diverse and culturally rich city worth exploring.

Oakland Rated 2.86 / 5 based on 14 user reviews.

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