Downtown Oakland, Sand Dunes, and Building Stones Walking Tour

Oakland is rich in geology, and not all of is it up in the hills. Our city’s buildings have taken advantage of structural and ornamental stone from California and from all over the world. Starting at the 19th Street BART station and ending at City Hall, this walk visits some of the stones on display in building walls, floors, facades and entryways. We’ll learn what geology tells us about these rocks, and how they represent Oakland’s historic changes in commerce, architecture and civic style. A 2 mile, level walk

Meeting Location: The 19th Street BART station, at the northwest corner of Broadway and Thomas Berkley Way ( 20th Street). There is limited 2-hour metered parking nearby.

Tour Guide: Andrew Alden is a geologist and geoscience writer who has worked for the US Geological Survey and reported for KQED and Bay Nature. Long fascinated with rocks and landscapes, Alden is one of the foremost experts on Oakland’s natural history and found inspiration for his debut book, Deep Oakland, in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which, as he writes, “ripped the city open and revealed to us its heart and character.” Through his writing Alden raises awareness for what he calls the deep present: the appreciation of the ancient underpinnings that shape the modern-day surroundings of daily life. His website is oaklandgeology.com.

NOTES:

• PLEASE MEET 15 MINUTES BEFORE listed time to allow for registration.
• We kindly request you register in advance. In-person registration will be first-come-first-served on a space available basis. We cannot guarantee a spot will be available.
• We offer fee waivers for limited income residents— just ask!
• Comfortable walking shoes, sun hats and sunscreen are recommended. Bring water.
• Vouchers, limited-income accommodation, and any other special circumstances should be handled in advance. Please email [email protected] for assistance
• Check your email the morning of the walking tour for any last-minute changes, clarifications, or cancellation.
• If you need assistance navigating Eventbrite, please reach out to us at [email protected] or call our office at (510) 763-9218 and we’d be happy to help.
• Due to the ongoing presence of Covid, we will continue to make masks available. If you feel ill the day of a tour, please stay home. If after a tour, you become ill and test positive, please let us know as soon as possible. Thank you.
• Please check out the profiles of tour leaders. We are grateful for their skill and generosity.
• These tours support Oakland Heritage Alliance, a non-profit that tells Oakland’s story through walking tours, lectures, newsletters and advocacy. We welcome volunteers and new members!

Accessibility Note: Walk will take place on city sidewalks and are expected to be paved and accessible for those using mobility devices.

About Oakland Heritage Alliance

Oakland Heritage Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization which advocates the protection, preservation, and revitalization of Oakland's architectural, historic, cultural and natural resources through publications, education, and direct action.

Host or Publisher Oakland Heritage Alliance