.Best Organization for Group Walks

If you’re interested in urban exploring in Oakland, the city has many great options for scenic walks through beautiful parks as well as trips through historically and culturally important streets and neighborhoods. And even for longtime Oaklanders, there are many hidden gems in the city that can be explored on foot. Oakland Urban Paths, an informal walking group, offers consistently great options for native residents and transplants alike. Local resident Gene Anderson, who runs the blog OurOakland.net, coordinates and publicizes group walks through OaklandUrbanPaths.org, typically organizing trips every second Saturday of the month. Anderson incorporates fascinating history lessons into each group walk, often recruiting local historians and Oakland experts to lead the way and pass along their knowledge. Some trips attract as many as one hundred participants, making the walks a great way to meet neighbors who share a passion for Oakland’s history and natural resources. There’s no better way to learn about your city — and it doesn’t hurt that you burn some calories along the way. Anderson also publishes in-depth posts and photos after the trip, making his website a great resource for others who want to follow in the group’s footsteps.