Car Rental Oakland, CA

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Oakland, California is located on San Francisco Bay, and is named for the evergreen oaks that grow throughout the entire area. The city is home to 399,484 people. This large number is due in part to the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, when 50,000 refugees moved to Oakland. During World War I the city was the center of shipbuilding.

The city received national attention for the 1989 earthquake, which collapsed portions of the double-decked Nimitz Freeway (Interstate 880).

The locals in the area are known as Oaklanders. Some famous Oaklanders include: M.C. Hammer (rapper), Jack London (author), Mark Hamill (actor), Amy Tan (author), and Gertrude Stein (writer). The city has been the location of several movie sets, including the 1986 "Howard the Duck", and the 1988 "Who Framed Roger Rabbit". Oakland's NFL team is the Raiders.

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Must-See places to visit include: Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach, Lake Merritt, Anthony Chabot Regional Park, Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve, Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline, Redwood Regional Park, Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Oakland Zoo, Children's Fairyland, Oakland Museum of California, Camron-Stanford House, Chabot Observatory, African-American Museum, Jack London Museum, Museum of Children's Art, Western Aerospace Museum, Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Oakland Ballet Company, and the Eddie Moore Jazz Festival in August.

Driving Regulations In California
If you are a visitor in California over 18 years old and have a valid driver license from your home state or country (where you live permanently), you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license as long as your home state license remains valid. Seat belts must be worn by all drivers and passengers, including any passenger who is age six or older and weighs over 60 lbs. A child passenger restraint system is required for any child who is under the age of six and weighs 60 pounds or less.

Speed Limits In California
California's "Basic Speed Law" says that you must never drive faster than is safe for the current conditions. No matter what the speed limit sign may say your speed should depend on:

Area	Limit
Highways	65-70 MPH
2-Lane Undivided Highways	55 MPH
Business & Residential Areas	25 MPH
Around School Areas	25 MPH
Alleyways	15 MPH

Drinking And Driving Laws In California
The blood alcohol limit is 0.08. First offense may result in license suspension or revocation, independent of any jail, fine, or other criminal penalty imposed in court for the driving under the influence offense.

Helpful Telephone Numbers
Here are some telephone numbers you may find useful during your trip in California.

• Oakland AAA
  Roadside Assistance: 800-400-4AAA

• Fire or Police (Emergency): 911
  Police (Non-Emergency): (510) 777-3333