San Francisco Bay Area

Palace of Fine ArtsWith its abundant natural beauty and temperate weather, the Bay Area offers endless opportunities for cultural exploration (the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the California Academy of Sciences, the Tech Museum of Innovation), recreation (Golden Gate Park, Point Reyes National Seashore, Napa Valley), nightlife (ethnic restaurants, dance clubs, and performing arts), and career growth (Oakland City Center, San Francisco's financial district, Silicon Valley).

Mills is located in the East Bay, in the city of Oakland—one of the few cities in the country with no ethnic nor racial majority, making it a remarkable place to learn about and experience other cultures.

ChinatownOakland itself is a city of neighborhoods, and you'll find shops, yoga studios, restaurants, theaters, and cafés sprinkled throughout downtown, Rockridge, Montclair Village, Piedmont Avenue, and Temescal and food ranging from Cambodian, Mexican, Italian, and Chinese to BBQ, pizza, donuts, and burgers.

Nearby is the University of California at Berkeley where, as a Mills student, you can cross-register for classes, expand your network of friends, and attend some great events and parties!

Things To Do In Oakland

  • Explore the waterfront neighborhood of Jack London Square.
  • Venture north along College Avenue toward Berkeley, window shopping and café hopping.
  • Stroll along Lakeshore Avenue and catch a movie at the historic Grand Lake Theatre.
  • Take an architectural tour of Old Oakland.
  • Watch a professional baseball, football, or basketball game, or attend a concert at the Oakland Coliseum or Oracle Arena.
  • Attend a festival, such as the Chinatown StreetFest, the Art and Soul Festival, or the Dia de los Muertos or Cinco de Mayo Festivals in Fruitvale.
  • Jog around the perimeter of Lake Merritt, the country's oldest national wildlife refuge.
  • Shop for fresh, organic produce at one of several local farmers' markets.
  • Savor coffee and dessert at nearby World Ground Café, owned by a Mills alumna.
  • Catch an outdoor summer concert near the Oakland Museum Sculpture Court.



Last Updated: 9/21/09