Free attractions for your Oakland excursion
If you're considering a vacation to California's Bay Area, make it a retreat to Oakland. Situated just across the bridge from San Francisco, it's only a short 10-mile drive in your Oakland car rental from the City by the Bay. It may not have as many attractions as its neighboring city, but there's still plenty to do here, and it's much more affordable. You can save money with Thrifty Car Rental's excellent Oakland deals on transportation, and stick to your budget by visiting these free hotspots:
Oakland Museum of California
Visitors can use their Oakland rental cars to get to the Oakland Museum of California, situated on Oak Street. Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The galleries and exhibits combine art, natural science and California history, and more than 300,000 square feet. Check out "Bay Motion: Capturing San Francisco Bay on Film," which brings together 60,000 films from the Prelinger Archives that look at the Bay Area from a diverse array of angles. Another highlight is "The Smallest of Worlds," a display of photos by artist Rex May portraying everyday life in Mexico.
Morcom Rose Garden
Step out of your Oakland car rental and out into the fresh, fragrant air at the Morcom Rose Garden. The free site's main feature is the "Amphitheatre of Roses," a breathtaking landscape that often hosts weddings and other celebrations because of its immense beauty. Throughout the grounds, you'll find much more than just roses - the flowers vary by season and include both regional and exotic varieties, providing a lovely backdrop for your vacation photos. Be sure to bring along a picnic to enjoy near the colorful display.