Our Mission & History
Oakland Chinatown History
Oakland Chinatown (屋崙華埠) is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States. In the 1850s, the Chinese were the first Asian groups who traveled to California to help build the Central Pacific Railroad. Many of Chinese migrants first settled near the Oakland Estuary at 1st Street and Castro, after previous several moves around the downtown area. Because of the Chinese Exclusion Act and exclusive local law, after 1882 they were forced to resettle at the current location which is now known as Oakland Chinatown. After the San Francisco earthquake in 1906, a large number of Asian migrants moved from San Francisco to Oakland to rebuild their homes.
About Oakland Chinatown
Located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Oakland's Chinatown is surrounded by San Francisco to the West, Napa Valley to the North and Silicon Valley to the South. The East Bay is the home of Oakland and just on the edge of downtown Oakland lies one of the city's most active enclaves, Oakland Chinatown. The area is a showcase of Asian cultures, restaurants, shops.
In just sixteen square blocks, visitors can explore the offerings of much of Asia. Visitors to this downtown neighborhood will find dozens of fascinating, eclectic stores and open-air markets that carry fresh, high-quality produce, live seafood, healing herbs, and a plethora of retail goods - everything from chopsticks and stress relievers to fine china and porcelain.
The hub of Chinatown is the Pacific Renaissance Plaza, a multi-story residential and commercial complex, which houses a large underground parking garage and features two levels of shops and restaurants. The plaza is also home to the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Asian branch of the Oakland Public Library, and the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce.
Despite its name, Chinatown is home not only to ethnic Chinese. Its businesses and its residents hail from countries throughout Asia, with the majority from Vietnam, as well as Korea and Japan. As the face of Chinatown changes and grows, the area develops even more cultural offerings for visitors and residents, from food to shops to services.
Chinatown's proximity to Downtown Oakland, Old Oakland, Jack London Square and Lake Merritt makes it an exciting and convenient addition to any trip to Oakland.
Oakland Chinatown (屋崙華埠) is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States.
Oakland Chinatown offers services to support the daily needs of all Asian immigrants. For example, family associations help facilitate travel between China and the United States. Some of these services included assistance with transferring money, shipping the hometown goods, and job searching and marriage arrangement for families.
Oakland Chinatown has been the go-to area for services and a resource hub for East Bay Asian Americans.
There are no gates in Oakland Chinatown, and the town itself naturally blends into nearby neighborhoods with old town, downtown and city center areas.
Inspired by the story of Chinese junk boat sailor, Wa Sung, who sailed from Taiwan to San Francisco, the Chinese used his story about the junk boat to symbolize all the blood and tears and helped families to root in California. Wa Sung Community Service Club decided to fund a playground with a junk boat for toddlers in Lincoln Square Park. After 40 years of continuous advocacy and maintenance by the City of Oakland, the junk boat playground is now popularly known as one of the sites for students and residents in Chinatown.
There are nine tea shops, 45 restaurants, and more than 222 stores in Oakland Chinatown. A lot of new generation Asians follow their families’ footsteps in starting a business in Chinatown.
You can find up to 8 Asian languages of books in the Oakland Public Library Asian Branch.
Opened in 1957, The Fortune Cookie Factory located in Oakland, Chinatown is one of the oldest fortune cookie makers in the Bay Area, stretching back three generations.
The Chamber
Our Mission
"To promote and advocate for business and trade in the Oakland Asian Community"
Our Scope of Influence
"A forum for the discussion of government policies; a recognized point of contact for the Asian community to actively voice concerns over economic and social issues."
Our History
The Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1985 by a group of local business people to promote business in the Asian community and provide a forum for the discussion of government policies.
Today, the Chamber represents over 300 members in a wide range of business industries in Oakland Chinatown and the East Bay.
What We Do
Hosts numerous events that give our members opportunities to network with others and promote their business
Promotes events that drive more traffic into Oakland Chinatown and help generate more opportunities for our local merchants and business professionals
Hosts meetings and luncheons with international trade delegations to promote international trade between our members and businesses abroad
Conducts small business training seminars and community meetings so that our members are made aware of changes in business practices, laws, and policies
Communicates community issues and changes to our members through our monthly Dragon Tales Newsletter
Takes an active role in identifying community issues and advocates for policy changes and the needs of our members
Collaborates with other community groups and government entities for the benefit of the Oakland Asian community and business owners