photo CC BY 2.0 by Sharon Hahn Darlin
The California Hotel, located in West Oakland, was built in the late 1920s. Serving as a venue for notable blues and jazz performers, the California Hotel hosted the likes of Billie Holiday, James Brown, and Ray Charles.
The California Hotel also had a Big Mambo and Afro Cuban scene in the late 1940s and 50s. Pete Escovedo got his start playing at the California Hotel. It was popular with both jazz and Latin music lovers. Other Performers like Carlos Federico Benny Velarde and Cal Tjader performed at the California hotel.
Over time the hotel fell into disrepair and that, coupled with the decline in the neighborhood, as well as financial difficulties, caused the closure of the hotel in 1971.
The hotel was converted into low income housing by the Oakland Community Housing, Inc. (OCHI) in the 1980's.
In 1988 the California Hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
After OCHI ceased operations in 2007, residents refused attempts to evict them from the hotel. A trustee was appointed by the court who continued to operate the hotel so residents could stay.
In 2011 the California Hotel was purchased by the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) which renovated the building with $18.4 million in city redevelopment funds and private donations.
On July 25, 2012 local officials gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking for the renovation of the historic California Hotel.
The Magnolia Street Wine Lounge opened in the ground floor in 2020.
California Hotel, Oakland, California (circa 1930) 1
photo CC BY-NC 2.0 by Jeremy Brooks
photo CC BY 2.0 by Sonny Abesamis
Location
3501 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, California
Links and References
- California Hotel Route40
- New Hotel on San Pablo Announced Oakland Tribune October 27, 1929
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Oakland celebrates groundbreaking for renovation of historic California Hotel Oakland North
- Oakland's California Hotel to see a complete overhaul Oakland Local
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California Hotel property page and Ground Breaking East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation
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Residents in Oakland's California Hotel Threatened with Eviction Indy Bay
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City of Oakland Raids California Hotel Beyond Chron
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Help Shape Plans for the California Hotel Oakland Local
- After 50 years, Pete Escovedo leaves Northern California, but his legacy remains Metroactive Music
- Magnolia Street Wine Lounge opens its doors in West Oakland with community in mind Oaklandside October 27, 2020