Oakland , General info:
9/10

Oakland is the eighth-largest city in the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Alameda County. Oakland is located in Northern California in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Combined statistical area#Largest CSAs-twelveth-most-populous metropolitan area in the United States. Based on 2006 statistical data, Oakland is the 44th-largest city in the United States.

Rand McNally named Oakland as having the best weather in the United States.

Oakland is a major West Coast port, and is home to several major corporations including Kaiser Permanente and Clorox, as well as corporate headquarters for nationwide businesses like Dreyer's and Cost Plus World Markets.

Oakland , Cheap stuff:
8/10

Like any big city...

Oakland , Different stuff:
9/10

Symbols of Oakland’s arrival as a modern 20th century metropolis -- the Beaux Arts-style City hall and Rotunda Building, the Tribune Tower, and the Art Deco-style Financial Center building

Oakland , Don't miss:
8/10

Dunsmuir House, Grand Lake Theatre, Jack London Square, Lake Merritt, Children's Fairyland, Parkway Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Preservation Park, USS Potomac-National Historic Landmark

Oakland , Food:
9/10

Jack's Bistro, Horatio's, Garibaldi's on College, Citron, ...

Oakland , Hotels:
8/10

Clarion Suites Lake Merritt Restaurant & Hotel, Jack London Square Lodging, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Oakland Airport, Regency Inn, North Oakland, Executive Inn & Suites Embarcadero Cove, Oakland Marriott

Quality Inn, Imperial Inn, Fairfield Inn by Marriott

Oakland , Safety:
9/10

Not so safe in here ...

Seattle , General info:
5/10

Seattle is one of the best places to visit and live in the world. It sits between the Pacific Ocean and the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges.

Seattle , Cheap stuff:
7/10

All museums in Seattle are free on the first Thursday of every month.

The Pike Place Market or Fisherman's Market as it is sometimes called keeps you busy for hours and is free.

The beaches in Seattle are not crowed and very clean.

Seattle , Different stuff:
10/10

Seattle has a very large Asian population with lots of foods and clothing that you will not find elsewhere.

You can take trips to Underground Seattle. Where the city was located before the big Seattle fire.

The locks in Ballard are not only interesting, but free. You can see boats go from fresh to salt water. At certain times of the year you can see salmon returning from the ocean to spawn in the fresh water. The fish ladder as well as the locks are free.

Seattle , Don't miss:
5/10

Pike Place Market.,

Chinatown.

Alki Beach.

University of Washington campus with its libraries.

The many live theater in Seattle. (You can get half price tickets at the Pike Place Market at Ticket, Ticket)

Seattle , Food:
5/10

Between Salty's Brunch on Alki beach to dinner watching the sun go down at Ray's Boathouse on the salt water you cannot beat the seafood Seattle has to offer.

The Dim Sum at "House of Hong" in Chinatown is not only reasonably priced but internationally known as some of the best you can get. (One woman comes all the way from Poland just for their Dim Sum)

Seattle , Hotels:
10/10

If you are loaded there is the Sorento Hotel or the Fairmount Olympic. If you are looking for a mid priced place to stay, Silver Cloud on Lake Union is a great find. Or if you want there are many great Bed and Breakfast for a reasonable price.

Seattle , Safety:
7/10

There is very little crime in Seattle. Outside of a few drunk University students around the campus doing what I did many years ago, you will be very happy in all of the city.