Hugh Dimond settled in upper Fruitvale near Sausal Creek in 1867. The City of Oakland purchased the land that is now Dimond Park in 1917. A visit to this beautiful, 14 acre park will show you pieces of Hugh Dimond’s original Estate, an expansive open space with tall redwoods and mighty oaks, children’s playgrounds, several picnic areas, a public swimming pool, and a gorgeous, wooded canyon carved by Sausal Creek and the Dimond Canyon trail system.
Beer gardens along Hopkins Street, what is now MacArthur Blvd, entertained vacationers and the few thousand residents of Dimond prior to prohibition. Tepper’s Hotel, pictured below, along with Bauerhofer’s and other attractions including a French restaurant and dance halls, brought patrons from the lush orchards to the streets of Dimond and the Fruitvale.
Oakland’s Dimond neighborhood is currently one of the most diverse districts in the city. Families enjoy the open space and proximity to excellent public and private schools. Located at Fruitvale Ave and MacArthur Blvd, the district is easily accessible from I-580, Fruitvale BART, and Hwy 13, and hosts a vibrant mix of businesses offering plenty of free parking.
The Dimond Business & Professional Association was established in 1946, and is among Oakland’s oldest business districts. For a complete list of DB&PA members, visit:
The all volunteer Dimond Improvement Association (DIA) was established in 1953, and continues to work with the City of Oakland to insure public safety, beautify the district, and create community through several annual events including the DIA Picnic, the Winter Festival and our district’s biggest event co-hosted with the DB&PA – Oaktoberfest in the Dimond!
