The Cathedral of Learning dominates the Oakland skyline
Oakland is the academic center of Pittsburgh, and the third largest "downtown" area in the state of Pennsylvania, behind only Center City, Philadelphia, and Downtown Pittsburgh. This neighborhood is home to several colleges and universities, art museums, history centers, arcades, art cinemas, live entertainment, restaurants, and a large student population. Oakland itself is divided into four districts, North, South, Central, and West.
North Oakland
North Oakland can be loosely defined as the area of Oakland between Neville and Bouquet streets, encompassing all of Craig street and running North to Polish Hill . The Cathedral of Learning, the Engineering section of the University of Pittsburgh campus, and the Craig Street business district are all found in North Oakland.
South Oakland
South Oakland runs along the Monongahela River and makes a triangular shape between the Penn-Lincoln Highway , the Boulevard of the Allies , and Parkview avenue. South Oakland, affectionately referred to as "Souf Oaklin" by its inhabitants, was the childhood home of Dan Marino and Andy Warhol, and now home to many Pitt upperclassmen. It is known at the University as the place to be on weekend nights for Keggers and Frat parties.
Central Oakland
Central Oakland is bordered by Schenley Park, the Boulevard of the Allies, Fifth Avenue, and Halket street. This is where the majority of non-dormitory students reside throughout the school year. It is home to many of favorite eateries for students, fraternity houses, and club houses.
West Oakland
West Oakland, the smallest of the four districts, is bordered by Fifth Avenue in the south, De Soto street in the east, and Terrace Village to the north. Magee Women's Hospital , most of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center , and Carlow College can be found there.
More about Oakland
Oakland as a whole is bordered by Shadyside , Squirrel Hill, the Hill District, Greenfield, Bloomfield, and the Bluff .
Oakland is home to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, sponsor of the annual Greek Food Festival. It was also the site of Forbes Field before Three Rivers Stadium was built.
Oakland natives include Andy Warhol and Gertrude Stein, whose famous remark ("There's no there there") is frequently and erroneously thought to apply to Oakland, California, a fact for which boosters of her hometown are no doubt grateful.
Major Institutions