Waiting for the bus or rushing through Oakland, it's easy to take the detailed stonework of downtown's Beaux Arts buildings for granted. We all know and love the Fox Theater, but several smaller Art Deco gems are scattered through Uptown as well.

Oakland's Preservation Park dates back to the same era as the Painted Ladies in San Francisco, but with a Brazilian Cafe nestled in the trees for good measure. Oakland has so many beautiful historic buildings that the California Preservation Foundation just selected Oakland to host its annual conference.

As the weather gets warmer, what better way to explore Oakland's truly special collection of architecture than a guided tour with the city's free Walking Tour Program? 

Wednesdays and Saturdays in the summer, Annalee Allen and her fleet of volunteers lead curious onlookers through one of eight 90-minute itineraries. The tours examine a neighborhood and time through a leisurely and well-annotated walk.

Whether you're a lifelong architect or curious to learn more about the buildings you walk past each day, there's something new in each tour to expand your impression of Oakland.

The 2011 season kicks off with a special tour of Old Oakland at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 4. This tour starts in front of G.B. Ratto & Company at 821 Washington St.

Unable to make it on Wednesday? Check out the rest of the schedule of tours below or view tour brochure here.

• Old Oakland - When Oakland was the terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad, these Victorians were Oakland's downtown. Meet in front of G.B. Ratto & Co. at 821 Washington St.
• City Center - Tour Oakland through the eras. Start in front of the Beaux Art City Hall constructed after the turn of the last century, and travel all the way into the modern 20th century.
• Uptown - Take the Art Deco tour! Meet in front of the Paramount Theater.
• Preservation Park - This city block contains more than a dozen Victorian-era homes, in a veritable oasis of history. Meet at 13th and Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
• Chinatown - Learn about the contributions of Chinese and other Asian immigrants to the culture, economy and architecture of California and the Bay Area. Meet at the Pacific Renaissance Plaza Fountain.
• Waterfront - Explore the history of Jack London and Jack London Square along Oakland's waterfront. Meet at the Square entry arch at the start of Broadway.
• Churches and Temples - See the range of influences in Oakland's religious architecture. Meet in front of the First Presbyterian Church at Broadway and 27th Street.
• New Era, New Politics - Tour downtown through the lens of Oakland's African-American leaders. Meet in front of the African American Museum and Library at 14th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

You can RSVP for any tour by emailing Annalee Allen or calling (510) 238-3234.