Charles, et al,                                                                 
You can fly directly into OAK without contacting approach.                      
There are several ways.  Just get under the 1500' Class C                     
ceiling/floor and you can make an arrival as though it were                     
Class D.                                                                        
                                                                                
Arrivals from the northeast can arrive at or below 2500.                        
Callup: Oakland tower Cessan 561DE Orinda at 2500 with Alpha.                
Clearance will be a squawk and report over the Mormon Temple.                  
(Just over the hills) Or you may just be cleared to land 27R.                   
This is a 90-degree entry to downwind as was very necessary                     
when Alameda NAS was operating.  Some things are hard to change.                
Knowing about this option is nice when approach is busy.                   
                                                                                
Gene Whitt