Baron 58/58TC
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 125; Flight Crew Total 1345; Flight Crew Type 185
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
As I prepared to depart VFR from OAK to ZZZ; under the San Francisco Class B; I realized I had no familiarity with the routing for a VFR flight between the two. I asked OAK ground for VFR flight following and was advised I would be handed off to the North Tower; and was given a squawk code. Just prior to departure; the tower controller told me she was coordinating the type of departure I would have; and eventually advised me to make a right 270 and cross over 'the 30 numbers.' I acknowledged and departed. Once reaching 400 feet I began my turn. I don't fly VFR out of the Oakland area often enough; and she advised that in the future; they would appreciate a turn sooner. I crossed the 30 numbers at 1400 MSL and was advised to contact the north tower. I had already programmed the ZZZ tower frequency into my com2; and selected that frequency. Once I made contact with ZZZ; a non flying pilot seated next to me; who was not controlling any part of the flight; mentioned that he thought she said contact the 'north tower;' not 'contact ZZZ tower.' That statement caused doubt in my mind.Once I checked on with ZZZ tower; the controller told me that I had apparently flown through OAK Class C without talking to them. We bantered briefly; but he finally got the point that I did not check in with the North Tower at OAK; but that I did depart from their airport. (I'm sure he just misunderstood OAK; who probably called ZZZ to have them scold me; which I deserved).ZZZ then told me to enter a right downwind for runway XY; 'report [radio tower].' I had never flown in that part of the Bay Area (N-N/E of ZZZ from OAK); and did not know where [the radio tower] was. I did not tell him. I passed [radio tower]; 2 miles east at 1400 MSL. Tower then directed my attention to a westerly direction; into the sun; to locate the red and white towers; which I did not see until I was not looking into the sun glaring off of the bay any longer. He gave me grace and told me to enter a right base for XY and asked if I had the field in sight. Again; I was looking into the sun and could NOT see the airport; and neither could the non flying pilot. ZZZ is very difficult to see. It was in my GPS for reference; however.I am embarrassed at my performance yesterday. I am a striving professional and fly to ZZZ VFR regularly. There are so many waypoints in the Bay; and I simply don't know them all. In addition; since I had programmed ZZZ tower into my com2; and was loaded up just trying to remain clear of the class B; I failed to respond appropriately by calling the north tower. Although I was quite inquisitive as to 'what can I expect' with OAK ground; I will endeavor to know local waypoints and procedures in this airspace for my next VFR flight in that area.
BE-58 pilot reported some difficulties complying with their clearance after departing from OAK.