Claiborne, 51, news anchor of the program's weekend edition, was busy introducing Oakland to millions of viewers.

"Good Morning America Weekend Edition" was launched in September. The program's "Weekend Window" segment, which airs at the end of the Sunday show, features a unique place. During the month of May, newscasters take viewers to their hometowns. Claiborne's episode airs May 15.

Though Claiborne only lived in Oakland for five years in the late 1950s, childhood memories left an impression. He couldn't resist visiting his boyhood stomping grounds on Calmar Avenue, Crocker Highlands Elementary, Lake Merritt and a nearby hamburger joint.

"This is the place I always think of as my childhood home," said Claiborne, standing in front of the neatly trimmed two-story house where he once lived. He fondly remembered the view of the Golden Gate Bridge from his second-story bedroom window, the sound of sonic booms before the era of noise regulation and the times he played Hula Hoop on the hilly street.

Over the years, some things have changed.

Everything seems smaller and closer together than he remembered. There weren't as many trees on the street as now. A house stood where he had once played in an empty yard.

The best things, however, don't change, especially when it comes to meeting old friends.

"Remember the school principal?" asked Ocie Henderson, Claiborne's best childhood friend and Crocker Highlands classmate.

"Mr. Miner, the '49er?" said Claiborne, laughing at the rhyme. Like two mischievous boys, the men surprised another childhood friend Barbara Bruce who still lives a few houses down. Claiborne had not seen Henderson or Bruce in more than 40 years.

"It's good to see a person from Oakland do well," said Henderson, whose mother lives across the street from Claiborne's old house. "It's heartfelt that he thought enough of us and came back."

Since joining ABC News in 1986, Claiborne has reported from around the world, including the Middle East, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Persian Gulf. He began his journalism career at the Richmond Independent in 1976.

The drive through Oakland didn't quite bring tears to Claiborne's eyes, but it did flood him with emotions and inspiration.

"I hope they think anything's possible," he said of the children at Crocker Highlands who flocked to him for autographs and peppered him with questions.

"I wondered how emotional the visit would be and thought the reality would be anti-climatic," Claiborne said. "I didn't expect it, it was very emotional. More than nostalgic, the experience has been uplifting. Oakland is more beautiful and attractive than people think."