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Jack London Square, an inviting mixed-use waterfront area perched on the edge of San Francisco Bay in Oakland, offers outdoor fun with indoor diversions. Shopping and dining amidst the bobbing boats in the marina, taking advantage of some of the water
activities that are offered, or just relaxing in the wide-open palm-studded plazas are excellent ways to while away the day.
When the sun’s up and shining, paddle a kayak around the adjacent Oakland Estuary, especially lively during the fall bird migration. You’ll also get great views of the oddly creature-like dock cranes used to load cargo ships. Urban legend says the cranes inspired local filmmaker George Lucas to create the ominous AT-AT Walkers in Star Wars; true or not, the cranes do resemble the movie’s creepy four-legged tanks.
Post paddle, stroll the square—their website has a good map—to visit shops, or tour two historic vessels: the Lightship Relief, a floating lighthouse which aided navigation along various U.S. coastlines from 1951 to 1974, and the USS Potomac, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s historic yacht (ask about bay cruises). Dine at inviting options
like Baia for organic pasta, or have crab cake benedict for brunch at Oakland Grill. Overlooking the waterfront in the square is also Plank, a restaurant and sprawling beer garden where you can bowl and play bocce ; Yoshi’s, a music venue and Japanese restaurant that has been a mainstay in the area almost half a century, continues to host top jazz acts and artists of other genres. A weekly Sunday farmers market and the Regal Cinemas Jack London Stadium 9 movie theater add to Jack London Square’s neighborhood-y appeal.
The square is named after the intrepid adventurer and author of Call of the
Wild and The Sea Wolf, a book allegedly inspired by tall tales told by the crusty folk who frequented the legendary—and still open—Heinhold’s First and Last Chance Saloon. Near the sloped entrance to the historic watering hole, the wall hands on the wall clock haven’t budged since April 18, 1906—the moment a massive quake struck the Bay Area, and jolted the building so much the timepiece stopped ticking. Time may have stopped, but not service, and stepping down into this little wooden shack is about as about as close to jumping into a time warp as you can get: 19th-century gas lamps glow each evening, throwing a flickering light onto World War II photographs and memorabilia, and a small photo of a young London sitting at one of the saloon’s tables adorns a wall. Settle in and talk to your elbow-mate at the bar; you never know what tall tales you might hear.
Insider tips: Before heading to JLS, check out their calendar of events to see what’s coming up. If coming from San Francisco, it’s an option to take the San Francisco Bay Ferry straight to Jack London Square Terminal.
TRIP ADVISOR – RESTAURANTS (within 5-10 minute WALK from Waterfront Hotel) – Over 200 restaurants listed. Here are a few: https://www.tripadvisor.com/RestaurantsNear-g32810-d117245-Jack_Lo ndon_Square-Oakland_California.html
1)

#167 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
- reviews 463 2nd St
0.1 miles from Jack London Square
2)

#188 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
- reviews 55 Webster St
0.1 miles from Jack London Square
3)

#554 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
- reviews 398 3rd St
0.2 miles from Jack London Square “Simple but sooo good” 08/25/2016
“Old School Chinese Food in the…” 01/29/2015
4)

#178 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
505 Embarcadero West Jack London Square
0.1 miles from Jack London Square
5)

#165 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
- reviews 364 2nd St
0.3 miles from Jack London Square
6)

#446 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
- reviews 101 Broadway
0.1 miles from Jack London Square “CentoUno Is Molto Buono!”
7) Chinatown, Oakland restaurants – many. Only a 15-20 minute
WALK from the Waterfront Hotel

850 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
510-839-8815
Cambodian, Asian$$ – $$$
“Best Cambodian Food, Best Service and…”

Bay Fung Tong Seafood Tea House
1916 Franklin St, Oakland, CA 94612
Chinese, Seafood $$ – $$$Menu

Rang Dong Restaurant
724 Webster St, Oakland, CA 94607
1 510-835-8375
Vietnamese $$ – $$$
“Good portions = comfort food”
“Most generous meat content in Pho”

1068 Webster St, Oakland, CA 94607
1 510-251-9882 – Open ‘til 4:00-5:00 a.m.
Chinese, Asian
“Busy with Asian customers = good sign for…”
8)

#119 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
- reviews 44 Webster St
0.2 miles from Jack London Square Cuisines: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
9)

Everett & Jones Barbeque – Dotha’s Juke Joint
#39 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
- reviews 126 Broadway
0.1 miles from Jack London Square Cuisines: American, Barbecue, Live BLUES music
10)

Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine
#117 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
- reviews 336 Water St
0.1 miles from Jack London Square Cuisines: Asian, Thai
11)

#9 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
201 Washington St
0.2 miles from Jack London Square
Cuisines: American, International
12)

#16 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
66 Franklin St. Suite 100
0.1 miles from Jack London Square
Cuisines: American, Bar, Pizza
13)

#444 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
- 11 reviews 303 Broadway
0.2 miles from Jack London Square Cuisines: Sushi, Japanese
14)

#283 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
- reviews 310 Broadway
0.2 miles from Jack London Square Cuisines: Peruvian, Latin, Spanish
15)

#53 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
1 Broadway Jack London Square
0 miles from Jack London Square
In the Waterfront Hotel
Cuisines: Italian
16)

#74 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
301 Franklin St
0.2 miles from Jack London Square “Awesome breakfast!” 09/09/2019 “VERY COOL” 09/01/2019
17)
#370 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
- reviews 101 Broadway
0.1 miles from Jack London Square “Taco Tuesday” 09/29/2017 “Great burgers” 09/19/2017 Cuisines: Mexican, American
18)

#138 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
98 Broadway Jack London Square
0 miles from Jack London Square
“Fun Place, Good Food” 03/20/2020
“A lot going on. . . .” 11/28/2019
Cuisines: American, Bar, Live JAZZ
19)

#10 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
- reviews 2 Broadway
0 miles from Jack London Square
“Beautiful view of the waterway…” 04/17/2021 “Great place for a romantic din…” 11/13/2020 Cuisines: American, Seafood
20)

#90 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
- reviews 131 Broadway
0.1 miles from Jack London Square
“Slainte a great surprise!” 03/15/2020 Cuisines: Irish, Bar, Pub
21)

#35 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
301 Broadway
0.2 miles from Jack London Square Cuisines: Vegan Creole, American
22)

#7 of 938 Restaurants in Oakland
510 Embarcadero W
0.1 miles from Jack London Square
“Awesome venue and restaurant” 03/09/2020
Cuisines: Japanese, Sushi, Asian, Live JAZZ music