Come to Jack London Square to spend a relaxing afternoon walking the paths that run by the waterside or to enjoy a beer in the same tavern where the author of The Call of the Wild drank. Shop in some of Oakland’s best establishments and enjoy fine dining in one of the many restaurants overlooking the water.
Jack London Square was formerly the hub of all Oakland’s port activity. The novelist and social activist Jack London spent his boyhood here watching the ships come in and studying the many characters that roamed the port. Now the area is one of Oakland’s standout attractions, combining stunning waterside scenery, excellent shopping and dining activities and active leisure pursuits such as kayaking or jogging.
Pay a visit to Heinold’s First and Last Chance saloon. This was built in 1883 from the timber of an old whaling ship and was the bar in which Jack London used to drink. Adjacent to the building is a replica of the cabin London lived in when he was in the Yukon territory where he got inspiration for The Call of the Wild. The replica is built using some of the logs from the original cabin.
Take a stroll along the Jack London walk, a path that runs from Heinold’s Saloon to the presidential Potomac yacht. Facts about the novelist’s life are placed on diamond-shaped markers along the path.
Those who love shopping will find much to enjoy here with several major retail outlets and boutique stores around the square. Look for the Jack London Market, which has a large number of stalls selling locally produced food.
Enjoy a west coast sunset sipping a beer or wine in one of the many bars. In the summer, come to the square on weekend evenings to watch one of the regular outdoor movies. Order the catch of the day in a seafood restaurant and continue on for a night of dancing in one of the local nightclubs.
Jack London Square is located a short walk from downtown Oakland. A ferry service, buses and the Bay Area Rapid Transportation (BART) service all stop here. A free shuttle will take you from the BART stop to the square.
