Jack London Square

Jack London Square is a waterfront district in Oakland, California, on the south shore of the Oakland Estuary named for author Jack London. It is a mixed-use area with restaurants, shops, event spaces and marinas on the city’s waterfront.

The district includes a ferry terminal with service across San Francisco Bay, a regional rail stop serving the Capitol Corridor, and a waterfront promenade used for dining and public events. The area hosts regular markets, festivals and waterfront activities and is a regional destination for dining and recreation.

Historically the waterfront was part of Oakland’s port and industrial waterfront; redevelopment over the late 20th century transformed it into a mixed commercial and leisure district while retaining maritime features. The site combines commercial redevelopment with preserved maritime structures and public open space.

Jack London Square sits at the foot of Broadway on Oakland’s waterfront along the Oakland Estuary, immediately south of downtown Oakland and adjacent to port and marina facilities.

• Transport: Ferry services connect the waterfront to San Francisco; there is also an Amtrak/Capitol Corridor station at the square providing regional rail service.

Jack London Square sits along Broadway at the Oakland waterfront. From downtown Oakland it’s a 10-15 minute walk or a short bus ride (AC Transit routes run nearby). The closest BART station is 12th Street/Oakland City Center - from there it’s about a 20-25 minute walk or a short bus/taxi ride. There is limited on-site parking and paid lot options in the area.

• Go late afternoon to watch cargo ships and ferries move along the estuary - the waterfront has better light and fewer crowds then.
• Skip weekends if possible; public parking fills early for popular events and farmers' markets.
• Visit the Jack London cabin at the end of the square on a weekday morning to avoid lines.