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Lake Merritt: Traveler Reviews

Lakeside Park, Oakland, CA 94612
510 238 7275
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Ranked #8 of 42 attractions in Oakland
Type: Bodies of Water
Description: Saltwater lake in the middle of the city.
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113 reviews from our community

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    27
    1
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Date Rating
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Oakland
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
14 attraction reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
“So Much To Offer”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 8, 2013

Oakland's crown jewel, Lake Merritt has so much to offer, on the lake, around the lake and near the lake. Don't miss walking all or part of the lake. Children's Fairyland which I've been going to since I was a toddler, many years ago, is perfectly sized for those under 10 and adults who want to share a fun time with that age group. There are wonderful restaurants of every flavor surrounding the lake. You can take a gondola ride, or rent a sail or paddle boat. You can feed the ducks, or take a peak at the mini science museum. There are historical buildings to tour on and near the lake. Don't miss the Oakland Museum, the Classic Grand Lake Theater, the art deco court house, the Cameron Stanford House, and the Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass Mosaics at the Lake Merritt United Methodist Church (lakemerrittumc.org) - an insiders tip!

Visited January 2013
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Ask MarcyMarkOakland about Lake Merritt
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
New York City, New York
Top Contributor
86 reviews 86 reviews
33 attraction reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
“Nice area”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed December 29, 2012 via mobile

Haven't walked around the lake, just a portion of it so there aren't a lot of sights to take in. Good restaurants, but it is a walk from the Bart station. There are colorful people, but you can see a definite change in Oakland.

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See 8 more reviews by isletripper for Oakland
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Oakland
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
“Great Area To Walk”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 16, 2012

Lake Merritt is a great relaxing out take of Oakland. There is a nice paved trail that goes all around the lake. There are plenty on benches to sit and relax and enjoy the view.

Visited December 2012
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See 3 more reviews by e_hope75 for Oakland
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Oakland, California, United States
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
“Local and low key”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 30, 2012

This is a local area, with a farmers' market on week ends, good people watching, and at night the lights are quite picturesque. Fairyland is one of the all time best kid experiences; low tech (where Walt Disney got his idea of a theme park) & you must have a child with you to enter. Get the key ($2), for some reason it's is magical for kids!

Visited November 2012
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See 7 more reviews by Janis A for Oakland
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
San Francisco, California
Senior Contributor
46 reviews 46 reviews
20 attraction reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
“Beautiful”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 16, 2012

A great place to take a nice walk in Oakland and there are lots of places that you can grab a drink near by, find one with a view of the lake and take it all in.

Visited November 2012
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Ask NerdyTravelGirl about Lake Merritt
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

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