Jack London Square
Jack London Square
4
About
Shopping, restaurants, and Jack London's cabin.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Jack London Square and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,209 within 3 miles
Attractions
388 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
863 reviews
Excellent
308
Very good
335
Average
168
Poor
37
Terrible
15
crw22crw22
Savannah, GA242 contributions
Jun 2022
Jack London SQ is a beautiful place and probably lots more fun than I allowed myself to feel. I was nervous as just blocks away you could see homeless, graffiti painted on new cars and a very sketchy vibe. My daughter assured me we were safe but sadly I found this to be my least favorite area of California.
Written June 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,506 contributions
Nov 2021
I do come here to do some shopping, BevMo and Bed Bath are here. But there are also some good restaurants and a terrific jazz club, Yoshi's. And the walk along the waterfront is superb; it's long and shows off a lot of the city.
Written December 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sightseer37320
Lake Forest, CA1 contribution
Even though it is on the website and in all the guide books, the Jack London Village was bulldozed three years ago! We found this out only after we were in Oakland. But the Square is a sunny place on the marina with some great restaurants, a few shops, and a very relaxing openness.
We had a great weekend.
We had a great weekend.
Written February 16, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
barbus55
Tucson, AZ417 contributions
Mar 2021 • Business
This business trip took us to Oakland Bay Area for the first time for both of us, and of course we expected the crime but with Covid the Homelessness and trash is almost overwhelming. Locals assure us the area is making GREAT strides in cleaning up and that is evident. We enjoyed afternoons in the Brooklyn Basin area and Jack London Square. Homeless traffic is minimal and noninvasive and it was encouraging to see locals dropping off food and items to the few quiet homeless folks in this area. The key for us is- we understand being underprivileged and not supported but the discarded trash is unacceptable. That’s why we sought out to explore the south edge of town.
Lots to see and do in Jack London Square. We want to support Oakland and can comfortably do that in this area. I still wouldn’t be out here at night, but daylight is great. Not full of discarded trash like a lot of Oakland.
Heck there are areas of Oakland like Fruitvale (where we are working) that you don’t want to be outside streetside even during daylight hours, but we have to remember this town is full of wonderful people of various cultures all trying to make it. The historic architecture in Oakland is breathtaking. Some of the graffiti is true art and welcomed. So much to appreciate in Oakland but be aware of your surroundings. We are hopeful it all improves and while here we will support local business.
Lots to see and do in Jack London Square. We want to support Oakland and can comfortably do that in this area. I still wouldn’t be out here at night, but daylight is great. Not full of discarded trash like a lot of Oakland.
Heck there are areas of Oakland like Fruitvale (where we are working) that you don’t want to be outside streetside even during daylight hours, but we have to remember this town is full of wonderful people of various cultures all trying to make it. The historic architecture in Oakland is breathtaking. Some of the graffiti is true art and welcomed. So much to appreciate in Oakland but be aware of your surroundings. We are hopeful it all improves and while here we will support local business.
Written March 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CentralBeat
CentralBeat2 contributions
We recently went (May '11) to San Fran and stayed in Hayward which is just outside of Oakland. Â While our main intentions was to visit San Fran, we did visit a few places in Oakland and the surrounding areas. Â I decided that Jack London's Square would be a good place to visit based on the reviews.
However when we got there (around 5pm), it was like a ghost town. Â Granted it was a weekday but there was hardly a soul around to the point we thought something was wrong. Â We then decided to stroll around the shops but there was empty building after empty building. Â The main anchor, Barnes and Noble, apparently left a while back. Â But even the smaller venues are gone. Â Of course there were a handful of bars and a few restaurants but very few shops.
Even the maps that are scattered throughout (like a mall directory) were outdated and still showed old shops that used to be there.
It truly seemed weird and we wondered what had happened. Â We decided to stop by Ben & Jerry's for an ice cream and while we were there, I asked where everyone was at and where did all shops, etc go. Â The lady there said that a while back they raised the prices significantly on the area and many shops were forced to shut down.
It is sad really because the place looks like it would be incredible. Â The sailboats that are docked near there are gorgeous and it really could be a great tourist venue. Â Right now it is just a bar hangout it seems. Â Before going there, just go to the website for the Square and look at the locations listed there. Â You will quickly see it has been reduced significantly.
I want to also point out that if you travel down the street just a few blocks, the neighborhood starts to get pretty questionable. Â It is not the worst I have been in but almost laughable compared to the city across the bay.
If the stores and shops fill back up and the vacant lots disappear, maybe the action will pick up. Â But when you can go and find yourself totally alone other than the annoying train that runs right down the heart of the square honking its horn at least 10 times, it is hard to get excited about the place unless you were looking to read a good book or reflect on your thoughts.
However when we got there (around 5pm), it was like a ghost town. Â Granted it was a weekday but there was hardly a soul around to the point we thought something was wrong. Â We then decided to stroll around the shops but there was empty building after empty building. Â The main anchor, Barnes and Noble, apparently left a while back. Â But even the smaller venues are gone. Â Of course there were a handful of bars and a few restaurants but very few shops.
Even the maps that are scattered throughout (like a mall directory) were outdated and still showed old shops that used to be there.
It truly seemed weird and we wondered what had happened. Â We decided to stop by Ben & Jerry's for an ice cream and while we were there, I asked where everyone was at and where did all shops, etc go. Â The lady there said that a while back they raised the prices significantly on the area and many shops were forced to shut down.
It is sad really because the place looks like it would be incredible. Â The sailboats that are docked near there are gorgeous and it really could be a great tourist venue. Â Right now it is just a bar hangout it seems. Â Before going there, just go to the website for the Square and look at the locations listed there. Â You will quickly see it has been reduced significantly.
I want to also point out that if you travel down the street just a few blocks, the neighborhood starts to get pretty questionable. Â It is not the worst I have been in but almost laughable compared to the city across the bay.
If the stores and shops fill back up and the vacant lots disappear, maybe the action will pick up. Â But when you can go and find yourself totally alone other than the annoying train that runs right down the heart of the square honking its horn at least 10 times, it is hard to get excited about the place unless you were looking to read a good book or reflect on your thoughts.
Written June 27, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LANAR
4 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
If you like crime and theft, this is your place. Cars broken into daily in broad daylight with people walking by, thieves caught in the act on area cameras but police are too swamped to do anything beyond send you to their online reporting site. Rental car companies tell you it always happens. Jack London Security tells you it always happens. Yet, nothing changes. Take your hard earned money and valuables elsewhere!
Written January 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MoJo7
San Francisco, CA20 contributions
Mar 2020
On the water with tons of places to eat, drink and see. Waterfront, marina, event space, easy to walk, lots of restaurants including famous Yoshi's offering jazz and Japanese food for 45+ years and the Oakland Tourist Bureau.
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pam
5 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
I stayed at the Waterfront Hotel on the Square, and on Sunday I visited the Market held there, which had several fine jewelry booths, a booth selling handmade ties, and a luthier who made electric guitars from skateboards and bass guitars from cigar boxes, and various other booths. There is also a nice Thai restaurant right on the Square. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit.
The ferry to San Francisco also leaves right from Jack London Square, with more shops in the Market Building.
The ferry to San Francisco also leaves right from Jack London Square, with more shops in the Market Building.
Written April 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rose B
Bozeman, MT68 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
Weather cooperated, lovely day... homeless folks broke my heart. Don’t make them go away. They have just as much right to be there as you and I do. As a community, let’s try to find them a home.
Written March 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dragonfly972
Castro Valley, CA191 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
This is a good terminal to catch the ferry from. I went on a weekend, so can't comment on the weekday commuter crowds. We took the ferry across to the Ferry Building, and then walked the few blocks (20 minutes) to the new SFMOMA. It was an easy walk.
- you can purchase your tickets on the boat
- you can use your Clipper Card (transit, not cash) and save a couple bucks. To use your Clipper Card, you just tag at the machine as you EXIT the boat (down the gangway).
- you can get 12 hours free parking at the parking garage at Washington Street
(be sure to validate the parking ticket just inside the glass doors as you start down the gangway) either when you get on the boat, or when returning.
- you can buy drinks and cocktails on the boat....
The trip is a nice alternative to driving across the bay and having to hunt for parking. And, you feel like you are getting out and doing something besides just driving to and from the city. I like it.
- you can purchase your tickets on the boat
- you can use your Clipper Card (transit, not cash) and save a couple bucks. To use your Clipper Card, you just tag at the machine as you EXIT the boat (down the gangway).
- you can get 12 hours free parking at the parking garage at Washington Street
(be sure to validate the parking ticket just inside the glass doors as you start down the gangway) either when you get on the boat, or when returning.
- you can buy drinks and cocktails on the boat....
The trip is a nice alternative to driving across the bay and having to hunt for parking. And, you feel like you are getting out and doing something besides just driving to and from the city. I like it.
Written July 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're planning our 50th class reunion at Scotts in October. Any suggestions for a nearby bar for a nightcap and a awesome Sunday brunch?
Written February 23, 2017
My two cents worth, though this doesn't directly address your question. Check if you could book a room with a water view at the Waterfront Hotel with a heated outdoor salt water pool, a fireplace in the lobby. A decent rate would be under USD 200 a night, but it depends on the vacancy at the time of booking. The more inventory, the lower the price and vice versa.
Written July 10, 2017
Is there easy parking in the area?
Written July 31, 2016
Yes - There are a couple of parking structures and lots. Parking in the structure closest to the ferry is validated if you take the ferry.
Written July 31, 2016
JLS has an annual bike fest/-athon. All the avid bikers I know have been there because Oakland is a very bike friendly place. Lots of long flat trails (including along the waterfront and around Lake Merritt) as well as both gentle and challenging hills.
Written August 27, 2016
It isn't that far.walking only during the day if you have the time.otherwise a taxi is inexpensive
Have fun
Written November 16, 2015
elhtravels
Sacramento, California
At Jack London Square, what moderate priced restaurants (hotels OK) would you recommend for lunch for a tourist on a tight schedule?
Written February 28, 2015
Scott's has a light lunch menu and/or appetizer selections + you could sit outside (depends on the weather). It is in the heart of Jack London Square - then after dining, you can take in the interesting sites available + check out The Potomac yacht that is docked there. It was FDR's private yacht when he was president. They also have tours + an office to check this out, otherwise you can see the yacht (if in the harbor) from the outside. Just hanging out at Jack London is really fun - hopefully on a sunny day :)
Written February 28, 2015
If you like Asian inspired dishes, Yohsi's is wonderful. Skates on the Bay has great views and food. For breakfast, only one place, Fat Apple in Berkeley --- amazing!!!
Written January 18, 2015
Please give a review of scott's restaurant
Written December 19, 2014
I'm not all that fond of Scotts either. I do like Skates on the Bay at the Berkeley Marina.
Written January 18, 2015
scotts' restaurant review
Written December 19, 2014
Scott's has a "old world" feel to it, know going in your definitely paying for the view. Lungomare's would be my choice for food atmosphere and even a little bit of a view.
Written December 20, 2014
Showing results 1-10 of 10
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing