Jack London Square
add photosUSS Potomac (all ages)
540 Water Street at Jack London Square, Oakland; (510) 627–1215; www.usspotomac.org. Adults $$; ages 6 to 12 $; under 6 are free.
FDR’s “Floating White House” is a sweet reminder of a beloved president who escaped humid Washington summers and the pressures of World War II and the Depression by cruising on this yacht, which has been beautifully restored. While browsing the artifacts of that tumultuous era, you can imagine FDR playing poker with his buddies and poring over his stamp collection. Elvis was another famous owner.
7 Reviews for Jack London Square
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70 families found this helpful
"Not much to do for toddlers"
We went to Jack London Square with our two toddlers and were a little disappointed with how quiet it was. There wasn't much going on and most of the side stores were closed or out of business probably because of the current recession. It was a little sad to see. We were hoping to buy the kids icecream, popcorn or cotton candy (or anything really to munch on) and there weren't any concession stands (we would have to go out of the square and out on to the main busy street which we didn't want to do with little ones). It's a nice place to take a stroll along the boardwalk, ride a boat, or eat at a fancy restaurant (which isn't easy with toddlers), but other than that there isn't much else for kids. It is a beautiful spot with so much potential so hopefully it will thrive again soon.
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'11, '12
0 families found this helpful
"Not much here"
It seems that because of the economy, most of the shops are gone. Most of the commercial spaces had For Lease signs on them and the new Food Market had not opened yet. The best part was the tiny Alaskan hunting shack (a la White Fang) displayed in the center of the square.
Once the economy rebounds and shops and restaurants return, Jack London will no doubt be a fun hang out spot. For now, its just too quiet.
1 family found this helpful
"In-town vacation"
Our family loves taking a quick "vacation" to Jack London Square.
Top tips for toddlers:
1) Amtrak station. Our little boy loves him some trains so this is an obvious stop for us. Watch the big diesel engines pull up to let people on and off. There is even a pedestrian bridge that crosses above the tracks for a birds eye view of the massive machines. Sure, there are some homeless people sleeping on the benches in the station but all in all it's a fun activity for parents and kids.
2) Barnes and Noble with a Starbucks. Enough said. 3) Everett and Jones BBQ joint. Our son loves eating at restaurants (yes, I know we're lucky) and we love BBQ so...match made in heaven.
3) Lots of room to run around without worrying about cars.
4) Weekend farmer's market (I forget which day).
5) Boats, boats and more boats.
6) Easy parking - underground lot for the lazy and street parking for the cheapskates.
7) Also a Ben and Jerry's and a movie theater for the older kids.
Like I said, an in-town vacation just 10 minutes from home.
1 family found this helpful
"We love Everett and Jones!"
Jack London Square is by the water and has a lot of shops and restaurants in it. It's a nice place to walk around especially when they have their Farmer's Market.
Everett and Jones is one of our favorite places and although it gets mixed reviews, we like the big portions and tangy barbecue ribs! This is a pretty good place for kids although it does get crowded and the wait can be long.
There's also a bookstore and a movie theater here.
0 families found this helpful
"Jack London Square"
It is always cill near ocean and if you are around here, there is a lots of place to take warm. Not so many place for small children but we could spend quite long time at book store. They have cafe insede and pretty good serection of children's book.
1 family found this helpful
"Lots of space to roam"
I don't find a LOT of things for my toddler to do, but it has lots of space for a small one to move with a large grassy area near the Ferry entrance. On the cool but sunny days common in Oakland, it gets nice and warm. Older kids would appreciate a lot of the nautical fun like the ferry, boat rentals, kayak shopping or historical ship tours. The Sunday Farmer's Market is often large, though not primarily organic.
1 family found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
Named for the notorious and prolific adventure story author Jack London, who was a roustabout in Oakland early in the twentieth century, the waterfront is a hodgepodge of old and new seafood restaurants and cafes, souvenir shops, a few historic sites, toy stores, bargain bookstores, and Cost Plus. The Sunday farmers’ market is great fun, and so is the monthly antiques fair and the weekend artisan fairs. There is a waterfront walking path, a movieplex, and inexpensive hotels within easy reach of the Oakland airport. Ferries ply the bay between here and downtown San Francisco, Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Angel Island. On Friday afternoons the ferry becomes a pleasure cruiser, complete with music. The Jack London Water Taxi, a kind
of covered barge, will take you on a cruise in the Oakland Estuary from the square to Alameda (next to Chevy’s restaurant) for $5.00 a person (510–839–7572; www. jack
londonwatertaxi.com).
The California Canoe and Kayak company is based here, too, where you can rent boats to paddle the estuary ($$$–$$$$) (510–893–7833). And, stop in at Timeout for
Fun and Games, a small, friendly store chock-full of toys and games (510–444–4FUN; www.timeoutforfun.com). At Whales and Things, kids get lost in the aisles of fun and
educational things related to wildlife, art, science, and ethnicity, from whale dolls to stickers, books, videos, toys, games, and cards (510–763–0585). Look for Tin Plate Junction on Fourth Street, an emporium of toy and miniature trains (510–444–4780). A gigantic Barnes & Noble is open late and has a cafe with tables in a shady grove of trees. You can join a free, city-sponsored, guided Jack London History Walk (510–627–1670), or guide yourselves, following the bronze “wolf tracks” to trace the history of the square.
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