Whether you enjoy hiking scenic trails or exploring wildlife on safari, outdoor adventures are a great way to disconnect from the world and create lasting memories. Located along Oakland’s waterfront in California, Jack London Square has transformed into a vibrant destination with dining, shopping, recreation, and historic waterfront tours year-round. Fortunately for residents at Fourth Street East, the square is just a short walk away!

Kayaking the Oakland Estuary

The Oakland Estuary is a popular kayaking destination and offers a glimpse of the city’s marina and skyline. The water is calm and clean, and songbirds serenade paddlers while seals and leopard sharks are sometimes seen in the area. Renting a kayak is just one of Jack London Square activities that you can do for an easy and relaxing trip around the waterfront. The historic waterfront district of Jack London Square is a hub of outdoor recreation, dining, and entertainment year-round. There are many restaurants, coffee shops, and a large park where visitors can relax and soak up the scenery. Enjoy a moonlight or sunset kayaking trip at the Oakland Estuary for a unique experience. The water often turns glassy and calm late into the evening, making it an enchanting setting to explore the historic waterfront. After the trip, enjoy dinner at a restaurant and jazz club that features live music from local musicians.

Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park

The Oakland waterfront and marina neighborhood of Jack London Square features dining, retail, and outdoor recreation year-round. Rent a kayak or canoe, explore the estuary on moonlight or sunset paddles, or visit restaurants serving fresh seafood from the bay. You can hike around Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in the hills east of Oakland. This is the largest natural stand of coastal redwood in East Bay. The park has several hiking trails that wind through the woods. You can also visit a few historical sites dedicated to author Jack London’s life, including Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon. Another popular activity is visiting Chabot Space & Science Center, which features interactive exhibits, a planetarium and theater, and three powerful telescopes. You can also ride the San Francisco Bay Trail, a bicycle and pedestrian trail that (when completed) will circle the entire shoreline of the bay.

Mount Tamalpais State Park

Jack London Square is a hub of outdoor recreation, dining, and entertainment at the waterfront and marina in Oakland. The neighborhood has several ice cream shops, restaurants, bars, and many family-friendly activities and events year-round. You can also visit Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon, the bar featured in Jack London’s novels like The Call of the Wild. It’s decorated floor-to-ceiling with nautical and vintage curios. A great way to explore the area is on foot or bike. The Bay Trail – a bicycle and pedestrian trail that eventually will circle the entire bay – passes through the neighborhood, making it easy to get around on two wheels. A stroll along the waterfront will give you spectacular views of the bay and downtown Oakland. Or you can hike one of the many trails inside Mount Tamalpais State Park, including the Troop 80 Trail and the Verna Dunshee Loop.

Point Bonita Lighthouse

Point Bonita Lighthouse tucked in the Marin Headlands, is only open for a few hours each week, so it’s tricky to plan but worth it! It’s just a short hike and walks across this super shaky suspension bridge hanging over the ocean waves, but oh my goodness, it’s a pretty cool spot. The lighthouse was initially built in 1855 but was too high on the cliffs and constantly engulfed in fog, so it was moved to its current location in 1877. Today it is a popular place for visitors to walk and admire the remarkable view. Jack London Square is a waterfront entertainment and business district named after the author of Call of the Wild, White Fang, The Sea-Wolf, and other adventure novels. There are restaurants, hotels, retail stores, an Amtrak station, a San Francisco Bay Ferry ferry dock, and a movie theater at the square.