Oakland’s Jack London Square

Every visit to Jack London Square yields renewed excitement about the neighborhood. So, I thought I’d jot down my recommendations…

Although most mainstream travel guides will have you think otherwise, there is a lot more to Oakland than Jack London Square, and a lot more to Jack London Square than the main intersection at the base of Broadway and The Embarcadero. This picturesque area is lined by Bay waters and bobbing boats, and there’s a ferry terminal that ushers San Francisco-bound boats in and out all day.

Getting there: Oakland’s B Shuttle runs free Mondays to Fridays from the base of Broadway up to Grand Avenue, every 10 minutes. You can take the East Bay Ferry to and from San Francisco. Take BART to the 12^th Street stop and either catch the B or walk 10 blocks south. Metered parking is widely available off of Broadway. There is also an Amtrak station for those coming in from farther afield.

Some of Oakland’s most famous landmarks can be found here. Visit (or cruise on) the historic USS Potomac, where FDR hosted his “floating White House,” Yoshi’s Jazz Club, where the best jazz musicians from around the world come to play, (and you can sample haute Japanese fare), and Heinhold’s First and Last Chance Saloon, a known hang out of Jack London himself.

There are new and delicious flavors around every bend, like the sumptuous barbeque and Saucy Sistah Ale at local’s favorite Everett and Jones BBQ, the menu items named for friends and family of the owners at Home of Chicken and Waffles, and the updated Korean fare at Hahn’s Hibachi. Dine on the waterfront patio at Bocanova, or try outstanding vegetarian dishes at Encuentro, where seasonal ingredients with wine pairings are at the fore.

Perhaps the shiniest stars of the Jack London eating scene are pork-centric Chop Bar, where you can also sample some of the tastiest sardine preparations and other sustainable seafood, and La Furia Chalaca, where authentic Peruvian dining will wow your palate. For dessert swing by Miette, the site of their bakery and a small storefront, for dye-free French macaroons, and a carrot cupcake that has a good chance for the title of “Best Ever.”

Drinking is as important to eating here, and you’re in luck if you like beer, wine, or coffee. Linden Street Brewery, all the way down Embarcadero to the west, is a friendly brewery that’s dedicated to bringing back Oakland’s once-thriving microbrewery culture with their award-winning Urban Peoples’ Common Lager. Call ahead to make an appointment for a tour (510.812.1264). Beer Revolution is the perfect place to do some sampling – there are no less than 47 handpicked beers on tap, some organic.

Jack London Square is home to Peerless Coffee, a huge name for West Coast coffee drinkers, and Blue Bottle, the  prom queen of the Bay Area’s ever-evolving coffee scene. Each do their roasting on site, but have cafés where you can sample the most recent batches. The two are totally different experiences, but both worth while for caffeine connoisseurs.

Urban wineries are big in Oakland, and a tasting at the shared space of JC Cellars and Dashe Cellars is a must while you’re in the ‘hood. JC is known for rich and welcoming Syrah and Petit Syrah, though their peppery 100% Grenache is a homerun for fans of that varietal. Dashe makes some of the most sophisticated Zinfandels around – found on top menus across the country, including Chez Panisse. Both were founded in 1994 and are transforming the stigma of urban wineries for the better. For more local winery adventures check out East Bay Vintners Association.

Don’t miss Swarm Gallery, one of the best arts enclaves in Oakland, or the chance to rent a canoe or kayak from California Canoe and Kayak and take to the bay waters yourself.