Bay Bridge to Jack London Square
Port View Park
Port View Park, reopened and greatly expanded in 1995 after extensive redesign and reconstruction because of damage suffered during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, offers spectacular views of San Francisco Bay, the San Francisco skyline and Port of Oakland maritime operations at the Seventh Street Terminal.
The park encompasses 4.5 acres of public access with areas for fishing, strolling, picnicking and special events. Port View Park also is the home of the International Maritime Center, a nondenominational chapel and recreational facility for visiting seafarers.
Facilities
Picnic areas, play area, fishing piers, second-story viewing area and historical display (open 10am-3pm daily and upon request), restrooms, drinking fountain, parking, benches.
Directions
Located at the end of 7th Street.
Middle Harbor Shoreline Park
As an international gateway, our airport and seaport operations bring economic value to the world. Here at home, we're bringing social and cultural value to the region. Middle Harbor Shoreline Park offers Oakland its first public beach. The views are some of the most magnificent in the area and the park contains an amphitheater for events and performances.
Since World War II, military use has restricted public access to the shoreline of the Middle Harbor. As part of the Port's Vision 2000 seaport program, the public has regained access to the former naval ship basin. Agencies, community representatives and scientists worked together to design the habitat restoration for the more than 150-acre water area of the harbor and the integration of the park with the habitat. Middle Harbor became an ecological reserve of shallow bay and shoreline habitats for many species, such as Dungeness crab, flatfish, anchovy, herring and perch.
Jack London Square
Fifteen square blocks of commercial and recreational activities, including opportunities for dining and shopping, strolling, ferry rides, and special events such as the weekly Sunday Farmers Market, the annual Maritime Day and the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. At the north end of the main plaza, at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Fishing Pier, is an elevated platform with views of Alameda and the gantry cranes at the Howard Marine Terminal.
When the extension of the terminal is completed in early 1996, the cranes will be only 500 feet from the pier, giving visitors a close-up view of a working marine terminal. President Roosevelt's official yacht, the USS Potomac, is now moored next to the pier and is open to the public. (For details, call (510) 627-1215.) A mini park at the foot of Alice Street marks the south end of this area. The lightship, The Relief, will move in upon completion of the Howard Terminal expansion.
Facilities
Restaurants, bars, shops, marinas, guest berths, walkways and plazas, picnic areas, grassy play areas, fishing pier with fish-cleaning areas, restrooms, fountain, benches, public telephones, parking.
Directions
Located at the foot of Broadway.
