If you're in Oakland or thinking about taking the ferry from San Francisco to Jack London Square,…read moreany time during any day is a nice time to get away to this waterfront. It's so bright and warm usually, with always a mix of locals and visitors strolling to either the winery, ice cream parlor, one of the restaurants, Sunday farmers market, or just to soak in the sun and relax by the bay. There's ample outdoor seating, including benches, chairs, and a soft grassy area in between the trees by the square entrance. Never crowded, the Jack London Square Marina feels like a hidden urban oasis in the Bay Area just waiting to be discovered.

The ultimate chill spot within Jack London Square and a wonderful place to take a stroll and to…read morecatch a nice sunset! The Jack London Square Marina is a great place to relax and to take in the views of the water. On a warm day, this area tends to remain nice and cool from the marina breeze. It can definitely get a bit windy at the end of the pier, but the sounds of the wind and calm water waves can be extremely peaceful. The Bay Trail runs along the edge of the marina and is a nice place to enjoy a relaxing stroll. The views of the marina and docked boats are really pretty. There are also several benches around where you can sit and relax and a nice green space with lounge chairs for picnicking and recreational activities. If you're able to catch a sunset here, then you'll be in for a real treat. The sunset views are quite entrancing. What's nice is that the marina never seems to be overwhelmingly crowded, so you can truly Re joy the scenery and peacefulness of it. Very grateful to have this local gem so close by.

The little park at this harbor is amazing for an airy, frequently crisp walk…read more While we've been there before, it was too hot in WC, so we came out to be a little closer to the water and enjoy the breeze and salt air, taking the looping path along the water where on a clear day you can see the city and then closer in to the marina. I do wish they had a few more benches but the parking is free and there's always a ton of small dogs to greet along the path. Overall, we definitely recommend it, especially if you plan on stopping by the nearby Tokyo Central after!

Me and my babe met up at his friend's boat to go out on a double date. I fell in love with the…read moreview of The Bay instantly it's where I was raised. We met quite a few ppl who reside here on their boats, it was just like a camp ground with bathrooms and shower accommodations, I must say even the dogs looked happy to be here. Whether you were having a nice walk on the path, skating, jogging, riding bikes or simply just having a picnic on the green, this place definitely called for some R&R. We woke up to a mud party with breakfast and serenity. This was amazing!

Ask around in the boating community about the harbormaster here, and you will get a VERY wide range…read moreof responses...a hint that we may, in my opinion, be dealing with a bi-polar or sociopathic personality. On one hand, you will get raised eyebrows, shaking heads and warnings like: "she can be sweet and nice, always with a slightly bitter saccharin aftertaste, but pity the fool that gets on her bad side. Others will say she is wonderful, with no complaints. IOWs, in my opinion, she seems to have two faces, one for slip owners, and another for the renters who she tends to view as second hand citizens. Rather than viewing customer SERVICE as the staff's paramount responsibility, customer POLICING is the focus, and the very long list of stringent rules are SELECTIVELY enforced, seemingly with the focus being renters Diane does not like. For example: Look at the aerial view of the marina on Google Maps. I count 36 boats that extend 1-3 feet beyond the ends of the slip fingers, which is not allowed in the rules. But, if you're on her s-list, Diane will come out and measure your boat, reprimand you for the violation, and demand corrective actions, including moving to a longer, more expensive slip. The same violations all around the marina are ignored. Diane also finds it impossible to admit when she is wrong. She simply will not say it, and it has been my experience that she will bend and stretch the truth mercilessly in order avoid having to admit she's not right about something. AND, even worse, if you do dare to disagree with her on even the most minor topic, and prove her wrong, you will never escape being on her bad side, and will be subjected to condescending passive aggressive communication as long as you are there under her very large thumb. For example, if you disagree with her or complain about something, she will tell you that if you don't like it there, you can leave, as if every boat owner doesn't already know that. I have at least 10 emails from her ending with that passive aggressive, threatening comment. Hardly a message the owners of the many vacant, unrented slips, or owners trying to sell their slips, would want current renters in good standing, potential renters or buyers to hear. And, if she doesn't like you, and you disagree with her more times than she can tolerate, she will EVICT you without cause, no reason given, a pure act of spite by a person who seems "mad with power". Not everyone can handle a position of power with consistent grace and kindness.

Well behaved women rarely make history... If you are a young…read moreman, or individual of standing, Harbornaster Diane may respect most of you, even if you make a mistake or ask too many favors. But, if you're an older widow like me who asks too many questions, it might just turn out the complete opposite. Her cohort Mike Brennan has even gone so far as to call my crew names like "Stupid", probably because he didn't like they way they were dressed, mostly. Richard Kulka, for whom she is an "agent" uses the Yacht Club and this Diane as the gatekeeper to keep out those they might consider undesirable. It's like the Old South Right here in the East Bay. This organization and their beard, The Emeryville Yacht Club, have no place in today's world. And, besides, look at the place. Who would want to put their boat there?

Going in, I was concerned that the Mariner Square Drystack system would be a lot of trouble. Its…read morenot. They've got this whole drystack thing down to a science. I'm convinced this is a better way to store our boat. First, your boat stays indoors and out of the sun, wind, and elements. Second, your boat stays out of the water. In the estuary, this is key because there is some crazy stuff that grows on hulls. The investment in Mariner Square Drystack will eliminate hull repaints for us. Third, they retrieve your boat from the drystack faster than I could have loaded it into the water off a trailer. Lastly, the location is cool. Its right next to a restaurant for post-boating meals, and the water is in the calm portion of the estuary across from Jack London. A short hop up the estuary puts you into the wilds of the Bay. They also have good customer service, and keep the place very clean. Check out the spic and span bathrooms.

We've now been a member here for 6 months and feel this is the best investment we've made in our…read moreboating lifestyle. Last year, when we were on a trailer we had the boat in the water 4-5 times (during the whole year). Now, we are in the water 6-8 day per month since April. The team here is fabulous. Very helpful, very responsive, responsible and easy to work with. Our boat looks great too since it is not getting beat up be the weather on the trailer or getting salty in a slip. Let's be real. MSQ Drystack is a boat valet service, and they deliver that service perfectly. We very much appreciate it too.

First I'm going to disclose in all honesty that I am an employee at the Oakland Marinas Office…read more I'm a recent hire as the maintenance supervisor. Prior to my arrival, I will admit that the docks have been not maintained well at all. Horrible! Fortunately they hired me and I am dedicated to getting the docks back in great order. A company has been hired to completely revamp the docks in Jack London Square I am not going to lie there are and remain many problems but the company is dedicated to her solving those and providing great slips for not a lot of money It's going to take time but we will get it done and we just ask your patience

My dad has a boat here, and you can read all about our adventures here…read more http://www.7bamboo.com/cms/?q=node/384 Let's get to the Marina though. Almar Marina can be Unlawfully good, or Chaotically evil depending on your character alignment (Old Dungeons and Dragons Reference). Question isn't is it good or bad, the question is are YOU good or bad? Quoting Obi Wan Kenobi from Star Wars: "Mos Isley spaceport, you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy, we must be careful." This particular Marina is situated across the street from the Oakland Harborside pot club, behind a motel 6 that seems to be running a prostitution ring. I know this for a fact, because the hookers are always trying to get guys that walk by to come into their rooms, and one of my friends actually followed a pair of them in one day! I just kept walking, and waited for him by the car because I'm a good boy, and the thought of some pimp waiting in the closet to come out and beat my ass when my pants are down doesn't appeal to me. My friend said the hookers hoo hoo smelled like Mike Tysons armpit. All of this is in plain sight of the coast guard island. Thing is, stuff like this doesn't bother me one bit. I actually enjoy some of the character it adds to the place. I *HAVE* to walk past the hookers on my way to the boat. The hookers all know me now, and they know I won't touch them so they leave me alone. The Marina facilities themselves are nice enough, with power and water hookups, keycard gates, and a really good staff. Even without the people watching entertainment, it's a solid 4. I've had a few times where I forgot my key, they just called my father to confirm I had access to the boat and to let me in. The liveaboard neighbors are really cool too once you get to know them. (Liveaboard = lives on their ship for you landlubbers) My father and I are full on boating noobies, and every neighbor out there has helped us at twice on several occasions. So if you're slipped around a bunch of snobs, or you just happen to like your marina and neighbors a bit on the grey side, Oakland Marina is for you.

This is one of my spots I like to park at and have coffee in the morning or lunch in the afternoon…read more Definitely a peaceful little spot where boats launch and come in. A great view of coast guard island is also here... And if you're lucky it's always cool watching these big boats dock or launch. There are a few tables ,fish cleaning station and a dock you can walk out on.Parking is always plentiful.

This marina is a class act all around. Family owned and family managed with professionism…read more I had my boat there for 6 years and enjoyed the experience for 6 yrs.

It did a search and it's the cheapest Marina in the area. It's also the only one without…read moreliveaboards, this no showers and no security gates. That said the area is still very safe. Probably the safest parking lots in the East Bay. Also Eileen the Harbor Master is great and helpful. I'm happy because of the great neighbors in the boats next to me.

Spent a few days here recently while moored out on the main water at the end of one of the…read moregangways. Quiet and with an easy pace describes it best in the spring, with little to no interaction at all with others at this marina. Its a decent marina, with plenty of boats docked year around here. A private parking lot up topside, my vehicle sat for days with not a single issue. A few places within walking distance even to grab some food, provisions, etc. once here. My dock space on the end, well lit with land power and water right there. After tying my vessel, adjusting the steps to meet the deck and hooking up supply lines, my weeks visit was very relaxing and enjoyable. Even with the rowing teams at 0530 each morning going by, after the first morning I didn't even notice them by weeks end. A neat little marina, right next to Grand marina for a fraction of the cost. Located across the water from the Coast Guard station. 3.5 Stars - it met my needs for my stay and I will use them again in the future when in the area. 00948

Tried to get a guess stock for a couple nights and the employee at Oakland Marina's said they don't…read moredo guest docks. Employees name is Joanne and I have never been treated so rude trying to give a business some business. Unbelievable treatment and professionalism how are they in business why isn't somebody doing something about this type of behavior in Oakland.

Our crew was in need of a place to dock in Jack London square at the last minute. I called the…read moreHarbormaster phone number and spoke with Brock. He was very helpful, friendly, knowledgeable and willing to help us out. He allowed us to use their guest slip, conveniently located on the outside for an easy side tie. He then met us right away and gave us a key to be able to get in and out so we could walk around Jack London Square. We're looking forward to going back and spend the night (they have bathrooms and showers if needed)!

Tight quarters getting in or out. Watch out for traffic coming at you from 360 degrees. Also, a…read morefew of the slips that I saw were wood so, be careful, it can get a little wobbly while docking. Overall its a nice marina.

Fortman Marina is a great marina with an old school vibe. Lots of construction is changing the…read morelocal area. I'm not sure how that will affect the marina of the tenants. We will see. I have had boats in several marinas around the bay and I like Fortman the best.