Getting to San Francisco from Jack London Square

BART: Your Cheapest & Fastest Option

The two closest BART stations to Jack London Square are 12th Street/Broadway (Oakland City Center) and Lake Merritt. Both are on the Richmond–Daly City/Millbrae and Pittsburg/Bay Point lines that run directly into San Francisco.

Take the 12th Street BART if you’re already heading through downtown Oakland or prefer to walk through the City Center area before boarding:

• 12th Street/Broadway BART Station: 1245 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612

Take the Lake Merritt BART if you’re coming straight from Jack London Square and want the shortest, simplest connection by Uber, bus, or bike:

• Lake Merrit BART Station: 800 Oak St, Oakland, CA 94607

From either station, you can ride BART into San Francisco in about 20–30 minutes, depending on your SF stop. The most common San Francisco stops for commuters are Embarcadero, Montgomery Street, and Powell Street, which put you in the Financial District or downtown. Some trains continue to Civic Center/UN Plaza or Daly City. Riders generally board a San Francisco-bound train and stay on it across the Bay Bridge tube, with no transfers required once you’re on BART.

How to Get to BART from Jack London Square:

Both the Lake Merritt and 12th Street BART stations are around ~.7 - .8 miles away from Jack London Square. You can get there a variety of ways:

• Walk—It’s about a 12–15 minute walk to either BART station from Jack London Square.

• Bike or Scooter — When the weather's good, many riders use bike-share scooters or personal bikes. Both stations have bike racks or lockers, and you can even bring your bike onto BART.

• Bus—AC Transit buses run frequently between Jack London Square and downtown Oakland/BART corridors. Routes like the 12 and others can drop you near Lake Merritt or 12th Street stations.

• Uber / Lyft (Rideshare)—It's also convenient to take a short Uber or Lyft ride to the BART station. BART recently launched a BART–Uber integration in the BART app that makes it easy to plan and book routes.

The Ferry: The Scenic, Comfortable Route

Another option is to take San Francisco Bay Ferry directly from Jack London Square. While departures are less frequent than BART, the tradeoff is more space, comfort, and views. The total commuting time is also very similar if your destination is near the Ferry Building, Embarcadero, or FiDi.

• Oakland (Jack London Square) Ferry Terminal: 10 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94607

From the waterfront terminal, ferries cross the Bay in about 25–30 minutes, arriving at the San Francisco Ferry Building along the Embarcadero. There are no transfers, no tunnels, and no underground platforms — just a direct ride across open water with skyline views the entire way.

For commuters headed to the Financial District, Jackson Square, or offices along Market Street, the Ferry Building arrival point is often as convenient as Embarcadero BART — sometimes more so. Many riders walk from there in under 10 minutes, or connect to Muni light rail, streetcars, or buses directly outside the terminal.

Ferry service runs primarily during commute hours on weekdays, with more limited midday and weekend schedules.

Why Some Commuters Choose the Ferry:

• Direct from Jack London Square — No need to get to a separate transit station. You board steps from the waterfront promenade.
• Predictable arrival point — You always arrive at the Ferry Building, which is central, walkable, and transit-connected.
• Comfort & space — Larger seats, outdoor decks, restrooms onboard, and room to work or relax.
• Bike-friendly — Ferries accommodate bicycles onboard without the crowding restrictions common during peak BART hours.
• A calmer commute — Many riders choose the ferry specifically to avoid the enclosed tunnel ride and peak-hour station congestion.

Driving: The Most Direct, But Least Predictable

Last but not least, you can also drive from Jack London Square into San Francisco via the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. From the waterfront, you’re only minutes from the I-880 / I-80 on-ramps, and in light traffic the drive into downtown San Francisco can take as little as 15–20 minutes. In heavier commute windows, however, that timing can stretch to 30–45+ minutes, particularly during peak inbound morning traffic or evening return hours.

Unlike BART or the ferry, driving puts you in full control of departure time — but it also introduces bridge tolls, parking costs, and traffic variability.

Luxury apartments at Fourth Street East offer resident parking as well as EV charging stations.

Why Some Commuters Drive:

• Flexible schedules — If you’re not commuting during peak rush hour, driving can be fast and simple.
• Door-to-door convenience — Especially helpful if your destination isn’t near BART or the Ferry Building.
• Car-dependent destinations — Meetings in neighborhoods like Potrero Hill, the Marina, or the Sunset can make driving more practical.
• Cost math can vary — While bridge tolls and SF parking can be expensive, some commuters offset this if they already own a car or receive employer parking benefits.

And Why Many Don’t:

• Bridge tolls (currently $7+ westbound during commute hours)
• Dwntown parking often ranges from $25–$45+ per day
• Traffic unpredictability compared to the consistency of rail or ferry schedules

A Great San Francisco Commute

Oakland just makes it easy. Between BART, the ferry, buses, bikes, and the Bay Bridge all within reach, you’re never stuck with one way to get across the Bay. It’s one of the few places where you can choose your commute based on your mood, and still get to San Francisco without overthinking it.