Jack London 150: The 2026 Sesquicentennial

Legendary Past. Waterfront Future.

2026 marks a landmark convergence for the Oakland waterfront. The district is observing a "Double Anniversary" that bridges its 19th-century origins with its modern-day revitalization.

• 150 Years: The sesquicentennial of author Jack London’s birth (1876).

• 75 Years: The formal dedication of Jack London Square as a public landmark (1951).

Exciting Neighborhood Pivots

For decades, the Square was a "scrappy seaport" defined by canneries and wharves—a place Jack London himself would recognize by the smell of salt and diesel. Today, it’s a high-density neighborhood of 6,000+ residents where tech workers and families have replaced the longshoremen.

As of 2026, even more exciting improvements are on the horizon:

• Modernizing the Waterfront: The January 1, 2026, implementation of SB 304 officially ends a century-long era where the Square was legally barred from hosting everyday essential shops. By clearing the way for "neighborhood-serving" retail, the Port can finally fill long-standing vacancies with boutique grocers, gyms, and makerspaces.

• Boosting Commercial Density:On May 4, 2026, the grand opening of Dave & Buster’s (55 Harrison St) signaled a major push for increased foot traffic and commercial density in the district.

• Stitching the Grid: While the 2nd St Hub is slated for 2027, the Embarcadero West Safety Project has already transformed the walk between the Amtrak station and the Ferry terminal. By installing high-visibility crosswalks and new directional wayfinding, it's now safer and more intuitive for 150th-anniversary visitors to navigate between the district’s two major transit gates.

Retracing Jack London's Steps

While the Square was officially named in 1951, Jack London’s history here began in the late 1800s. To celebrate the 150th, you can still visit the exact spots where a young London evolved from a waterfront "oyster pirate" into a world-renowned author:

• Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon: This is the soul of the waterfront. Built in 1883 from the hull of an old whaling ship, this was London’s second home. He studied at these tables as a schoolboy, and the owner, Johnny Heinold, even lent him the tuition money to attend UC Berkeley. Don't miss the 1906 Earthquake clock on the wall, stopped forever at 5:18 AM.

• The Yukon Cabin: Tucked near the foot of Webster Street, you’ll find a small log cabin. This is a partial reconstruction of the actual shelter London lived in during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897. Half of the original logs were brought here from the Yukon to serve as a physical link to the wilderness that inspired The Call of the Wild.

• The Jack London Statue: Located near the ferry terminal at the foot of Broadway, this bronze monument captures London in his rugged element. It’s the perfect starting point for a walk along the promenade, looking out at the same estuary where London once sailed his first boat, the Razzle Dazzle.

• The USS Potomac: While not directly linked to London, the "Floating White House" moored nearby represents the same maritime spirit. Walking the pier between the cabin and the yacht gives you the full view of Oakland’s naval and literary history.