Jason F.
Yelp
I left my heart in Oakland, California...although the infamous Tony Bennett song infers the real city by the bay. This seminal song comes to mind whenever I think of this iconic lake (which technically is a lagoon) in the heart of the city of Oakland, whose shape reminds me of a gigantic heart. And why shouldn't it? As it is the beating soul of the other city by the bay as it is perfect for outdoor activities from walking to jogging to even rowing and boating, but it is also well-known for hosting numerous noteworthy city festivals and events from music and food festivals in the 1980's and 90's to more recently being the epicenter of a couple of victory celebrations for the Golden State Warriors, who until last year called the city of Oakland their home. Lake Merritt represents what is good about Oakland, from being the epicenter where eclectic and lively neighborhoods from downtown to uptown to Chinatown to Adams Point to Cleveland Heights to Merritt all meet up, to being a safe space for those looking for refuge from the chaotic city under the bright sunny skies that only Oakland can give its denizens.
I have gone to Lake Merritt to do everything from full-on exercise routines with an instructor tutoring us, to brisk walks with friends around the entire circumference, to taking the niece and nephew to Children's Fairyland which for generations had been entertaining Bay Area youth, to even enjoying Happy Hour with views of the lake at Lake Chalet restaurant, there's nothing you can't do at this urban oasis. A leisurely walk with a friend on a recent Friday afternoon took about an hour as we stopped and started over and over again taking in all the sites and sounds and hourly metered parking on nearby Grand Avenue was a cinch since it was the weekday and everyone else seemed to be working. What I do like is they have made major improvements in the paving of the walking trail and the overall remodeling of the area to the south of the lake known as the Lake Merritt Amphitheater.
It is here you will catch people sitting in the sun, walking their dogs, and taking part in an exercise class, which I have done at least once in my life, all with the hopefully soon to be restored Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center overlooking the entire grounds. I also love the restored natural habitats of foliage that greets you at every turn, which makes your walk even more pleasant especially on a sunny day. What I don't necessarily love is that there still seems to be quite a heavy homeless population that camps out for what seems to be long periods of time right under the newly rerouted street bridge that serves as Lake Merritt Boulevard. This has certainly allowed for a more expansive route for drivers and more pleasant street crossing for pedestrians, but now provides refuge for the downtrodden, which can make a stroll on an sunny afternoon make you question if it's all worth it to make even a trip out here.
Whether it's by car or by Bart ride and short walk from the nearby eponymous subway station, Lake Merritt is "the Jewel of Oakland" and remains is the largest man-made saltwater tidal lake in the United States. The "necklace of lights," which helps light up the lake at night serves as a romantic beacon at night, which when early enough as the sun sets is quite lovely but the later it gets at night, it is probably not very smart to walk the entire perimeter, even with another person. Nevertheless the lake symbolizes what is so great about Oakland to begin with, a small community that beams with pride. It needs to be both celebrated and cherished in equal parts. To paraphrase the lyrics to the song at the beginning of my review, "my love waits there in Oakland, above the blue and windy lake, when I come home to you, Oakland, your golden sun we partake."
