Jack London Square

A few blocks from Oakland's Chinatown is Jack London Square, one of those working waterfront areas that so many cities have turned into a trendy shopping/dining/entertainment/lodging districts. My own foray into Jack London Square was decidedly low-key: I skipped the entertainment and lodging entirely, confining my shopping and dining to the Barnes & Noble and its café, respectively. (Well, OK, I did make a pass through California Canoe & Kayak, but I was just browsing; I knew I couldn't get one of those in my carry-on luggage anyway.) I wandered about the waterfront for a bit (until impending rain sent me inside that B&N) and snapped a few photos along the way, like this statue of (who else?) Jack himself.

The central square was dominated by an imposing stand of palm trees. (Did I mention there was a storm brewing?)


The grounds were dotted with little garden-y areas, including some rather peculiar-looking topiaries like this one, which I think is supposed to be a dolphin. All in all, I have to say I prefer Virginia Beach's signature dolphins to this macrocephalic model.