Lake Merritt is a summertime joy! What a privilege it is that we get to live, work, and play at this special place. It truly is a hometown destination, where we go to sample from local food trucks, shop the weekend vendors, exercise, dance, have picnics, and more.
Did you know you can have fun not just by the water, but on the water too? There are multiple opportunities for boating, each at different (affordable!) price points and vibes, depending on what you’re looking for.
Affordable Rentals at the Lake Merritt Boating Center
One of Oakland’s best kept secrets is how easy it is to rent watercraft at the Lake Merritt Boating Center! For under $25 an hour, you can rent a pedal boat, row boat, canoe, or kayak. Pedal and row boats can accommodate up to three people. Canoes require a minimum of two, and maximum of three people. Kayaks can be rented as either singles or doubles. All of these muscle-powered options are fun ways to get outside and exercise in a way you might not have considered before.
Do you have sailing experience? Bring along your sailing credentials, and you’ll have even more options to choose from: rent an El Toro, Sunfish, 14-foot Keelboat, or Catamaran for $30 or less. If you’d like to learn how to sail, the Boating Center also offers classes.
This is a wonderful, affordable way to experience Lake Merritt and the Oakland Estuary up close. Oakland residents even get a discount. But make sure to bring cash — the Boating Center doesn’t accept cards or checks. Visit Wednesdays through Sundays between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm to rent, or call 510-238-2196 for details.
Learn to Row with Lake Merritt Rowing Club
Lake Merritt Rowing Club is a nonprofit dedicated to sharing the joy of rowing with the diverse Bay Area community. Open since 1962, the Club offers a wide range of rowing programs and classes for anyone who wishes to learn, regardless of age or skill level. And here’s a fun fact: several US Olympians have trained at the Club, right on Lake Merritt!
Summer rowing experiences are available and cost between $50 (for “a taste” of rowing) and $200-250 (for multi-week, individual and team classes). Financial aid is available to those who need it. Yearlong club memberships are also available at a range of price points.
The Club has been a longtime supporter of Lake Merritt Institute, participating in annual cleanups. LMI’s very own Paris Organist and board member Josiah Albertsen are both members! If you’re looking to build your endurance, athleticism, and a sense of teamwork, the Lake Merritt Rowing Club is the place to do it. Visit www.lakemerrittrowingclub.org for information.
Plan a Romantic Date Night with Dolce Vita Gondola
Surprise your sweetheart with a romantic night on the water. Dolce Vita Gondola offers cruises on a real, flat-bottomed Venetian gondola. An experienced gondolier, dressed in traditional black-and-white stripes, will be your navigator. Bring along a bottle of champagne, and as the sun sets and the Necklace of Lights twinkles around you, you’ll experience the magic of Lake Merritt in a brand new way.
Gondola cruises depart from Lake Chalet, and are a unique and memorable way to celebrate an engagement, birthday, anniversary, first date — or just because! Cruises for two start at $175. Festive group cruises and private parties are also available for booking. Visit www.dolcevitagondola.com to book or learn more.
Lake Merritt can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways! How do you like to experience the lake? Let us know on Instagram by tagging us in photos and videos of your recreation and volunteer cleanup activities: @lakemerrittinsituteorg.
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