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The FDR Fishing Pier, at the north end of square, harbors the Potomac, which served as FDR’s presidential yacht. The boat is available for dockside tours and history cruises, and you can get more information and an Oakland map at the adjacent Potomac Visitor Center. Now fully redeveloped from the old wharf that used to ship lumber and supplies during the gold rush, Jack London Square is a gateway to the estuary. Here, you can rent a kayak, or take off in the Jack London Water Taxi across the estuary to the ferry dock in Alameda and visit Rosenblum Cellars (510) 865-7007 where just steps from the dock are wines are produced in an old shipyard. The tasting room has a great view of the water, and if you’re lucky, they’ll pour from their bottles of award winning zinfandel or chocolate or vanilla port. Next door at St. George Spirits (510)769-1601 where they make Eau de Vie-a distilled brandy in flavors like pear that you can also taste.

1. Oakland Estuary Kayak Tour. The Oakland estuary is easily explored by kayak. Stop in at California Canoe and Kayak (510)893-7833 in Jack London Square and they will set you up. They provide a laminated map and sit-on-top boats for your cruise. En route, you’ll see seals and lots of birds. There is a 2-mile paddle to historic Quinn’s Lighthouse, where you can dock (tie up so your craft won’t drift off!) and head to the deck for lunch. Afterwards,

Quinn's

paddle around Coast Guard Island. You cannot go ashore here unless you are in the Coast Guard, but you will be content offshore in your kayak. You can explore the graveyard of sunken ships dating from the gold rush. Only pilings peek above the water now, but with an aerial photograph, you would see the outline of their hulls. If you’d like to stretch you legs mid-journey, try Estuary Park. Head across the estuary to Alameda and visit Shoreline Park which is bordered by restaurants; or dock for lunch at Chevy’s in Mariner’s Square, directly across from Jack London Square. If you know what you’re doing, (meaning you’ve completed an introductory sea kayaking class for technique, rescue and safety) you can go anywhere: around Alameda Island; or into San Francisco Bay for a paddle around Treasure Island. California Canoe and Kayaks also offer full moon paddles where you can paddle to end of estuary, and watch the city lights. In addition to the sit-on-top boats, they rent and sell singles, doubles, and the new-to-the-scene pedal kayaks-said to be a faster ride.

2. Chinatown and Old Oakland

Chinatown

This nice walk from the waterfront promises culinary delight. Chinatown offers fresh produce, herbs, live seafood, and trading companies full of goodies from Asia. For weekend dim sum brunch, try Tin’s Teahouse at 701 Webster (510)832-7661. In addition to their fresh Cantonese dishes, they offer exotic adventure cuisine like stir-fried alligator. On the map, Chinatown is centered around 8th and 9th and Franklin and Webster Streets, and radiates out from there. The Pacific Renaissance Plaza is at its center, where, at the end of a long line, the Sweet Booth serves quick exotic goodies like fresh squeezed pear juice, slow-cooked papaya with agar, Sweet red bean soup with lotus seeds, and pearl milk tea. The Asian Pacific Cultural Center is also here displaying performing and visual arts, film, workshops, lectures and youth arts education from the Pacific. Check out Lanuola; the Colors of life-a touring exhibit of Pacific Islander arts June 16th through September 10. Fortune cookies, which incidentally are an American addition to Chinese cuisine, are available at Calvin Wong’s Fortune Cookie Factory at 221 Twelfth Street. Call ahead (510)832-5552 if you’d like a tour. Explore any of the Chinatown shops that strike your fancy, or take a walking tour through the City’s guided walking tours program to learn about the role of Oakland’s Chinese workers in the building of the transcontinental railroad.

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Fifth Avenue Studios-496 Embarcadero

Aqua Studio-39 5th Ave

Seabreeze Cafe-Sixth Avenue (510)832-4579

Oyster Reef-Ninth Avenue Terminal (510)836-2519

Quinn’s Lighthouse-51 Embarcadero Cove-(510)536-2050

Exchange Studio-527 23rd Ave

Dutch Boy Studios-4701 San Leandro St.

Vulcan Foundry-4401 San Leandro St.

Vulcan Cafe-915 45th Ave at San Leandro-(510)536-6305

Ford Street Studios- 2989 Chapman, 2934 Ford Street

Splady Studio-www.spladymetalart.com

Chinatown and Old Oakland

Annual Chinatown Street Fest, 4th weekend in August-(510)893-8979,

Asian Pacific Cultural Center-388 9th St.-(510)208-6080

Dragon Festival and ceremonial regatta, Oakland Estuary in August-(510)452-4272

Asian Pacific Cultural Center-Pacific Renaissance Plaza-(510)208-6080, www.oaklandasianculturalcenter.com

The Sweet Booth-Pacific Renaissance Plaza-(510)893-3633

Tin’s Teahouse-701 Webster (510)832-7661

Calvin Wong’s Fortune Cookie Factory-221 Twelfth St.-(510)832-5552

Ratto’s International Market and Cafe-Washington between 8th and 9th-(510)832-6503

Pacific Coast Brewing Company-906 Washington-(510)863-2739

Le Cheval-1007 Clay-(510)763-9457

Alameda

Alameda Museum- 2324 Alameda Avenue-(510)444-2187

USS Hornet and Apollo Exhibit-Pier 3, Alameda Point-(510)521-8448