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Lake Merritt, Downtown Oakland
Oakland is the only city in the United States with a salt water lake in the downtown metropolitan area. Sometimes called the Jewel of Oakland, Lake Merritt's 155 acres were donated to the city by Dr. Samuel Merritt in 1860. The lake's 140-acre wildlife refuge is the nation's oldest and a U.S. National Historic Landmark. The lake features a popular 3.5 mile walking and jogging path around its perimeter. Lake Merritt is considered the focal point of Oakland and its shoreline is illuminated at night by the 'Necklace of Lights', a series of 126 lampposts and over 3400 pearly bulbs.
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