lake merritt sailboat house

Lake Merritt Sailboat House

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568 Bellevue Ave

Oakland, CA 94610

Ellita Ave & Perkins St

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Great affordable space for a party. I've been busy, so it was one year ago I through a graduation party for my Best friend. It was a great experience. The event space was a big blank slate and I was able to throw a fiesta themed party. I know the website had a list of approved vendors they wanted you to use but when I inquired about it, I was informed that they hadn't updated the site and I could use any caterer I wanted. I'm not sure if this is updated info since it was a year ago but that was my experience so I'd inquire. It saved me money and since it was a fiesta I was able to use a traditional taqueria for the food which brought an authentic experience to the party. Also it was catered and dropped off in the kitchen so I was able to replenish the buffet area that was located away from the kitchen with ease. I just needed the help of my three closest men to keep it looking good and stocked. The city workers who opened the hall for me were very friendly and helpful. I set up with ease and a different person came to help lock up afterwards. Important note: my friend opted for an afternoon party and we were cleared out by dark. I don't know if I would have felt comfortable if it was a nighttime event since it's a dark lake and open to whomever shows. My opinion is do an earlier party so you can see the beautiful view. I took off one star because there were flies near the entrance that I had to keep the area closed until the party started so they wouldn't get in. But it's nature so it's not their fault. I liked that there were bathrooms located right outside the entrance for my guests. I did not have a problem with outsiders using them since we were on the second floor. I also looked that there was plenty of parking since it was on the lake and a whole parking lot next to the Sailboat house.

See all photos from Toni F. for Lake Merritt Sailboat House

Held a high school reunion here in November 2018, and it was a nice venue with pretty night-time views and great service from the on-site staff in terms of set up and clean up. Parking is ample, and the space was good for 100-plus people to gather along with some tables and a DJ table. There's a kitchen on site, and the bathrooms were big, too, so multiple people can use them at once. The deck space is ample with a large open space and then some benches on the side. The only real downside is the homeless people who linger in the area during your event. It's a public space, so they're allowed, but it might make some guests uncomfortable with the non-violent drug use, etc.

Things to consider --- take heed or take your chances. I hate to give the LMSH two stars, but that's the best I can muster with full sincerity. Yesterday I went there for the first time to attend a wedding reception and the space was pretty miserable. Here's my list of the unacceptable aspects of our collective experience: 1. Outside I woefully spotted a rodent in broad daylight coming down the pathway leading to the venue and parking lot. I know it's a park and a lake, but in all of the endless days and nights I've spent at Lake Merritt I never recall seeing huge vermin, ever. 2. According to family members a person has created a habitat underneath the stairwell and this inhabitant "thoughtfully" left a huge pile of human excrement near the entrance of the sailboat house the day before the wedding reception. How's that for a welcome mat? 3. While I was there the smell of urine mixed with awful marine water odor was very pungent near the upstairs entrance/elevator doors. 4. Once I entered the venue it appeared clean and the view was absolutely brilliant across Lake Merritt, but it was horrendously hot and grossly uncomfortable for the bridal table sitting right in front of the windows. Despite having the doors open and a slight breeze the heat was exhausting. 5. The final insult was the public use of the bathrooms. When you pay for the use of an entire hall you don't normally expect random outsiders to take privilege of the facilities reserved for your guests. How common is this lack of consideration by unwelcomed strangers I do not know, but certainly privacy is not guaranteed (this is particularly important if you're expecting valuables like gifts and personal belongings to be onsite). Unfortunately, I can't think of too many reasons to recommend this place for a formal occasion unless things are substantially improved. The administrators don't allow an impressive amount of time to setup so make sure you hire or use a large group of people to help prepare/clean the venue for your event if you decide to use the space for any reason. (Sorry I don't know about how much time is given to clean up and get out) Even under these conditions the reception was a very sweet affair because the couple went all out with a deejay, a whimsical photo booth, freshly catered food, a full host bar, and a delicious cake from Neldams/The Taste of Denmark. Lest I fail to include the superb guests, and a memorably festive wedding party atmosphere.

I'm surprised there are only a few reviews of this location beside Lake Merritt. It's a venue rented for various events I have attended, namely Oaklandish puts on a Radio Regatta here every year, which has kegs upstairs, and stuff going on in the courtyard below. I also come to some 420 event a few years ago and people were legally sparking up like crazy upstairs. So so Oakland. There's a kitchen area off this main room where food has been served from at events I've attended, but I'm not sure that it's a fully functional kitchen. The space is primarily on the second floor of the structure, so you have a nice vantage point of the Lake, the view is really nice. The room is large and feels like a church rec. hall to me. Someone said the floor is hardwood but I'm pretty certain it's linoleum. Lots of bright light makes it cheerful despite it's institutional vibe. The outdoor patio is also super sweet. It tends to be pretty calm on the water here, so the patio is a nice place to soak up sun. It's not difficult to find parking nearby, and it's also a walkable location from nearby Grand avenue and even from BART, if you had to hoof it from 19th St. BART it wouldn't be too taxing. The restrooms for this building are external, as far as I know, at least for the events I have attended, you have to go outside to the public restrooms. These bathrooms can be a lifesaver when you're walking the lake. I have fond memories of times spent in this very 70's 'boathouse' by Lake Merritt!

DO NOT RENT THIS PLACE!!!!!!! Warning!!!!!! If you are looking to rent s venue in the near future I strongly advise you not to rent the LAKE MERRITT SAILBOAT HOUSE, because they have RATS the size of cats hanging out in this venue while your party is going on. When you report the incident in writing, per their request. You wait for six weeks just to have no one acknowledge your complaint by not following up or contacting you about the RAT. It's like they all in Central Reservations has gone into hiding (including the director) and no one wants to talk about the RAT or any compensation for me (the bride) for having to encounter this nasty disgusting vermin on the day of my wedding 3/9/19. No bride should have to go through that. The supervisor for Central Reservations @ 666 Bellevue ave in Oakland,Ca, promise me that she would request that I'm compensated for the problem. But now all I'm getting from her or anyone from that place is crickets, no one is responding back to me at this time. My next step will be the health department for the city of Oakland. So please DO NOT RENT the Lake Merritt Sailboat House in Oakland, California the place has RATS the size of cats. Oh! It's also extremely dark around the building and the parking lot. There's a homeless encampments right outside of the door and homeless men are hiding in the bushes near the venue masturbating. SO RENT THIS VENUE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!!!!

I had my baby shower here and it was nice the only thing I didn't like was you had to use a caterer of their choice. Per the oakland park Rec recommendations once you reserved it, they will tell you the cost is better being a resident of oakland or it will be much more,I would rent it again the view of water was pretty with the sun shinning in on such a lovely day of my baby shower in Jan.2013

We recently hosted a Sweet 16 party with close to 100 guests at the Sailboat House. The space was actually quite nice and perfect for this kind of party. Nothing formal, just dinner and dancing with family and friends of the birthday girl. I wouldn't plan a wedding here, unless you're thinking of a nautical theme, but even then, you'd be better off having your big day on an actual boat. But I digress... The space has vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, and floor to ceiling windows that look out on the lake. There is also a wraparound deck where your guests can step out to cool off and take in the view. There is a full kitchen with plenty of counter space and large industrial refrigerators. It's all quite nice for the price you pay, which comes out to just $700 for an 8 hour rental if you're an Oakland resident. If you're hosting a youth event, you'll end up paying almost double with the security requirements. Still, a very reasonable price for a nice event space.

Call the city of Oakland parks and recreations about renting the boat house I called at 2:15 pm on a Thursday, the announcement says their business hours is between 9 to 5 - M-F. 1. the url is broken http://www.oaklandnet.com/parks/rental_facilities/sailboathouse.asp and 2. I call and was put on hold for 20 minutes bounce for one poorly diction announcer to another, ridicules, need speech class for enunciation rules - with the promise your call will be answer soon. After all of that I get a message, telling me to leave a message. Poor Oakland. I can see why the last yelp review was in 2012 and this is 2014. Such incompetence is sickening.

We celebrated a friend's 70th birthday here last night. The building itself is comfortable, w/ floor-to-ceiling windows looking onto the lake. Bathrooms are functional, though not luxe. There is a wraparound balcony which we didn't really take advantage of due to the weather, which started a bit rainy then cleared to crystal clear. The view of the lake, w/ its Necklace of Lights, is stunning. In some ways the building is secondary to the view. There is a kitchen but our friend's wife had the food catered and that went smoothly. Tables and chairs were more comfortable than the "chairs from hell" often found in public spaces. There is an elevator, so those w/ mobility challenges have ready access, although the ground floor area from which you enter and to which you exit is a bit rough and uneven, particularly after dark. There was a $5 charge to park, which surprised us, but parking was close and sufficient for the crowd there, which may have numbered about 75. I've heard about this space for years and envisioned it as being older, w/ more wood. It was renovated w/in the last several years and is a very nice space for a gathering like this. 3.51 stars, 5 for the view.

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Lake Merritt Sailboat House

• 568 Bellevue Ave., Oakland, CA 94610
• Neighborhood: Lake Merritt
• Phone: (510) 238-2196
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Lake Merritt Sailboat House

Lake Merritt Sailboat House is the City of Oakland building that houses the Lake Merritt Boating Center .

Boat rentals are cash only!

How it works

The boating center is open daily from Mar-Oct and on weekends only from Nov-Feb.

In order to rent a boat you have to show certification, pass a written test, or take a sailing class with the center.

568 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, California

510.238.3187

Additional Links

• Lake Merritt Sailboat House Rentals on Oakland's website
• Restoration of Lakeside Park Sailboat House on Waterfront Action's website
• earth day 2014
• Lakeside Park
• needs images
• Parks and Recreation Facilities

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Official Website for the City of Oakland | Interim Mayor Nikki Fortunato Bas

Lake Merritt Boating Center

Boating programs are offered at Lake Merritt and the Oakland Estuary. Youth and community programs provide an entry point to gain skills to explore the wonders of Bay Area boating. You can host special events at Lake Merritt Sailboat House which is located about Lake Merritt Boating Center.

For information on renting the Sailboat House, please contact the Central Reservations Unit @ 510-238-3420 or e-mail [email protected] .

568 Bellevue Avenue

Oakland, CA 94610

Parking inside Lakeside Park on Bellevue Avenue is $2.00 for two hours (or $10 for all day parking) during weekdays and $5 all day parking on the weekend and holidays. Buses are $15 per vehicle daily parking. Special Event parking after 5pm is $10 per vehicle. The parking operating hours are from 7:30am until dusk.

Jack London Aquatic Center

115 Embarcadero

Oakland, CA 94606

510-238-2196 for boating programs; [email protected] for JLAC facility reservations.

Phone Numbers

• Phone Number: (510) 238-2196
• Fax Number: (510) 238-7199

Email Address

• [email protected]

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Reviews of Lake Merritt Sailboat House

• Quality of service 3.4 out of 5 rating 3.4
• Average response time 3.5 out of 5 rating 3.5
• Professionalism 4 out of 5 rating 4.0
• Value 4.6 out of 5 rating 4.6
• Flexibility 4 out of 5 rating 4.0

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Lake Merritt Sailboat House

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