People jog, walk, and walk their dogs around the lake. There's Children's Fairyland entertainment for young children, $6 admission per person, Friday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm--weather permitting, check their website for current schedule and up to date information, no adult without a child admitted and no child without an adult admitted, phone (510) 452-2259 or general information (510) 238-6876, email operations@fairyland.org.

On sunny days, the lake is filled with boats from Lake Merritt Boating Center, 568 Bellevue Ave., Oakland, phone (510) 238-2196, email driley@oaklandnet.com.

Lake Merritt Rowing Club organizes competitive rowing.

There's a Sailboat House inside Lakeside Park,
568 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland.

There's a ring of lights helping with both appeal and safety for the evening.

Accessible by the BART Lake Merritt or 19th St. stations, or the AC Transit buses. Go to 511 Take Transit Trip Planner for travel needs.

The path is paved, with some parts having grass/dirt on the side for those of you with bad knees and who don't want to pound the pavement. As Oakland is near the Bay, you get a nice breeze to keep you cool.