French's Waterscapes

Birds of a feather flock together at the Lake Merritt. The unique fresh and salt water lake is home to the oldest wildlife and bird sanctuary in North America. Spend time at Oakland's treasured waterfront traveling across 155 acres of land, ideal for nature lovers and fans of bayfront views.

Don't waiver on the USS Potomac, affectionately dubbed the "Floating White House." Welcome aboard Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidential yacht, one of the few floating museum attractions in the nation. More than one million people have visited and sailed aboard the restored 165-foot vessel. This unique attraction is a national historic landmark and a memorial to FDR and his accomplishments.

It's a race to the finish line at the International Dragon Boat Festival. Come watch spectacular boats adorned with colorful dragon heads and tails manned with 20 or more paddlers as they reenact a Chinese tradition to appease the river dragons. Today it's one of the fastest growing watersports in the world.

It's zenful at the Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve. Maintaining the fragile nature of this Oakland ecological treasure is of the utmost importance due to its relic plant life found only in a few areas along the California coast. Outdoor enthusiasts and nature photographers alike enjoy traveling across the 240 acres to discover the rare native plants and flowers.