January Ushers in a New Chapter for Oakland’s Shoreline

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On January 1, 2026, California Senate Bill 304 officially went into effect—and with it comes exciting momentum for Oakland’s waterfront. For residents of Brooklyn Basin and nearby Jack London Square, the change signaled something long anticipated: the return of neighborhood-serving retail, including the very real possibility of a grocery store just minutes from home. For future homeowners at Caspian Residences, this marks another meaningful step in the evolution of waterfront living—one where beauty, culture, and everyday convenience now align more than ever.

The new law lifts outdated restrictions that had limited many Jack London Square properties to maritime or visitor-only uses. According to a recent SF Gate article, these changes allow spaces once reserved for fisheries, parking garages, or tourism-focused venues to become shops designed for locals— “like, say, a grocery store.”

SB 304 specifically lifts restrictions through 2066 on seven Port-owned properties, including locations along Washington Street, Broadway, and Second Street—many of which sit at the heart of Jack London Square. Savlan Hauser, executive director of the Jack London Improvement District, believes SB304 will be a “big deal” for the Oakland waterfront. The law reflects the current desire for well-balanced along Oakland’s shoreline—“a place where you can get your nails done and pick up groceries for dinner, rather than one that solely caters to visitors…There’s this mystery, because it is one of the most gorgeous spots in the entire Bay Area and just such an amazing, well-connected place to be… At the end of the day, I think we can be both.”

In the meantime, Caspian residents already enjoy easy access to fresh produce and daily essentials. Sunday mornings often start at the Jack London Square farmers market, while a short trip to nearby Oakland Chinatown—about1.5 miles away—offers endless discoveries along 8th, 9th, and Webster Streets, from bustling produce stands and herb shops to bakeries and specialty Asian grocers. The free Woodstock Shuttle, running 36 roundtrips a day, six days a week between Jack London Square and Alameda, also makes a quick Safeway run simple and car-free.

Connectivity is part of everyday life at Caspian. The free Brooklyn Basin Shuttle provides weekday commuter service linking residents to BART stations at Lake Merritt, 12th Street, and 19th Street, as well as Downtown Oakland, Uptown, and Jack London Square—all easily tracked via the RidePal app. With waterfront promenades at your doorstep today and expanded neighborhood retail on the horizon, Caspian Residences continues to redefine what it means to live along Oakland’s shoreline: thoughtfully connected, effortlessly livable, and always moving forward.

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