@@chiefenumclaw7960 I'm in San Jose and it's not that dead here because we don't have the safety problems Oakland does. I've never been to Oakland and never desire to go there, the word is *stay the F out of Oakland*
@@MrKeepMomSafe True. I guess the question is, if you lived on the Eastside would you take your family through Oakland to visit Jack London Square? Probably not. We now live in a suburb of Seattle and we won’t go into Seattle anymore for the same reason. It’s a shame.
Here's the reasons Jack London Square is DESOLATED. 1. It is expensive. 2. People are afraid to be robbed. 3. People are afraid to be verbally and/or physically attacked. 4. People are afraid their cars will be vandalized and/or stolen. Bottomline: Jack London Square simply is NOT worth the risk.
It’s so sad to say, but these types of areas across the country (inclusive of malls) just likely will never return as the culture and economic situation have changed. I know I sure don’t have the resources I used to! And like you said, crime and other unpleasant crap that passes for normal now … it’s easy to pass on such outings.
Plus there is often no more reason to visit these types of places the clothes are overpriced and manufactured in China with poor stitching and durability the restaurants are serving crap out of the microwave and as mentioned your car gets broken into in the parking lot @@Maxine_V
NOT TRUE AND UNLESS YOU LIVE THERE NOW OR DID HOW WOULD,YOU KNOW,I LIVED IN OAKLAND FOR 10 YEARS ,BEN AND JERRYS WASNT TOO PRICEY SUBWAYS WASNT TOO PRICEY
Its almost as if they wanted these areas empty , im curious on when the repairs will start happening , like the electrical the plumbing .......... shouldent be long now
Walmart lasted 1 year by the Coliseum, several years ago. Then left. City of Oakland is in a budget crisis. They are planning to close 2 - 6 firestations to cut costs!
@@KRapPsychicFYI, the Walmart was there for 10 years, closed in 2016 mainly due to the city's minimum wage going up. Crime in that area wasn't the problem back then. Since the pandemic, it's been the problem.
Bro Walmart opened there in like the 90s😂 and left because they built a bigger 1 two exits away. Ppl just says watever. And mayor was a shady bitch. Only cared for her ppl. And was helping her gang member family sell drugs do some fucking research before saying lies . Thats why ppl treat u like they do😂😂😂
@@KRapPsychic - Watch as the fires increase, Soon the cities national holiday will be "Devils Night", instead of just on October 30th it would be every weekend
It's because the Reactionary Media conglomerates do not want to report REALITY! When there sole purpose in business is REPORTING. They just broadcast FAKE shows, fake manipulated problems. You have to remember that these so called NEWS broadcasting companies make there money by selling AIR TIME for commercials and none of these companies that are paying for AIR TIME want any REALITY news being broadcasted. It's a sick world we live in.
When the city invested in Jack London Square, it started a free shuttle service to it from downtown to encourage people to visit, work and live there. The homeless started using the shuttle service too and were allowed no questions asked.
@@nannerl6243 There are thousands of seniors who worked hard all their lives so that squirts like you could have a country, and now find themselves homeless. But you equate homelessness with criminal behavior.
Back in the 80's going to Scott's in JLS was our number one special treat. Going to Scott's 2 or 3 times a year, mostly after finishing all final exams for the quarter, will always be remembered as great times.
My father-in-law who lived in San Jose, absolutely loved Jack London Square, and every time damn near we went to visit him , we went there. I didn't get it, but people loved it. The whole state is in the dumper now. Many buildings and homes that have burned were already empty. Great coverage ML.
It's a shame that socialist/progressive politicians and those who vote for them have destroyed what was once such a great state. These politicians let the public suffer while they have security guards and send their kids to good schools while the commoners go to broken schools. The dumb voters who vote in these politicians are much to blame. They deserve what they voted for. I just feel bad for those who voted for politicians to reverse what is happening to the crime etc because they are suffering even though they are trying to bring about change.
Deregulation of insane restriction via the Communist Green Dealers, hiring competent PD & FD & allowing natural water resources back into the whole region will help. But as long as all of THAT isn't fixed insurance companies aren't taking high risks & endless claims either.
When we were kids Jack London Square was always treat to visit. Since it was on our side of the bay we got to go there more often than the city. I hate the way west coast politicians have ruined so much of the state with their taxing and regulations. Never understood many of their demands. I'm actually glad I don't live there anymore. It was out of control when we left and there's no signs of changing. Only getting worse.
So depressing how much things have changed for the worse in just over 50 years. I grew up in Chicago and used to love going downtown to see the shops/restaurants/museums and just explore. Nowadays it's a dystopia, like most big cities. My future retirement spot is a little town in the boonies of Montana, it reminds me of what towns used to be like when I was a kid, full of little local businesses and people you could chat with and not worry about being shanked. Oakland just radiates depression and despair.
Also grew up in Chicago and would go downtown with my grandmother. We had a great time. Now it is decimated and you may get shot or held up...anywhere. I left many years ago. No looking back.
Thanks for the update Leo! I live in northern AZ now and love being a 4 corners guy... Yea I lived in CA in the 80s and even back in 2016 it wasn't too bad but the way things look now it will be a miracle if anybody stays there!!
I worked and lived in Oakland, in the early 80s as a Paramedic. I thought it was one of the most violent places on earth. We would get shooting and stabbing daily. I finally moved out after my apartment got robbed for the second time. I drove through the Fruitvale area, where I used to live, last year and it was so, so much worse. I didn’t even like driving through it and it was relatively safe when I lived there!
I used to take the ferry from SF to Jack London Square, ride bikes with my family, and then we'd get dinner before heading back to SF. Now downtown SF is a nightmare, and if we drove our car down to the ferry station with our bikes it's a good chance it'd be broken into. What Democrats and liberalism have done to California is devastating.
..true,.. they..the Port of Oakland built this area up in the 80's for retail stores... it never really worked.. now some of the units are office space..others just sit empty..
Once upon a tine pre-Covid, hubby, daughter and I went there for dinner and there was a concert (Alestorm opened by Glory Hammer) nearby. The restaurant was huge and bustling. When I looked for the bathroom it was down a few hallways, so I think they shared it with a few of the other stores...bathroom was huge though. The Square was packed with people because it was a farmer's market night. So sad to see it now. Pepople want things to do but they also want it delivered quickly.
Went to Oakland twice. Ate at Kincaid's in JLS both times. Loved it. I see that they folded back in 2019 though. I naively WALKED 6 blocks from my hotel the first time to eat there. Saw some filming of Nash Bridges (dang has it really been 30 years?). Also, passed by a number of rather questionable looking street folk. Waitress advised me to take a cab back, as it was after dark.
@@LeoMetalTraveler why do you allow maga idiots to spread disinformation on your page? your channel illuminates very concerning things, but are you aware of why it's happening? it's all because of me
@@LeoMetalTravelerit's not that sketchy compared to the rest of Oakland. I know that's not saying much for everyone else on the outside. Oakland will always have some problems with dysfunction, poverty and pockets you don't want to go. But it's not as scary as people on the outside think. People especially in the east bay just don't fork over $ they want for a meal. Things were going really great just before the pandemic and it was more or less the same liberal policies. But we all just reached a tipping point and the pandemic really broke the camel's back.
The police station is like a few blocks away and the criminals still commit crimes, all the locals are apprehensive about going to JLS cause it's dangerous, the police are useless.Its better to go to Alameda or San Leandro to hang out.
My Dad's parents came out from Idaho in 1932, settled in Paradise CA, but lived in Oakland during the war to work at the shipyards. The Oakland Oak's of the old Pacific Coast League...so sad.
Way back when, there used to be a Barns and Noble that my Dad would take us to. I’ve been to so many weddings at Scott’s right there. We would walk all along the square. Shop, eat, and just hang out! It’s so incredibly sad to see where things are today. 😢
A beautiful area just desolated by poor policies and criminal political incompetence. Ex mayor girl Sheng Thao should be ashamed of herself and certainly convicted on her corruption charges.
As a kid in San Leandro I constantly looked forward to grandma taking me to the barnes and noble to wander around and get some books. Wed end up eating some great food, always something fun going on down there at jack london square. I knew shit had changed but i dont think I fully realized the state of this place. 😢
Oakland defunded police service budget by 50% in 2021 so basically no one felt safe and your car was not safe. Urban decay like this is result. Obviously they did not think about cause and effect in that decision.
Oh no, they know exactly what they're doing. They wrote that they want to wreck the world for us. They want us despondent and looking for a way out (if you know what I mean).
Yes, as more and more places are closing down, they have really improved the window coverings! If you wanted to, you could take photos of you and your friends having fun in front of those windows and anyone looking at your photos would think that you were in a "happening place". Just don't turn the camera around.
I hope that all the people that told me this would never happen and I need to have more faith in people when I said the new bills would make crime skyrocket, drive businesses out and make it unlivable are still living there.
What really alarms me is not only are most still there, but the vast majority are aggressively in denial and will attack anyone who points out the facts staring us all in the face. 😐
Even more sad is that those politician's were voted into office repeatedly, to satisfy the virtue signaling of their constituents. Too often, people try to act like those leaders just magically appointed themselves and went awry. Nope.
What's also sad is current politicians in charge will never admit any responsibility for failed policies. Their agenda is to destroy the working class and force everyone to be dependent on the government.
Remember that it was Warp Speed Trump who closed every mom n pop business and told us "three weeks to flatten the curve". Republicans are just as much responsible.
Yoshi's restaurant and jazz club on the NW end of JLS is still very much thriving, with live music every night with just a handful of exceptions. It's world famous and musicians love to play there. I've attended literally over 200 shows there since it opened in that location in 1997 and I have never been accosted, robbed, or had my car broken into
@@websurfer5772 No, I park on the street, usually on 2nd street to the side of the Cost Plus World Market parking lot, in front of or across the street from what used to be Bed Bath and Beyond. One minute walk.
I used to manage a manufacturing plant in Oakland. Employee vehicles were constantly being broken into. Eventually I had all employees remove any valuables from their cars and asked them to roll down their windows....it worked. Windows were no longer being broken and items stolen.
The death spiral has hit the ground. It's over. I used to go there and stay at the hotels for work. I was born there at Lake merrit hospital. I left the state 4 years ago. I'll never go back.
Great video, thank you. I did not know Jack London Square has basically gone out of business. Will ever revive itself? Or, perhaps, never. This is human history in present tense. We don't know what is next.
The only efficiency that seems to still exist with all the closed buildings, is the person who prints up the colored paper posters that cover up the windows.
Jack London Square, like much of America, has deteriorated. The middle class is all but gone. Our economy is only working for the rich, who don't need Jack London Square and the poor can't afford it. It's easy to blame one party or one politician, but that's looking for a scapegoat. Why are we paying our athletes and CEO's so much money while thousands are sleeping on the streets in America? Greed and the demise of the middle class causes this. "Gone now" can be said of the middle class as well as Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, New York City, etc., etc., etc.
The top 1% in America own the majority of the wealth. The disparity has grown dramatically, starting back with Reagans policies. Cut taxes for the rich, trickle down never worked. Same with Bushes, and Trump. Always want to cut taxes for the rich, but use culture wars to get dumb poor people to vote for it.
@@mikeifyouplease how did the TRILLIONS George Bush spent on pointless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan prevent any of this when 11/14 9/11 hijackers were Saudi? Of course this is a rhetorical question because clearly you are far too stupid to answer
You only named blue cities and states, go to Miami, Houston, New Orleans, Vegas, Austin, Charlotte, San Antonio, Tampa, Phoenix and even some cities in Orange County are thriving, Downtown Detroit is thriving right now too. SF, San Diego (some parts of downtown), LA, Chicago, Portland, Seattle and Denver have horrible policies where stealing is almost legal, they are sanctuary cities and you see homeless people doing drugs on the streets.
@@danielr3661 all of the cities you listed are run by democrats 😂😂😂😂 idk how you can be this stupid. and san antonio??? seriously???? that place is an absolute SHITHOLE with junkies EVERYWHERE
Watch who buys these commercial properties. Also, who buys the real estate from the LA fires. Big money will buy everything for pennies when the price is right.
The urchin fountain is cool. My old stomping grounds what a disaster it is now. Scott's Seafood salmon alla bella & dark chocolate torte w.coffee 😋 gone but not forgotten. Thanks, Metal Leo 👋🌟
I don’t know if you meant Scott’s is not there anymore… It still is and the food is the same. Parking underground is somewhere safe. I believe that’s where we park when we go
@@ThePogo321 One of the restaurants he passed said _Scott's Seafood_ too, after he showed the open one, and that was all closed up but I'm confused about whether that was for overflow or what, I don't know.
@@websurfer5772 That is the back entrance to one of the banquet rooms, Scott's Seafood is still open!!! Let's show our support to the business still trying.
Back in the 90's my, then, spouse and I took Amtrak to JLS from L.A. We spent a night on a boat in the marina. The next morning we took the ferry to San Francisco. After spending two nights there we flew back home. Sad to see how far down things have fallen.
Wow a lot has changed since the holidays 2024. I literally saw tons of videos shared from family and friends and it was crowded. Perspective is everything.
I have never been to Jack London Square - I bet back in the day this was a really nice place. So many of these nifty areas across the country gone to seed. Thanks Leo and Happy 2025! 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽
Aww. I remember there was a really good BBQ place there! I think it was called Everett and Jones. That was around 20 years ago, though. RIP Jack London Square.
After doing a little research, I found that the Jack London Square is owned by the Port of Oakland. Its offices are directly adjacent to where you were walking, Leo. Port of Oakland Executive Director says it’s the "moment to modernize". That must be where all their money is going. Widening the ship turnaround areas have taken priority, it seems. All these shops are probably the last thing on their minds right now.
@@TheBLACKboard65 Dellums was a DISASTER. Now there's a talk about Barbara Lee running for the mayor of the city. Oakland being what it is, she will easily be elected. Oaklanders (Oaklandians? whatever) keep electing these losers and wonder why the city is such a dump. Oakland is THE most desirable/pleasant city in all of California weatherwise. Such a tragedy!!
@TheBLACKboard65 jerry was Newsome's direct predecessor as Governor and Dellums was Oakland mayor 2007-2011 with Jerry his direct predecessor? That isn't decades ago.
@@jasonwyland5198 Ron Dellum's nickname was "Do nothing Dellums" during his Oakland mayoral term from 2007 to 2011. Prior to his service as mayor, he served 13 terms in US Congress. He passed away in 2018. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Dellums
Used to go there often. Bevmo, SF Pizza and Tony Romas for ribs. Gone now!! Take the ferry back to Alameda. Great times. Thanks for posting this. We were wondrring about it.
I remember when they broke land for Jack London Square, it was beautiful when they finished it apartments retail parking. It was all there. It’s sad to see how it turned out all these years later.
Back in the late 1990's it was never super busy in the first place. The city gentrified the area in hopes that they could divert some tourist traffic from SF going so far as offering tourism there as a prize on a game show. Tourism couldn't replace the loss of manufacturing however.
It was just busy enough to feel vibrant but you could walk into almost anywhere without a reservation and it was easy to get a drink at a bar. There were lots of friendly, fun people around then too.
This is the same thing I told my husband when he shared this video. This particular area was never really busy at least in the 90's and early 2000's, especially on a week day.
Hey Metal Leo, we love your videos and never miss them. I was wondering about the island right across the waterway from Oakland, Alameda. I was assigned to the general hospital there as a travel nurse around 20 years ago, and I remember it was an awesome little town. I hope its not.....gone now or for lease or no boards, boards, boards.
I was in Alameda yesterday when I was recording this video and it didn’t look too bad, but I also didn’t explore too much. I was just there for lunch at a shopping center. I would like to look into it.
Alameda is not like Oakland, It is ok. A lot of new development there by the Webster tunnel. Park Street is still pretty lively. Thing with doing crime in Alameda, is you have to get off the island. Only bridges and tunnel to do that. Easier to get caught. So it has crime, but not like Oakland.
This is sad, with uncivilized society and crime. My daughter went there and they broke the window out of the car and stole her luggage. Her perception glass gone her computer gone. She will never go there again. Lesson learned the hard way.
Rule #1 is safety. Without safety, you have nothing.
may the sea barnacles thicken on the abandoned boats. the only life that thrives in cali.
I'm your 100th 👍.
I don't think it's 'a safety issues, it's more likely massive tech layoffs and people's lack of disposable income.
@@chiefenumclaw7960 I'm in San Jose and it's not that dead here because we don't have the safety problems Oakland does. I've never been to Oakland and never desire to go there, the word is *stay the F out of Oakland*
@@MrKeepMomSafe True. I guess the question is, if you lived on the Eastside would you take your family through Oakland to visit Jack London Square? Probably not. We now live in a suburb of Seattle and we won’t go into Seattle anymore for the same reason. It’s a shame.
Restaurants and other small businesses require a civilized society in which to operate. This is the result of that not being the case.
Why do Californians keep voting for this????
It’s insanity!😢
Perfect comment! That's the situation exactly.
I wish these pols could be held liable.
Nothing civilized about democrats.
White people are not civilized just look at the history lol
Here's the reasons Jack London Square is DESOLATED.
1. It is expensive.
2. People are afraid to be robbed.
3. People are afraid to be verbally and/or physically attacked.
4. People are afraid their cars will be vandalized and/or stolen.
Bottomline: Jack London Square simply is NOT worth the risk.
It’s so sad to say, but these types of areas across the country (inclusive of malls) just likely will never return as the culture and economic situation have changed. I know I sure don’t have the resources I used to! And like you said, crime and other unpleasant crap that passes for normal now … it’s easy to pass on such outings.
Plus there is often no more reason to visit these types of places the clothes are overpriced and manufactured in China with poor stitching and durability the restaurants are serving crap out of the microwave and as mentioned your car gets broken into in the parking lot @@Maxine_V
all the shop ideas 6:54 for example, are not good as well.. and the shop before that one, 90s gift shop with many sq feet.. makes no sense ha
NOT TRUE AND UNLESS YOU LIVE THERE NOW OR DID HOW WOULD,YOU KNOW,I LIVED IN OAKLAND FOR 10 YEARS ,BEN AND JERRYS WASNT TOO PRICEY SUBWAYS WASNT TOO PRICEY
The reason is there was no Pandemic Recovery Program.
With all these businesses closed, Newsome can claim shoplifting is down, crime is down. Hard to steal from locked up buildings.
It’s just how you spin it 😂
A win for Democrats!
Is that their plan? A state that's full of ghost towns?
@@vcarr32126 what do republicans win other than tax cuts and gettinf away with fraud
@@CarrieCain-vm9ct 15 minute cities
my wife used to work near here and it used to be an always vibrant, beautiful place. this is a criminal act by the politicians
Rent too high.
Thank the landlords
@@PieroGiorgi Landlords are a bunch of greedy SOBs that all they care about is money.
And citizens with empty pockets 😂 a killer combination
@@karelglasner2673 so it’s a criminal act by the politicians, NOT RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE.
@@PieroGiorgi Don't think so. So many empty store fronts.
Who'd have thought not enforcing the law and taxing people to death would lead to this? Amazing!
Its almost as if they wanted these areas empty , im curious on when the repairs will start happening , like the electrical the plumbing .......... shouldent be long now
Democrats obviously...
@@cliffordincalifornia You mean when the copper wiring is stolen?
You know it's GONE when even the homeless have left the area!
I was just thinking that myself!
The homeless won’t waste their time where there’s no one to beg or steal from.
A's,Raiders,Warriors,Denny's In-N-OUT Burger and Mayor ,,,GONE NOW !!!!!!
Walmart lasted 1 year by the Coliseum, several years ago. Then left. City of Oakland is in a budget crisis. They are planning to close 2 - 6 firestations to cut costs!
@@KRapPsychicFYI, the Walmart was there for 10 years, closed in 2016 mainly due to the city's minimum wage going up. Crime in that area wasn't the problem back then. Since the pandemic, it's been the problem.
Bro Walmart opened there in like the 90s😂 and left because they built a bigger 1 two exits away. Ppl just says watever. And mayor was a shady bitch. Only cared for her ppl. And was helping her gang member family sell drugs do some fucking research before saying lies . Thats why ppl treat u like they do😂😂😂
Dont forget the NHL, WNBA and the M/W MLS teams that never were
@@KRapPsychic - Watch as the fires increase, Soon the cities national holiday will be "Devils Night", instead of just on October 30th it would be every weekend
This channel provides ground-level insights not available elsewhere…keep up the good work!
Appreciate that!
It's because the Reactionary Media conglomerates do not want to report REALITY! When there sole purpose in business is REPORTING.
They just broadcast FAKE shows, fake manipulated problems. You have to remember that these so called NEWS broadcasting companies make there money by selling AIR TIME for commercials and none of these companies that are paying for AIR TIME want any REALITY news being broadcasted.
It's a sick world we live in.
When the city invested in Jack London Square, it started a free shuttle service to it from downtown to encourage people to visit, work and live there. The homeless started using the shuttle service too and were allowed no questions asked.
@@sivanm2130 What is the problem with that? Is it a crime to be poor?
@@anthonytripp2251 They weren’t going there to fill out job applications.
@@anthonytripp2251 No crime to be poor, but a crime to steal.
@@nannerl6243 There are thousands of seniors who worked hard all their lives so that squirts like you could have a country, and now find themselves homeless. But you equate homelessness with criminal behavior.
Being poor doesn't give you the right to do as you please or operate lawless.
Back in the 80's going to Scott's in JLS was our number one special treat. Going to Scott's 2 or 3 times a year, mostly after finishing all final exams for the quarter, will always be remembered as great times.
Well said! our best memories is all we have
I used to love that place. I will always have fond memories of Scott's and Kincaid's
Cal was semester. What school did you go to?
@@efrenwilliams9118 CSUH (Hayward)
@@efrenwilliams9118 @Rakeemgrant CSUH (Hayward) When Warren Hall still existed.
My father-in-law who lived in San Jose, absolutely loved Jack London Square, and every time damn near we went to visit him , we went there. I didn't get it, but people loved it. The whole state is in the dumper now. Many buildings and homes that have burned were already empty. Great coverage ML.
As a kid in San Jose I use to watch KTVU channel 2, I’m pretty sure they were located at the square, not sure if they still there?
It's a shame that socialist/progressive politicians and those who vote for them have destroyed what was once such a great state. These politicians let the public suffer while they have security guards and send their kids to good schools while the commoners go to broken schools. The dumb voters who vote in these politicians are much to blame. They deserve what they voted for. I just feel bad for those who voted for politicians to reverse what is happening to the crime etc because they are suffering even though they are trying to bring about change.
You will be happy to learn that the entire state is not a dumper. It is a figment of your imagination.
@tmo7734 unfortunately some of it is.
Why are not even the homeless there? It’s like a ghost town!!! This is all fruits of liberal policies!
I wonder how the city will survive. Doesn't bode well. Thanks Metal Leo for bringing us the real world.
Deregulation of insane restriction via the Communist Green Dealers, hiring competent PD & FD & allowing natural water resources back into the whole region will help. But as long as all of THAT isn't fixed insurance companies aren't taking high risks & endless claims either.
100s of millions of dollars in tax revenue - GONE NOW
Actually replaced with selling pot in Oaksterdam, but where are those taxes going??!
They spent all the money on Unicorns.
@@PorkChopJonesUnicorn farts. Not actual unicorns. They'll never catch one.
@ That explains it.
But think of the tax write offs for the rich owners!
When we were kids Jack London Square was always treat to visit. Since it was on our side of the bay we got to go there more often than the city. I hate the way west coast politicians have ruined so much of the state with their taxing and regulations. Never understood many of their demands. I'm actually glad I don't live there anymore. It was out of control when we left and there's no signs of changing. Only getting worse.
It's so "Gone Now" in Oakland that even The Taggers And Vandalists aren't even bothering to Show up . Thanks Again for another Great Video
Well said
That's because they love the reaction from the public That aren't there anymore !
@@LeoMetalTraveler It's Sunday
@edmundmcgrath213 Sunday in dry clear weather should be BUSY!
Sheng Thao and Pamela Price. 😒
I'm doordashing in the eastbay and NOBODY is outside lately anymore
Left California and Concord 2003 🎉
Be well. I hope you stay safe.
@@Wordup-s4c just as they want it to be
Hope you got your flak jacket and chainmail on!
In the 1980's my ship would dock in Oakland; Jack London Square was the only safe place to go to in the area. Very sad.
I remember those times well, and worked in that area. Fair winds and following seas.
@@Tishomingo640 Gee, why was that?
So depressing how much things have changed for the worse in just over 50 years. I grew up in Chicago and used to love going downtown to see the shops/restaurants/museums and just explore. Nowadays it's a dystopia, like most big cities. My future retirement spot is a little town in the boonies of Montana, it reminds me of what towns used to be like when I was a kid, full of little local businesses and people you could chat with and not worry about being shanked. Oakland just radiates depression and despair.
Went to little Ukrainian Village a couple of years ago there for my wife. I was armed to the teeth. Nothing happened but I could see the devastation.
Democrats destroy everything and everyone they touch.
Also grew up in Chicago and would go downtown with my grandmother. We had a great time. Now it is decimated and you may get shot or held up...anywhere. I left many years ago. No looking back.
I live in Montana what town?
Same here in England .
The heartbeat of Oaktown. Gone like everything else in Oaktown.
flatlined
i came here for good old "gone now" and didnt dissapoint
That’s how Newsom reduced the crime rate😢
This deterioration is happening all over America, not just California. The problem isn't just Newsom.
@@rickn501s He'll be our next Pres. soon enough though.
@@websurfer5772 how when nobody will vote for him common sense
@@websurfer5772 I used to think that, but i'm not so sure now (Not that I would vote for that Clown), with the LA fires and all the rest of it
Going back to its original look nature
Thanks for the update Leo! I live in northern AZ now and love being a 4 corners guy... Yea I lived in CA in the 80s and even back in 2016 it wasn't too bad but the way things look now it will be a miracle if anybody stays there!!
The Money 💰 from Businesses for Oakland Fire and Police Departments Gone Now!!!
if metal leo is coming to your window your likely in a empty building
I worked and lived in Oakland, in the early 80s as a Paramedic. I thought it was one of the most violent places on earth. We would get shooting and stabbing daily. I finally moved out after my apartment got robbed for the second time. I drove through the Fruitvale area, where I used to live, last year and it was so, so much worse. I didn’t even like driving through it and it was relatively safe when I lived there!
You're the best bro! Thanks for exposing the truth!
I used to take the ferry from SF to Jack London Square, ride bikes with my family, and then we'd get dinner before heading back to SF. Now downtown SF is a nightmare, and if we drove our car down to the ferry station with our bikes it's a good chance it'd be broken into. What Democrats and liberalism have done to California is devastating.
Republicans allowed jobs to go overseas, import unlimited legal workers, and allow an ILLEGAL workforce as much as Democrats.
@@jessebfly one partys policy's
@@DG-hb8rh George Bush's trillions on pointless wars helped how?
@@ReturnOfKalki agreed , however looking back most wars us has ben in were under a certain party's leadership
@@ReturnOfKalki definitely more to it , and following the money for some interesting clues
Commercial real estate must SUCK to be in right now.
..true,.. they..the Port of Oakland built this area up in the 80's for retail stores... it never really worked.. now some of the units are office space..others just sit empty..
I'm SURE its not bothering foreign property grabbers.
The whole leadership of California has to be changed not maybe but has to be. Why do they want to ruin California? That has to be answered
Looks like the former mayor may be gone now also.
Locked up long time perhaps
I heard that and I live in Australia ! Mayor Sheng I think ?
@@andrewdean7917yes, Mayor Sheng Thao.
Cause no one wants to get robbed and assaulted while shopping or dining out. The people have no one to blame but themselves.
I won't even drive on the freeway past Oakland let alone visit Jack London Square. Oakland was quite the city back in the 40's and 50's. Not anymore.
C’mon dude, the freeway is fine. Don’t be so overly dramatic.
@@stevefeinstein In the 80s it was the moving targets in a shooting gallery.
when i lived in san mateo for six years, I never stepped foot in Oakland.. i wanted to live the next day.
probably the most depressing part of Oakland tbh. sucks cuz it’s so nice to look out on the estuary. it should be poppin all the time.
Hegenberger at 880 worse.....
Oakland, now a third world country
Once upon a tine pre-Covid, hubby, daughter and I went there for dinner and there was a concert (Alestorm opened by Glory Hammer) nearby. The restaurant was huge and bustling. When I looked for the bathroom it was down a few hallways, so I think they shared it with a few of the other stores...bathroom was huge though. The Square was packed with people because it was a farmer's market night. So sad to see it now. Pepople want things to do but they also want it delivered quickly.
Great tour, I saw that in KC, I think like 2017 or 2018 if my memory is correct. Sad to see the potential wasted of places like this.
I loved having a brunch over there on Sundays..
People need to feel safe to go to the areas. If they don’t feel safe, they won’t show up.
Jack London Square used to be a bright light in dismal Oakland. I didn’t know that it had gone to hell like this. Very sad to see but not surprised.
Went to Oakland twice. Ate at Kincaid's in JLS both times. Loved it. I see that they folded back in 2019 though. I naively WALKED 6 blocks from my hotel the first time to eat there. Saw some filming of Nash Bridges (dang has it really been 30 years?). Also, passed by a number of rather questionable looking street folk. Waitress advised me to take a cab back, as it was after dark.
It was a decent place back in the day but the surrounding area now is very sketchy
I love that show, bubba! 😄 I always wanted to visit the Bay Area because of that show, but not anymore.
@@LeoMetalTraveler why do you allow maga idiots to spread disinformation on your page? your channel illuminates very concerning things, but are you aware of why it's happening? it's all because of me
@@LeoMetalTravelerit's not that sketchy compared to the rest of Oakland. I know that's not saying much for everyone else on the outside. Oakland will always have some problems with dysfunction, poverty and pockets you don't want to go. But it's not as scary as people on the outside think. People especially in the east bay just don't fork over $ they want for a meal. Things were going really great just before the pandemic and it was more or less the same liberal policies. But we all just reached a tipping point and the pandemic really broke the camel's back.
The police station is like a few blocks away and the criminals still commit crimes, all the locals are apprehensive about going to JLS cause it's dangerous, the police are useless.Its better to go to Alameda or San Leandro to hang out.
It makes me sick to see what the democrats have done
Fix it
@mosessupposes2571 if I wasn't 97 maybe I would
Making people sick is their forte.
@@kevincoggeshall3079 Dude, I'm right behind you ... let's not give up quite yet!! 👍❤️.
What is Trump going to do about it ?
My Dad's parents came out from Idaho in 1932, settled in Paradise CA, but lived in Oakland during the war to work at the shipyards. The Oakland Oak's of the old Pacific Coast League...so sad.
My grandpa was a cacther for the oakland oaks
@@rickmcelmurry1578 Sweet!
When I was a kid we used to go and watch the San Diego Padres in Mission Valley when they were in the PCL.
@@WilliamFiler my Relatives Left Saskatchewan to Orchard Farm In The Chico Paradise California Area
@@robertgloeden5798 Great fruit, killer pies!
Here's the reasons Jack London Square is DESOLATED.
Liberal policies
Liberal policies
and
Liberal policies.
Exactly.......
Results of one party bad policies
This is non-partisan. This goes way beyond politricks.
George Bush helped how? the MAGA idiots can't explain
. Sure 😂
Way back when, there used to be a Barns and Noble that my Dad would take us to. I’ve been to so many weddings at Scott’s right there. We would walk all along the square. Shop, eat, and just hang out! It’s so incredibly sad to see where things are today. 😢
Yep. I used to love going to Barnes&Noble to buy books and just chill out. It is indeed sad.
Scott's Seafood is still open!!! Let's show our support to the business still trying.
A beautiful area just desolated by poor policies and criminal political incompetence. Ex mayor girl Sheng Thao should be ashamed of herself and certainly convicted on her corruption charges.
Yet the residents keep voting for the same people, the same party.
@@norwegianblue2017 How did George Bush's wars prevent this?
@ You mean the wars that all the major Democrats enthusiastically endorsed and approved? How does that relate to the failure of Oakland exactly?
But she checked so many boxes. 🤷🏻♂️
She just got indicted.
The paid-for media won't show this.
As a kid in San Leandro I constantly looked forward to grandma taking me to the barnes and noble to wander around and get some books. Wed end up eating some great food, always something fun going on down there at jack london square.
I knew shit had changed but i dont think I fully realized the state of this place. 😢
This is so sad. Many happy times there.
Oakland defunded police service budget by 50% in 2021 so basically no one felt safe and your car was not safe. Urban decay like this is result. Obviously they did not think about cause and effect in that decision.
Oh no, they know exactly what they're doing. They wrote that they want to wreck the world for us. They want us despondent and looking for a way out (if you know what I mean).
@@websurfer5772You are right. All part of a carefully considered plan.
The thing that gets me is why landlords never lower the rent to keep businesses, it seems they’d rather have no business than lower the rent.
The pics on the windows looks like everyone is having Soo much fun!
Yes, as more and more places are closing down, they have really improved the window coverings! If you wanted to, you could take photos of you and your friends having fun in front of those windows and anyone looking at your photos would think that you were in a "happening place". Just don't turn the camera around.
Dystopia, wallpapered over.
Aren't they dumb? 🤣
Forge restaurant just closed on December 26, 2024. It looked like it had been closed for years already. Thanks Leo!
It's sad to see what's happened to that place.
They've moved into a space in the renovated terminal at OAK.
Thank you Metal Leo for showing us the real world. Please continue to be safe 🙏
Sad.
We used to hit the T.G.I.F. every Friday.
Great crowd.
OMG, Jack London Square is basically Gone. I use to eat at the Elegant Farmer in the 1970s. How Sad I always like Jack London Square. How Sad. 😢😢😢
Another Great Video ! Thanks for Posting !
You’re welcome!
I hope that all the people that told me this would never happen and I need to have more faith in people when I said the new bills would make crime skyrocket, drive businesses out and make it unlivable are still living there.
Darn right. That's the reason.
What really alarms me is not only are most still there, but the vast majority are aggressively in denial and will attack anyone who points out the facts staring us all in the face. 😐
Excellent reporting as always, Leo. Stay safe and again, thank you for sharing California going down ....😢
It's really sad what's happened to CA... and it's always due to politicians.
Even more sad is that those politician's were voted into office repeatedly, to satisfy the virtue signaling of their constituents. Too often, people try to act like those leaders just magically appointed themselves and went awry. Nope.
Not politicians, liberals. Their dumbasses voted for it. They reap what they sow.
It always comes down to democrats and their bad policies
What's also sad is current politicians in charge will never admit any responsibility for failed policies. Their agenda is to destroy the working class and force everyone to be dependent on the government.
It's due to capitalism
What a shame. It's all Gone Now!
Lost the Raiders, the Golden State Warriors, the A's, basically no police force, and mayor Sheng Thao was a criminal! Breaks my heart
Your videos should be shown in class rooms and before political rallies to show what happens when you vote blue no matter who.
Remember that it was Warp Speed Trump who closed every mom n pop business and told us "three weeks to flatten the curve". Republicans are just as much responsible.
@anthonytripp2251 LOL, you are delusional. But keep projecting because I need a good laugh.
Yoshi's restaurant and jazz club on the NW end of JLS is still very much thriving, with live music every night with just a handful of exceptions. It's world famous and musicians love to play there.
I've attended literally over 200 shows there since it opened in that location in 1997 and I have never been accosted, robbed, or had my car broken into
Count yourself lucky, and knock on wood.
Yoshi's is legendary for EB Jazz. Good sushi, too!
Was wondering about Yoshi’s. Glad they are still open and doing ok 👍
Do you park in the garage?
@@websurfer5772 No, I park on the street, usually on 2nd street to the side of the Cost Plus World Market parking lot, in front of or across the street from what used to be Bed Bath and Beyond. One minute walk.
I used to manage a manufacturing plant in Oakland. Employee vehicles were constantly being broken into. Eventually I had all employees remove any valuables from their cars and asked them to roll down their windows....it worked. Windows were no longer being broken and items stolen.
I’ve heard similar stories.
It's weird to see smiling faces plastered on closed businesses...Gone NOW!!!
They're havin' a laugh at us.
The death spiral has hit the ground. It's over. I used to go there and stay at the hotels for work. I was born there at Lake merrit hospital. I left the state 4 years ago. I'll never go back.
As an Oakland resident going on twenty years, Jack London Square used to have many great restaurants. Not anymore. It's a shame.
Taxes, high minimum wage, out of control crime: perfect recipe for economic desolation.
Great video, thank you. I did not know Jack London Square has basically gone out of business. Will ever revive itself? Or, perhaps, never. This is human history in present tense. We don't know what is next.
The only efficiency that seems to still exist with all the closed buildings, is the person who prints up the colored paper posters that cover up the windows.
Jack London Square, like much of America, has deteriorated. The middle class is all but gone. Our economy is only working for the rich, who don't need Jack London Square and the poor can't afford it. It's easy to blame one party or one politician, but that's looking for a scapegoat. Why are we paying our athletes and CEO's so much money while thousands are sleeping on the streets in America? Greed and the demise of the middle class causes this. "Gone now" can be said of the middle class as well as Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, New York City, etc., etc., etc.
The reason it is easy to blame one party is... because it is true.
The top 1% in America own the majority of the wealth. The disparity has grown dramatically, starting back with Reagans policies. Cut taxes for the rich, trickle down never worked. Same with Bushes, and Trump. Always want to cut taxes for the rich, but use culture wars to get dumb poor people to vote for it.
@@mikeifyouplease how did the TRILLIONS George Bush spent on pointless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan prevent any of this when 11/14 9/11 hijackers were Saudi? Of course this is a rhetorical question because clearly you are far too stupid to answer
You only named blue cities and states, go to Miami, Houston, New Orleans, Vegas, Austin, Charlotte, San Antonio, Tampa, Phoenix and even some cities in Orange County are thriving, Downtown Detroit is thriving right now too.
SF, San Diego (some parts of downtown), LA, Chicago, Portland, Seattle and Denver have horrible policies where stealing is almost legal, they are sanctuary cities and you see homeless people doing drugs on the streets.
@@danielr3661 all of the cities you listed are run by democrats 😂😂😂😂 idk how you can be this stupid. and san antonio??? seriously???? that place is an absolute SHITHOLE with junkies EVERYWHERE
Gone NOW!!!
GONE!
@@LeoMetalTraveler Keep rocking these great videos :D Thank you
Will do!
Watch who buys these commercial properties. Also, who buys the real estate from the LA fires.
Big money will buy everything for pennies when the price is right.
I was in the Navy in the nineties, and Jack London used to be a thriving place. Have some good memories from there.
thanks for posting. this is proof that the last 4 years has proven a failure.
The urchin fountain is cool. My old stomping grounds what a disaster it is now. Scott's Seafood
salmon alla bella & dark chocolate torte w.coffee 😋 gone but not forgotten.
Thanks, Metal Leo 👋🌟
I don’t know if you meant Scott’s is not there anymore… It still is and the food is the same. Parking underground is somewhere safe. I believe that’s where we park when we go
@@ThePogo321 One of the restaurants he passed said _Scott's Seafood_ too, after he showed the open one, and that was all closed up but I'm confused about whether that was for overflow or what, I don't know.
Scott's Seafood is still open!!! Let's show our support to the business still trying.
@@websurfer5772 That is the back entrance to one of the banquet rooms, Scott's Seafood is still open!!! Let's show our support to the business still trying.
Back in the 90's my, then, spouse and I took Amtrak to JLS from L.A. We spent a night on a boat in the marina. The next morning we took the ferry to San Francisco. After spending two nights there we flew back home.
Sad to see how far down things have fallen.
Is used to be so nice and vibrant there, always bustling with activity. The whole Broadway corridor is decimated.
Indeed, a shadow of its former self.
Thanks!
You're welcome! And thank you too!
I like when the metal one shows himself through the empty stores lol
Wow a lot has changed since the holidays 2024. I literally saw tons of videos shared from family and friends and it was crowded. Perspective is everything.
I have never been to Jack London Square - I bet back in the day this was a really nice place. So many of these nifty areas across the country gone to seed. Thanks Leo and Happy 2025! 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽
It was nice.
I'm surprised those heaters are still there. $$$...Must be bolted down. Thank Leo.
Dying city in a dying state in a dying country in a dying civilization.
I lived in Oakland back in the 80s and the Square was such a vibrant area I can't believe it's dead like this now 😢
Aww. I remember there was a really good BBQ place there! I think it was called Everett and Jones. That was around 20 years ago, though. RIP Jack London Square.
Everett and Jones is still there. He didn’t show that part. It’s a block up from the waterfront, which is where he was filming
Progressive policies are WORKING……we just need a little more time and tax money……..
You betcha.
Which policies? Be specific
theres more people in posters on buildings than on the street
They're completely mocking us. Oh the 90's were so great - their signs say.
I love these videos! Great job Leo!
Appreciate it!
After doing a little research, I found that the Jack London Square is owned by the Port of Oakland. Its offices are directly adjacent to where you were walking, Leo. Port of Oakland Executive Director says it’s the "moment to modernize". That must be where all their money is going. Widening the ship turnaround areas have taken priority, it seems. All these shops are probably the last thing on their minds right now.
Yeah but see they want to break our world in every way so...
On the bright side, I don't see any boards, boards, boards.
yet
I've noticed that too and no homeless, trash, and graffiti.
Jerry Brown contributed to this failure as Governor and Mayor Ron Dellums did lhis failure as Congressman and Mayor
You do know that both served decades ago, right?
@@TheBLACKboard65 Dellums was a DISASTER. Now there's a talk about Barbara Lee running for the mayor of the city. Oakland being what it is, she will easily be elected. Oaklanders (Oaklandians? whatever) keep electing these losers and wonder why the city is such a dump. Oakland is THE most desirable/pleasant city in all of California weatherwise. Such a tragedy!!
@TheBLACKboard65 jerry was Newsome's direct predecessor as Governor and Dellums was Oakland mayor 2007-2011 with Jerry his direct predecessor? That isn't decades ago.
Their plans go for many decades in a row. It's called tip-toe totall lit tarey uhn ism.
@@jasonwyland5198 Ron Dellum's nickname was "Do nothing Dellums" during his Oakland mayoral term from 2007 to 2011. Prior to his service as mayor, he served 13 terms in US Congress. He passed away in 2018. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Dellums
Used to go there often. Bevmo, SF Pizza and Tony Romas for ribs. Gone now!! Take the ferry back to Alameda. Great times. Thanks for posting this. We were wondrring about it.
last time I was in bevmo saw a hobo pissing in the vodka aisle.
BevMo is still there
I remember when they broke land for Jack London Square, it was beautiful when they finished it apartments retail parking. It was all there. It’s sad to see how it turned out all these years later.
That was in the '50s.
great job democrats!
Wait, so they don't have anything like this in any area where republicans are on office? Is there a channel that proves that?
Republicans Too ! They are Both CORRUPT 100% !
It’s like San Francisco just has ghosts from the great past
The real fault lies with the people of California who keep voting for them.😢
we are americas proper goverment. only the kings queens and priests are privileged.
Back in the late 1990's it was never super busy in the first place. The city gentrified the area in hopes that they could divert some tourist traffic from SF going so far as offering tourism there as a prize on a game show. Tourism couldn't replace the loss of manufacturing however.
It was just busy enough to feel vibrant but you could walk into almost anywhere without a reservation and it was easy to get a drink at a bar. There were lots of friendly, fun people around then too.
This is the same thing I told my husband when he shared this video. This particular area was never really busy at least in the 90's and early 2000's, especially on a week day.
When I lived in Oakland in the early-to-mid 1970s, Jack London Square was the new hope for the city. Too bad!!
Hey Metal Leo, we love your videos and never miss them. I was wondering about the island right across the waterway from Oakland, Alameda. I was assigned to the general hospital there as a travel nurse around 20 years ago, and I remember it was an awesome little town. I hope its not.....gone now or for lease or no boards, boards, boards.
I was in Alameda yesterday when I was recording this video and it didn’t look too bad, but I also didn’t explore too much. I was just there for lunch at a shopping center. I would like to look into it.
Alameda is not like Oakland, It is ok. A lot of new development there by the Webster tunnel. Park Street is still pretty lively. Thing with doing crime in Alameda, is you have to get off the island. Only bridges and tunnel to do that. Easier to get caught. So it has crime, but not like Oakland.
The Forge relocated to the Oakland Airport. The city of Oakland after losing its pro sports teams is beginning a major overhaul in layout.
This is "Build Back Better"
This is sad, with uncivilized society and crime. My daughter went there and they broke the window out of the car and stole her luggage. Her perception glass gone her computer gone. She will never go there again. Lesson learned the hard way.
This days especially in California it’s expensive to eat out.
Yeah, and we found the seed oils they cook everything is and drown your salad in are all bad for the gut.
I just went to Houston and New Orleans and the restaurants were full and thriving...
@@danielr3661 That's good to hear.