Last updated: September 10, 2026
Place
San Francisco Bay Ferry Terminal at Jack London Square
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
Jack London Square, 10 Clay St, Oakland. GPS 37.79530 -122.27962
Significance:
When a Pony Express rider missed the Sacramento river steamer that was supposed to carry him directly to San Francisco, he continued by horseback to Oakland. There he boarded a ferry from a pier at present-day Jack London Square and crossed the bay to San Francisco, completing the final leg of his trip.
Designation:
Historic site on the Pony Express National Historic Trail.
MANAGED BY:
Mixed public and private at Jack London Square, but the ferry terminal is managed by the Port of Oakland.
Amenities
11 listed
Benches/Seating, Bicycle - Rack, Cellular Signal, Dock/Pier, Ferry - Passenger, Food/Drink - Snacks, Pets Allowed, Public Transit, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Wheelchair Accessible
A ferry at Oakland carried Pony Express horses and riders to San Francisco on 20 occasions in 1860-1861.
When a westbound Pony Express rider missed his ferry at Sacramento, he rode overland to Benecia, switching to fresh mounts several times on the way. From Benicia, a relief rider continued with the mochila to Oakland, rode aboard the ferry to San Francisco, and delivered the post to Pony Express headquarters downtown.
The first time this happened was in mid-April 1860, when warriors drove off all the horses from Roberts Creek Station, Nevada. The resulting 6-hour delay caused rider Sam Hamilton to miss the riverboat at Sacramento. Rather than waiting 13 hours for the next departure, Hamilton rode overland to Benicia and handed off the mochila to his waiting relief rider, Thomas Bedford. Bedford continued with the post to the ferry pier at Oakland, but he barely caught his ferry.
The captain of the Oakland, a side-paddle steamboat, had been notified by telegraph that Bedford was on his way. He waited awhile but finally gave the order to shove off. Just about then, sharp eyes spotted Bedford galloping hard for the pier, so the Oakland dropped its plank again and Bedford rode on board, arriving in San Francisco on April 23 at 10:30 a.m. – about 15 minutes ahead of schedule! Hamilton and Bedford had covered nearly 100 miles between Sacramento and Pony Express headquarters at San Francisco in just 9 hours and 45 minutes.
The original ferry pier was at the waterfront near the foot of Broadway, but visitors can cross the bay today from the modern ferry terminal at Jack London Square, Oakland. Go to the Oakland Ferry Terminal, leave your vehicle at a nearby parking garage, and board the Oakland & Alameda Ferry. It is a walk-on boat that allows bikes, electric bikes, and scooters but not gas-powered vehicles. Ferries depart at 35-minute intervals and rides are 35 minutes long one way. See the official San Francisco Bay Ferry website for schedules and fares: Oakland & Alameda Ferry Route | San Francisco Bay Ferry. Tickets can be purchased on board or by downloading the San Francisco Bay Ferry mobile app. If paying on board, find the ticket desk before the ferry docks in San Francisco—don't wait till the last minute to buy your ticket. Depending on the schedule, your ferry might stop to take on passengers at Alameda. Remain on the boat until it docks in San Francisco.
To continue your Pony Express tour in the city, visit the National Park Service Places Page for San Francisco.
Site Information
Location (Jack London Square, 10 Clay St, Oakland. GPS 37.79530 -122.27962)