Oakland Central station , Amtrak 's primary stop for Oakland ( and San Francisco via connecting buses ) was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake . A new station was quickly constructed in nearby Emeryville - close to the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge - on the site of a former cement plant . Emeryville station opened on August 13 , 1993 , though construction was not completed until the next year . Oakland Central station closed on August 5 , 1994 ; Emeryville was the only Oakland-area stop for Amtrak until the new Oakland – Jack London Square station opened on May 22 , 1995 . The station became a centerpiece of redevelopment of formerly industrial areas of Emeryville . A footbridge connecting the station with parking lots and new development on the west side of the tracks was opened in 1997
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
Emeryville station