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City in California, United States
Photo: Flickr user: John Loo https://www.flickr.com/people/johnloo/, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Set on sparkling San Francisco Bay, Berkeley (pronounced BURK-lee) will surprise those who recall it as the counter-culture center of the 1960s. Free Speech and flower power are forever in the city "DNA," but Berkeley has evolved into a culinary and cultural travel destination. You'll still see more tie-dye per capita in Berkeley, but a deeper look reveals a dynamic East Bay city filled with superb theaters, restaurants, and shops. Berkeley's progressive, free-thinking environment has seen the birth of quality attractions, great food from many cultures, and of course the internationally renowned University of California, Berkeley. For a city of just over 100,000 people—barely a medium-sized city in the California context—Berkeley is extremely complex.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
BAMPFA
As a visual arts venue, BAMPFA is dedicated equally to art and film. Its art collection and exhibitions reflect the diversity of the UC Berkeley campus and San Francisco Bay Area, with particular strengths in 20th- and 21st-century work. The museum, run by the University of California, is in a building that is itself an impressive work of modernist architecture, incorporating a 1939 Art Deco-style building. With one of the most extensive film archives in the world, the PFA offers many film series throughout the year, focusing on directors, eras, or artistic movements. It also screens some of the films during the annual San Francisco International Film Festival.
Non-profit organization dedicated to the improvements of ecology. Established in 1969, it provides eco-friendly education and focuses on the efforts of urban sustainability and climate change.
The Lawrence
Offers many hands-on science exhibits, especially good for children. Since 1968, the Lawrence has been dedicated to creating innovative science learning experiences. The outdoor plaza (free) is popular for its whale and DNA sculptures to climb on, and features a panoramic view of the Bay Area: San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Oakland and the Bay Bridge. The science center includes a planetarium, a 3D theater, an Animal Discovery Zone, Outdoor Nature Lab, and an area for young explorers.
UC Berkeley, or "Cal"
90-minute student-led walking tours are offered seven days a week. (M-Sa at 10AM, Su at 1PM). Be prepared to climb the hilly campus terrain. For a break, take a seat in the Doe Library's reading room (but don't bring the kids or bother the students). If you're touring alone, the main attraction is a ride up the Campanile/Sather Tower ($5 adults, $4 seniors and children < 18, free for Cal students with ID), which offers sweeping views of the Bay Area.
A half-hour's walk north of the UC Berkeley campus. Especially nice for watching the sunset, with a view of the bay.
A bike and pedestrian path runs around the water's edge to the bay side from the back of the peninsula this 90-acre (36-hectare) park shares with the Marina and Pier, revealing an incredible view of the bay, the city, Alcatraz, the GG Bridge, and Mt. Tamalpais. With steady winds coming off the bay, a large field, and low hills, this is a kite flying Mecca (the first scene in the film adaptation of The Kite Runner was filmed here, though labeled as San Francisco). There is also a kite shop in a truck that parks here most afternoons that sells kites and parts. The park also has picnic areas with BBQ pits, an off-leash dog area, a wetland and wildlife sanctuary.
Indian Rock Park is a 1.18-acre (0.48-hectare) public park located in the northeast part of the city, about one block north of the Arlington/Marin Circle, and straddles Indian Rock Avenue. The central feature of the park is a large rock outcropping on the west side of Indian Rock Ave. You can climb up the rocks on the carved out stairs and gaze at the great vista from the top. Highly recommended for sunsets.
Offers several inexpensive activities for families with children. Many kilometers of hiking trails of various difficulties are available for free hiking, and include vistas of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. Home to a scale, narrow-gauge working steam train. $8 gets five rides through the woods atop the Berkeley hills, including a tunnel and trestle bridge. Right next door is the Golden Gate Live Steamers Club, maintained and operated by 275 members. This is an entire miniature railroad for hand-built steam engines. Bus 67 from Berkeley BART goes through the park on weekends. Also in the park, Lake Anza is a popular swimming destination for families and summer camps. There is a wonderful Botanical Garden with a very diverse terrain and a great collection of manzanitas and other California native plants. Be sure to check website for updates concerning weather effects, construction and so on. Check website for amenities and trail closures as well.
Part outdoor museum, park, and biological research facility for the University of California, the garden hosts over 12,000 different species of plant life.
Alternative Music Foundation
North Berkeley is home to one of the world's most famous punk rock clubs, known simply as Gilman, after the street it is located on. Shows are Friday and Saturday evenings, and sometimes Sunday afternoons. The Gilman is an all ages venue, with a harsh no drugs or alcohol policy, and operates as a private club, requiring you to purchase a membership card to attend a show, though in practice this is only a minimal fee on top of your ticket price.
This "junkyard" playground for school-age kids is a top-10 playground according to the National Geographic magazine. Kids can build with real tools, paint their creations, and play in the water and mud. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and clothes that you don't mind being ruined. Tools are collected 30 minutes before closing time. Zipline is taken down 15 minutes before closing time. Reservations are required (and expensive) for groups of five or more children, including if you plan to meet another family at the playground.
More of a "smell" than a "see", this one-of-a-kind archive includes all manner of interesting scents. For a full sensory experience, you can touch many objects and experience dozens of smells. Tickets include four sticks dipped into displays to take home. The archive includes objects that are centuries old, covering alchemy books, botanical specimens, perfumes, and other aromatics. Reservations in advance are recommended; expect to spend about an hour.
If you can name a type of dance, than the odds favor it being done here, and possibly taught as well. Music and dance from the world. Veggie-friendly food, wine and beer, and kids are always welcome.
Berkeley Rep
With its consistently high-quality productions of contemporary and historical plays, Berkeley Rep is one of the primary centers of theater on the West Coast. The theater is also very pleasant, in a modern way.
Above the Berkeley campus, Memorial Stadium plays host in the fall season to UC Berkeley football games. But if you want to watch a game for free, head above the canyon to Tightwad Hill, a hill where students and the public gather to watch games. It's also an ideal location for spectacular views of the Bay Area when there's not a game going on. Anyone is free to come as long as they pick up their own trash and don't wear the colors of Stanford University (red).
Enjoy the 3-level driving range and rolling 18-hole public course.
Amphitheater that mostly hosts musical performances by well-known artists.
An anarchist library and community space. there is a wide range of books and magazines collected over the years for folks to read, as well as free coffee. on the weekends you may also find political and counter cultural events.
Sample flights of Sho Chiku Bai sake and plum wines in a gorgeous tasting room within the brewery. Afterwards, check out the displays of traditional sake-making gear in the sake museum. Online reservations. (Recommended for weekend tastings)
GameOn is essentially a custom arcade, with numerous hands-on cooperative games to play with a group of friends. They also serve beer in their lounge.
Excellent bagels, with a variety of spreads ranging from classic cream cheese to "sushinova" to "vegan sunshine".
A modest diner with a good variety of Italian favorites.
Fresh, delicious Mexican food with an outdoor seating patio.
A comfy little spot with art on the walls and some tidy exposed brickwork and a sizable menu.
A salsa selection, sangria, tacos and all the standards.
At the back of a small court of restaurants. Online ordering.
A Berkeley institution, with locations on two sides of campus (Durant Ave and Center St). Amazing hot dogs for $3 and walls filled with libertarian political writings.
Six delicious flavors of frozen yogurt daily, on a rotating schedule. You can get a heaping, satisfying cup for $2.75. Not to be missed.
A small California sit-down burger chain that makes good burgers, curly fries, and milkshakes. Try the specialty shakes. Online ordering and delivery.
Collective serves pizza two doors down from its gourmet cheese and bread shop in Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto. Only one kind of pizza is available each day, always vegetarian. You can buy pizza by the slice, portion of a pizza, or buy a half-baked pizza. Often considered the best pizza in Berkeley. Lines can be long in the evenings, and their hours are short. You will often see students and locals seated in the grassy median of Shattuck eating their pizza.
A blackboard full of bagels, coffee, tea and sandwiches. Vegan options.
Gourmet pizza by the slice (Brooklyn style). Daily specials. Online ordering.
One of the key bakeries in the Bay Area Bread Renaissance. baguettes, rustic loaves, some sweet and savory pastries.
This great Pakistani restaurant is one of the anchors of West Berkeley. The daily specials are always good and the goat curry is outstanding.
Delicious, taqueria-style Mexican food. Fantastic, home-made tortillas, savory moles, extensive vegan and vegetarian menus and stiff margaritas all in a large family-friendly dining room. Online ordering. Outdoor dining only.
An upscale yet affordable taqueria serving Blue Bottle coffee. Everything is made from scratch daily with fresh ingredients. Online ordering.
Inexpensive and authentic Indian food, served in a converted warehouse. Some of the best in the bay. Free wifi during afternoon business hours.
Every Cajun item on the menu is a hit. The oyster po' boy sandwich and the crawfish etoufee are highly recommended, the hush puppies with honey butter are sinfully delicious, and be sure to wash them down with some sweet tea. Online reservations for large groups. Online ordering.
Delicious seasonal, organic meat and vegetarian dishes, as well as organic cocktails and biodynamic wines served in a dining room made from reclaimed wood and natural materials. Online reservations.
The best Japanese restaurant in the East Bay. Don't stop at sushi rolls - the robata grill serves exquisite whole squid, quail, and duck among others. The almond-encrusted shrimp tempura is heavenly. Have a house-brewed Pale Ale in the bar while you wait 30 minutes for your table. No reservations. Online ordering.
Salvadoran entrees and small plates with a good selection of Central American cervezas and wines. Catering available. Reservations required for groups of 6 or more. Online ordering.
Vegan deli food: sandwiches, salads, pastries, and so on. On the heavy side but the imitation meats, cheeses, and so on are remarkably good. Weekend brunch. Online ordering and delivery through Doordash.
Nepalese and North Indian food. Online ordering.
Indian food. Many dishes are organic and sustainable. Rachel Ray listed Ajanta as one of only two "world class" restaurants on Solano Ave. Online reservations. Online ordering and delivery.
Chinese cuisine in a beautiful dining room with an open kitchen. Despite the name, the menu is not primarily focused on Northern Chinese food. The kung pao is recommended. Banquet facilities available.
Premium Vietnamese cuisine. Happy Hour from 4PM-6PM. Reservations are strongly recommended. Online reservations.
Now accepting credit cards as well as cash. Available in deep-dish or regular. A local and regional favorite with notoriously long lines. The regular is good, but the deep dish is the specialty of the house: a crispy pie crust with big chunks of tomato. Online ordering.
A fun pan-Mediterranean restaurant in the Elmwood District.
Sandwiches and amazing dry goods abound at this modest temple to baked deliciousness. Online ordering. Takeout available.
For a sinfully pleasurable brunch try the Demon Lover - fried chicken served atop a buttermilk waffle with your choice of gravy or Vermont syrup.
A Thai restaurant in a modest brick building that is full of the favorites and its own delicious works. Happy Hours both weekdays and weekends. Vegetarian-friendly.
Regional Indian restaurant whose menu changes from day to day, each entree on the menu has its own bread recommended with it.
Great egg dishes, Mediterranean entrees and sandwiches made with organic ingredients are best enjoyed on a sunny day in Leila's large outdoor patio, and sip on a house-brewed tea.
Lama Bean's is still home to the $15 three-course meal and shawarma that made it a local favorite in its original incarnation. Online ordering. Delivery available.
Affordable, authentic Italian food in a casual atmosphere.
A first-rate seafood restaurant and lounge right on the Bay. The happy hour drink and appetizer specials in the waterfront lounge are a treat, especially with the fireplace going. The view on the Golden Gate bridge and San Francisco is great. Nevertheless don't expect too much out of the cocktails. There is a fine choices of beers and wines.
Mediterranean and American food in a casual cafe atmosphere. Indoor and outdoor dining. They have great pizza. A nice respite from shopping. Reservations available. Private event space available.
Chez Panisse is the origin of California Cuisine, and still is the best representation of the style that focuses on local produce in season. Named "Best Restaurant in America" in 2001 by Gourmet Magazine and is one of the entries in the book 1000 Places To See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz. Fixed price menus downstairs ($175), which usually require a reservation a month in advance. It's worth it, though. The cafe upstairs offers more variety in à la carte form, and it's easier to get a table. Still, if your parents are paying, try to book downstairs.
New "farm-to-table, organic" restaurant with good wine list. Have the fantastic cornmeal crusted onion rings on the side. Online reservations. Private dining available.
An old-school Jewish deli with outstanding brunch dishes and dinner entrees (try the Beef Stroganoff). Saul's brews its own sodas, with a rotating cast of new flavors. Online reservations. Does not take cash or American Express.
An atmospheric and friendly alehouse that has a wide variety of drinks, many from local brewers and also does burgers, salads and particularly unusual pizza.
The backyard patio is fantastic. On weekend nights they usually have live music in the beer garden. They have a huge selection of beer, including local and their own microbrews. Food includes wood-oven pizzas in many sizes. Online reservations.
A lively leftist pub that hosts a variety of live events from poetry slams to live bands. Check website for calendar and music stream.
An entire wall of whiskey options and a considerable menu of beers and mixed drinks and cocktails. A neat mix of dive bar and hipster. Online orders, same day delivery. Food orders through sister restaurant.
Good brewpub with burgers, salads, and the usual pub fare. Online reservations. Closing by end of 2026.
Milano is a few blocks away from UC Berkeley. No outdoor seating here. A haven for studying students.
Excellent coffee, quiche, desserts and sandwiches. The elderly owner drops by every Sunday afternoon to belt out Italian ballads. Check website for events.
Practically located on the UC Berkeley campus, Strada is a second home to student and professor alike. It's a popular meeting place, and often busy. Great outdoor seating.
Part of a local chain of coffee shops. Pleasant, well-lit, spacious cafe with good seating and a low-key hipster feel to it.
Although a chain, Peet's has a special place in the heart of many Berkeley residents, as it all started with this tiny shop located on Vine Street. Great tea selection, very intense coffee, and interesting goodies. Mobile payments, order ahead, in-store pickup, local delivery.
Delightful fancy coffee shop, known for their Jaffa Orange latte as well as other flavored coffee drinks. Also has pastries, standard coffee drinks. Free WiFi, has outlets.
Anyone with a university affiliation (yes, even students) can book rooms or sponsor a guest. Cheap rates, great views from the hill, a quiet location, and comfortable beds make this a hidden gem for campus visitors. Its location on university property, which exempts you from city taxes, and free parking (a valuable commodity in Berkeley) makes the guest house even more affordable for scholars, parents, and relatives alike. No smoking. No minors. No pets. Please contact first if you have an assistance animal, which are permitted..
Two blocks from the Berkeley BART station, this hotel offers some real luxury. Top of the list is the memory-foam bed! There is also in-room internet access, and a large flat-panel TV.
Large luxurious hotel directly on the Berkeley Marina. Long list of amenities, and a full menu of accessibility options. Service animals allowed. Pets - restricted to dogs only, with non-refundable fee. No smoking. Paid parking.
Rates are cheap, but rooms can only be booked by active members of the faculty club for their guests, therefore occupancy is usually limited to visiting scholars and guests of the university. Cancellations must be made 48 hours or no later than 11:00 a.m., two days prior to the arrival date.
Formerly Hotel Durant
With a landmark Spanish Colonial Revival exterior and an interior that is a blend of Art Deco and Bohemian styles and influences, the Graduate maintains the history of the 1928-vintage Durant. A long list of amenities includes complimentary bicycle rentals and electric vehicle chargers. A blend of the vintage and the contemporary.
Visible as far as San Francisco's Coit Tower on a clear day, this brilliant white hotel is hard to miss. But don't let the Shining-esque grandeur scare you. Special deals run around $170/night, but you can spend as much as you like. Many amenities and services. Travelers from outside North America: Check website for phone numbers nearest you.
Close to campus, a few steps from the Downtown Berkeley BART station. Historic 1910 downtown hotel has gone through an extensive renovation in 2009 and offers rooms with upscale linens and furnishings. Free wireless internet with good connectivity. Parking is only available for $15 per day in the public garage across the street. The second-floor "gym" has only two treadmills and an elliptical, but the front desk offers free passes to the YMCA gym that is a block away. Pet-friendly ($75 non-refundable fee, part of which is donated to the Berkeley Humane Society).
Excellent produce markets that also feature certain prepared foods, cheeses, oils, and performers and booths by many local organizations.
Smaller than Half Price or Moe's, Pegasus still offers a good selection of new and used books, and schedules literary events at their Downtown and Solano Ave. locations. Large selection of left-wing and alternative literature, as well as good local guidebooks with a focus on the outdoors.
Good place for fresh fruits and vegetables. Deli with hot bar for take-out food ($10–12 for a salad or sandwich). Vegan options. A second store is about 1.5 mi to the west, at 920 Heinz Ave.
One of the best reptile specialty stores in the nation. Also has a large selection of amphibians and invertebrates. Staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Reptile boarding services available.
Reusable and zero-waste household products, as well as refills of various kitchen and bathroom essentials. You might find something useful to bring home, and even if not, it's an establishment that really captures a certain Berkeley ethos.
Albany and North Berkeley (between The Alameda and San Pablo Ave). More interesting stores and restaurants.
Large selection of music from a long list of genres, Whole section of movies and TV shows on DVD and Blu-Ray. Trade counter closes at 8PM.
A wide variety of normal and eclectic hats. Online ordering and shipping available through Yahoo Live Store.
A quirky game shop that is worth checking out for its eclectic selection of board games, kites, puzzles, figurines, and trading card games. The staff is distinctively "Berkeley": approachable and enthusiastic in a somewhat funky way.
A four-story new and used bookstore, with an antiquarian room, and a large selection of remainders. They sometimes have in-store readings. One of the premier used bookstores in the Bay Area, and California.
First of a well-known independent music store chain with large selections of used music, DVDs and LPs.
This is one of the best Bollywood and Indian music stores in the bay area. You can find Indian classical music CDs to Bollywood latest DVDs and CDs. Prices are discounted. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and friendly.
Charmingly disorganized thrift shop selling all kinds of random things, with a focus on art supplies. Run by a friendly woman who also made the art pieces scattered around the place.
By train
By car
By bus
By boat
There are ferries from San Francisco to nearby Oakland, but are probably most useful as a scenic method of travel.
By public transit
Public transportation is thus an important consideration in getting to and around downtown and near the university. BART is the fastest connection to Oakland, Silicon Valley and San Francisco.
By bicycle
Weather permitting, the best way to get around quickly near downtown Berkeley or near campus is on bicycle.
On foot
Walking is the least expensive and most effective means of getting around downtown and near campus. You will very quickly outpace most drivers near campus, and most areas east of Shattuck.
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