Berkeley
A university town on the east shore of the Bay, with redwood trails above it, the Golden Gate in view, and a food culture that changed how America eats.
Come for the campus and the views. Stay for the bookshops, bakeries and hill paths that make Berkeley worth a second day.
These guides cover the whole city from the Marina to the ridgeline of Tilden Park
About BerkeleyAttractions
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Neighborhoods
Downtown
Berkeley's lively downtown hub of shops, restaurants, and culture centered on Shattuck Avenue.
North Berkeley & Gourmet Ghetto
Legendary neighborhood of world-class restaurants, artisanal food shops, and cafes.
Southside & Telegraph
Lively student neighborhood on Telegraph Avenue with eclectic food, shops, and street vendors.
Berkeley Hills
Peaceful residential neighborhood with panoramic views, hiking trails, and interconnected pathways.
Claremont
Upscale hillside neighborhood with grand homes, open space, and the historic Claremont Hotel.
Elmwood
Berkeley's oldest commercial district with historic architecture, shops, and restaurants on College Avenue.
Northside
Historic residential neighborhood with Victorian homes, tree-lined streets, and local shops.
San Pablo Avenue
Berkeley's main north-south commercial corridor with diverse services and evolving mixed-use development.
Solano Avenue & Thousand Oaks
Charming tree-lined shopping boulevard of local shops, restaurants, and bookstores.
South Berkeley & Lorin
Historic South Berkeley neighborhood with arts district, antique shops, and diverse dining.
Tilden & the East Bay Hills
Sprawling regional park with hiking trails, botanical gardens, and panoramic Bay Area views.
UC Berkeley Campus
Academic heart of Berkeley with iconic Campanile, gardens, museums, and historic architecture.
Waterfront & Marina
Bay waterfront with parks, trails, water sports, and views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.
West Berkeley & Fourth Street
Vibrant shopping and dining district with independent retailers, restaurants, and local makers.
Dining
Berkeley Bowl
Large independently-owned grocery and food shop known for organic produce and diverse selection.
Cheese Board Pizza
Worker-owned pizzeria with rotating vegetarian pies and a buzzing community atmosphere.
Chez Panisse
Pioneering farm-to-table restaurant where California's slow food movement began in 1971.
Guides
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01
A Short History of BerkeleyFrom Ohlone territory to university town: how Berkeley became California's cultural capital.
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02
Best Hikes in and near BerkeleyExplore East Bay Hills and regional trails from easy nature walks to challenging mountain hikes.
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03
One Day in BerkeleyHit the essential Berkeley highlights, from campus walks to food and sunset views.
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04
A Weekend in BerkeleyTwo days of campus culture, science, shopping, food, and live music in Berkeley.
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05
Berkeley Music HistoryFrom folk music venues to punk rock clubs to a legendary recording label—Berkeley's vibrant music culture.
What’s on
- Annually on July 4 Berkeley 4th of July Fireworks at the Marina Berkeley Marina
- Annually in October Berkeley Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow MLK Civic Center Park, Allston Way
- Annually around Juneteenth Berkeley Juneteenth Festival Adeline Street from Ashby to Alcatraz Avenue
- Annually in mid-September Solano Stroll Solano Avenue from Alameda to San Pablo Avenue
- Annually in December Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair Telegraph Avenue between Bancroft and Dwight
- Year-round with rotating series BAMPFA Film Series Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
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Plan your visit
Berkeley is about 25 minutes from downtown San Francisco by BART and an easy base for the wider Bay Area. Start with the practical details.
Visitor guide