berkeley guided tours

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Take A Tour in Berkeley

Tours are great ways to get introduced to a new area in a short time. And, if you're a local, an in-depth tour of a familiar attraction can be interesting and enlightening.

Consider these stimulating tours of top Berkeley places. For details, please visit venue websites.

1. UC Berkeley Campus Tour

Led by student guides, this 90-minute guided accessible walking tour gives an overview of the campus and highlights history and architecture . All tours cover housing and dining, academic structure, applying to Berkeley , undergraduate colleges and graduate schools, and safety and health. Some additional specialized tours are also available, including an admissions tour and residence hall tours.

• When: Tours generally commence at 9:30 am. See website calendar for availability and details.
• Reservations: Required.
• Good to know: You can visit the student union for lunch, and many more dining spots are available nearby on Telegraph Avenue .

2. TCHO Chocolate Factory Tour

Everything you always wanted to know about chocolate is explained during the TCHO chocolate tasting and factory tour. All of the chocolate is organic and 100% plant based. The factory equipment is strictly shiny, streamlined state of the art. In other words, you won’t be seeing Willy Wonka or any Oompa Loompas here! Must be age 7+; no pets.

When: Varies. Check website .

Cost: Fee; includes 25% off purchase in the factory store.

Reservations: Required; sign up here .

Good to know: You’ll be given a lab coat and hair net to wear before entering the factory!

3. UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley

Located in lush Strawberry Canyon, this 34-acre garden is home to more than 10,000 kinds of plants organized into nine major geographic collections. More than 2,200 are rare and/or endangered. Noteworthy sights include a rhododendron dell, a redwood grove, and a California area that occupied about one-third of the Garden and represents about 25% of the state's flora. It is one of the larges species collections of California native plants worldwide!

• Tour times: Saturdays and Sundays at 1 pm.
• Cost: Free with garden admission
• Reservations: Recommended for non-UCBG members and available here .
• Good to know: Pets are not allowed in the Garden due to the sensitivity of the plant collection. Only trained service dogs are permitted, but must be cleared at the Kiosk by Garden staff. The Lawrence Hall of Science is just a little farther up the road.

4. Regional Parks Botanic Garden

Established in 1940, this 10-acre garden located in rambling Tilden Regional Park collects, grows, displays, and preserves native California plants. Tours usually last about an hour and are appropriate for both adults and children.

• When: Saturday at 2 pm, Sunday at 11 am and 2 pm, and some holidays at 2 pm.
• Cost: Free. Admission to the garden is also free.
• Reservations: Not needed.
• Good to know: Pets are not permitted. Tilden Park’s Little Farm and the Merry-Go-Round are nearby.

5. Berkeley City Club

Designed by architect Julia Morgan--who graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 1894 with a B.S. honors degree in civil engineering, and who famously designed Hearst Castle--the magnificent landmark Berkeley City Club features Moorish and Italian Gothic elements and is decorated with oriental rugs and vintage furniture. It is a visual delight. A guest room can be seen by request if one is available. Tours last 45 minutes.

• When: Tours are offered on the fourth Sunday of the month, January-November. Drop in between 1 and 3:30 p.m.
• Good to know: On-site Julia’s Restaurant and Morgan’s Bar are open to the public, but never on Sunday. Telegraph Avenue is just two blocks away.

6. Edible Excursions

Edible Excursions walking tours feature culinary destinations around the Bay. Berkeley's Edible Excursions tour focuses on the famous foodie mecca known as North Shattuck , which is home to Alice Waters’ world-renowned Chez Panisse restaurant. Among the tour stops are the historic Cheese Board Collective to sample pizza and gourmet cheese and the original Peet’s Coffee .

• When: North Shattuck: Saturdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Good to know: You’ll get plenty to eat during these samplings. Plan your "before and after" meals accordingly.

7. Berkeley Historical Walking Tours

The Berkeley Historical Society offers neighborhood walking tours and special events. The Walking Tours are offered in the spring and fall. The Berkeley Historical Society Musuem is also a wonderful experience, filled with treasures from the past with relevance for the present and future.

When: Check website for calendar.

8. Telegraph Berkeley Tour

Experience Telegraph Avenue and the people who inspired and shaped its history with exclusive images, stories, and audio recordings, on this app-based tour curated in partnership with UC Berkeley and the Telegraph Business Improvement District. Points of interest along Telegraph Avenue are highlighted, with many historical references.

• Cost: free download at the App Store and Google Play: “ Telegraph Berkeley Tour. ”
• Good to know: Headphones are not required!

9. Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association house tours

The Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA) is Berkeley’s non-profit preservation organization whose mission is to promote, through education, an understanding and appreciation for Berkeley’s history, and to encourage the preservation of its historic buildings. BAHA's main annual event is a spring house tour.

• When: Check website for date.

These are just some of the many tours you can take to see all of the beauty in Berkeley. Meanwhile, check out our travel itineraries for even more inspiration.

Award-winning travel writer Carole Terwilliger Meyers, a native San Franciscan, holds a B.A. degree in anthropology from San Francisco State University and an elementary teaching credential from Fresno State College. She is the author of eighteen books, the editor of five books, and the mother of two children -- with whom she has been through the road wars and in the travel trenches first-hand. Learn more about Carol at https://www.berkeleyandbeyond2...

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About the Author

Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Related partners.

UC Berkeley Koret Visitor Center 2207 Piedmont Avenue, Room 141 Berkeley, California 94720 U.S. Details   Open in Google Maps

UC Berkeley Koret Visitor Center

2207 Piedmont Avenue, Room 141 Berkeley, California 94720

UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley 200 Centennial Dr Berkeley, California 94720 U.S. Details   Open in Google Maps

UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley

200 Centennial Dr Berkeley, California 94720

Tilden Regional Park 740 Wildcat Canyon Rd. Berkeley, California 94708 U.S. Details   Open in Google Maps

Tilden Regional Park

740 Wildcat Canyon Rd. Berkeley, California 94708

Berkeley City Club 2315 Durant Ave Berkeley, California 94704 U.S. Details   Open in Google Maps

Berkeley City Club

2315 Durant Ave Berkeley, California 94704

Berkeley Historical Society & Museum 1931 Center St Berkeley, California 94704 U.S. Details   Open in Google Maps

Berkeley Historical Society & Museum

1931 Center St Berkeley, California 94704

Edible Excursions North Shattuck California U.S. Details   Open in Google Maps

Edible Excursions

North Shattuck , California

Telegraph Business Improvement District 2437 Durant Ave Ste 206 Berkeley, California 94704 U.S. Details   Open in Google Maps

Telegraph Business Improvement District

2437 Durant Ave Ste 206 Berkeley, California 94704

North Shattuck Association 1700 Shattuck Ave Ste 318 Berkeley, California 94709 U.S. Details   Open in Google Maps

North Shattuck Association

1700 Shattuck Ave Ste 318 Berkeley, California 94709

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Plan your visit

A visit to UC Berkeley is the best way to discover the many facets to a well-rounded, rich, and dynamic student experience. No matter how much you’ve read or heard about Berkeley, nothing can compare to seeing it for yourself!

Stroll along Sproul Plaza, meet our students, listen to an Admissions presentation, talk to advisers, visit a residence hall, and maybe even run into one of our Nobel Prize-winning faculty.

Here’s how: 

• Register to attend an undergraduate admissions presentation offered on weekdays to learn about the application process. Advanced registration required .
• Join a campus tour led by trained student ambassadors. Visitor Services offers tours seven days a week, including most campus administrative holidays. For more information and to reserve a tour, visit the Visitor Services website .
• Find out what’s happening on campus. From museums and performances to lectures and sporting events, something interesting is always happening here. Find out about specific venues, or check the Events calendar . 

Experience campus virtually

• General campus interactive tour 
• Residence halls virtual tour
• Self-guided Black history tour

Group Reservations

Discover the world of plants with the uc botanical garden.

Gratis College & University Class Admissions

Schedule a self-guided group visit, schedule a youth  or adult group docent-led tour, © 2022 uc botanical garden at berkeley.

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Berkeley Forests also has some self-guided tour options. Blodgett Forest Research Station  is home to the  Trail of Epiphany, a three mile tour through the various management alternatives and research done at Blodgett Forest and beyond! Visitors can read signs as they hike to learn about the research that goes on at Blodgett, the flora and fauna of the forest, Blodgett history, and more.  Visiting Blodgett is a great way to see forest stands being managed using a variety of techniques and witness firsthand how these methods can improve forest health and fire resiliency.

Note that the Blodgett gate closes at 4:00PM. The main office is open from 7:30AM-4:00PM Monday-Friday. If you have any questions, please contact Ariel Roughton, Forester and Berkeley Forests Manager, at  [email protected] .

10 Things To Do In Berkeley: Complete Guide To Living Like A College Local

L ocated in the Bay Area near San Francisco, Berkeley is a classic blend of history, art, culture, and cuisine and serves as a breeding ground for writers, artists, and musicians. Berkeley is the home to the prestigious UC Berkeley, also known as Cal, and the inception place of activism during the Civil Rights Era .

The town is also known for its art scene as well as architecture, making it a hidden gem within the Southern California map. With a rich history, Berkeley is a town that every California vacationer should stop in.

UPDATE: 2023/07/19 16:29 EST BY NOAH STAATS

Berkeley, California, Is Much More Than Meets The Eye!

This article has been refreshed with new places to see while in Berkeley, California, as well as other helpful information for a successful California getaway. From the University of Berkeley, the marina, 4th Street, and even a 1940s horse racing facility, this town is packed with things to experience. Have fun and be safe!

Things To Do

Berkeley provides a plethora of mind-soothing tourist hotspots, including various cafés, bookstores, meet-up points, and lodging options, making it a nice weekend getaway in the Bay Area. Here's our ultimate guide to the college town and California gem!

Catch A Show At The Greek Theatre

One thing to do while in Berkeley, California, is to visit the Greek Theatre. Here, people can experience one of the nation's most beloved and recognized outdoor entertainment centers.

This amphitheater hosts countless live performances as well as local productions throughout the year, making it a prime spot for culture. One of the nice things about Berkeley is its love for the arts.

In addition, the Greek Theatre is an 8,500-seat property owned and operated by the University of California, Berkeley. Like much of the city, UC Berkeley has its hands on this attraction.

• Address : Hearst Greek Theatre, 2001 Gayley Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720
• Hours : Dependent on the show

Tour The UC Berkeley Campus

Take a tour of the much acclaimed UC Berkeley, and witness 178 acres of architectural marvel. Start with Koret Visitor Center, which offers a complete tour of the campus; for those short on time, go for the self-guided tour option .

Take the elevator at the Sather Tower to reach the top of Cal's most iconic building. Here, a 200-foot level platform provides a beautiful view of the entire Bay Area and the Cal campus. Take a walk around Strawberry Creek to get in Zen mode.

Take a photo at the marble steps of Morrison Library, which serves as a spot for graduation photos. Look around for Founders Rock which is the heart of the campus.

• Address : University Avenue and Oxford St, Berkeley, CA 94720
• Hours : Monday-Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm · Saturday-Sunday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

What (else) is there to see at UC Berkeley?

Notable attractions include the historic Sproul Plaza, a center of student activity and the Free Speech Movement, the third-tallest bell and clock tower, Sather Tower, Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology with over 3 million artifacts, the Botanical Garden, Hearst Greek Theater, and Lawrence Hall of Science, offering exhibits and planetarium shows for all ages, including 3D film screenings, with the UC Berkeley Campanile providing breathtaking views of the Bay Area.

Visit The Beautiful Botanical Garden In The Campus

Stretched in around a 34-acre area, this botanical garden is home to more than 10,000 varieties of plants from across the world. Tourists can get a tour of this garden which starts at regular intervals. Unwind under shades of trees and grab a quick bite while enjoying this pleasant garden.

Telegraph Avenue District

Telegraph Avenue is located near the UC Berkeley campus, it serves as a venue for socialization and gathering for UC Berkeley students, and it is known for its roots in the 1960 Berkeley Protest .

This is ground zero for the counter-culture that makes Berkeley quirky.

The street is filled with cafés, bookstores, and numerous street vendors. Some of the landmark music and bookstores include Rasputin Music, Amoeba Music, and Moe's Books.

Koret Visitor Center

This is the starting point for visiting the UC Berkeley campus; this is a 1 hour 30 minute, student-guided tour and requires online reservation beforehand; visit the website for more info.

Head Over To Downtown Berkeley

Like other cities, Berkeley's downtown is the heart of the city, surrounded by restaurants, coffee shops, and entertainment hubs like the Repertory Theatre. It's also worth noting that the downtown section of Berkeley is considered the business district, bringing offices, restaurants, shops, and financial institutions to the area.

This is where many travelers want to do most of their walking, as it's easy to navigate between the countless businesses. On top of that, Downtown Berkeley is lively during weekends and holidays, being a favorite for students and other young residents.

An illuminated fountain and a farmers’ market are among the attractions at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, so this is a spot everyone will want to see while in Berkeley.

Take In The Sights At Tilden National Park

Located in the east of the UC Berkeley campus, this 2077-acre park boasts breathtaking bay views with a rich botanical garden. This park is loved by children, especially the interactive little farm, steam train, and vintage carousel.

Visitors can soak in the sunset, which is a hike away. This park also offers various sights like the Lake Anza swimming site, golf course, and various picnic spots.

• Address : 2501 Grizzly Peak Blvd, Orinda, CA 94563
• Hours : Open daily from 5 am to 10 pm

Check out the Tilden Park website to learn about various events happening in the park.

Berkeley Art Museum And Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA)

Located in the heart of Berkeley downtown, this is a concoction of an art museum. This repertory movie theater has an extensive collection of approximately 28000 artworks and 18000 films and videos.

It is a delight for art lovers and serves as an educational space for UC Berkeley scholars and the public. Don’t forget to check their website for the latest exhibitions and films.

• Address : 2155 Center St, Berkeley, CA 94720
• Hours : Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm

This art museum was first opened in 1970 and has since become a beacon of the city. For those who love film, this is a must-see while in the Berkeley area.

Bask In The Sunset At Berkeley Marina

Located on University Avenue, this city park is a quick getaway for nature lovers. The vast grassy land provides perfect picnic spots along with running trails and bike paths.

The Berkeley Marina is the westernmost portion of the city of Berkeley, located west of the Eastshore Freeway at the foot of University Avenue on San Francisco Bay. This is where many people spend sunrise and sunset in the city, watching it over the beautiful blue water.

The Marina is also free to enter and walk around, making this a nice affordable day trip for guests of the city. There are quite a few restaurants here as well, including ones serving fresh Californian seafood!

• Address : 124 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710 (Marina Center)

Shop & Eat On 4th Street

Located north of University Avenue, this stretch is one of the busiest places for refined shopping and eating in the city. The street hosts more than 70 shops that are designed keeping in mind the love of artful living and fashion.

There are endless stores here, including Lulu Lemon, Athletica, Kiehl's, Madewell, MAC, and Aveda, as well as smaller, locally-owned businesses. Like the Marina, 4th Street also boasts many restaurants and public walking spaces, making it another perfect place to spend a few hours in the afternoon or evening.

• Address : Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
• Hours : Open 24 hours

For people not wanting to spend all day in the car, 4th Street is perfect for walking or riding city scooters/bikes. There are many restaurants, shops, and entertainment opportunities throughout this area of Berkeley.

Take Some Quiet Time At Indian Rock Park

Indian Rock Park is a perfect spot for gazing at the sunset; visitors can witness the breathtaking scenery unfolding in front of them as the sun sinks beneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

Indian Rock Park is a 1.18-acre public park at 950 Indian Rock Avenue, where various social events and live performances take place throughout the year. For those visiting Berkeley in the spring or summer, there should be quite a bit going on throughout the park, especially on weekends.

Direction-wise, the park is tucked away at the northeast side of Berkeley, about two blocks north of the Arlington/Marin Circle, and straddles Indian Rock Avenue.

This is one of the better public parks in the area and is free to enter. Parking might be challenging in the busier months and seasons, so consider that before venturing out.

• Address : 950 Indian Rock Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707
• Hours : Open daily from 6 am to 10 pm

Shop And Explore On San Pablo Avenue

Witness the evolution and diversity of Berkeley culture at this avenue; visitors will find every bit of the world doing their business in this happy place. Here they will get some of the best avocado toast, thin-crust pizzas, and handcrafted cappuccino in town.

San Pablo Avenue is a student-friendly neighborhood offering famous board games and free popcorn for grad students. Shop for home decor at the famous Mignonne Décor, or check out the pricey Victorian frame at Ohmega Salvage.

Visitors can find some exclusive jewelry at Kiss My Ring and some really cool gifts at Juniper Tree Supplies. If anyone in the group needs to keep busy for the day, this is certainly one spot to consider.

• Address : 2072 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702

San Pablo Avenue is a major thoroughfare that runs northwest from the center of Oakland at Frank Ogawa Plaza to the city of Crockett.

See A Race Or Concert At Golden Gate Field

Sports enthusiasts will not want to miss this place, it is a one-stop place for horse watching and sports watching, and there are rooms with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating facilities that broadcast several sports simultaneously.

It's worth mentioning that this location has been an American horse racing track straddling Albany, California, and Berkeley since 1941 and has become a historic landmark of the area. Structurally, it's very unique and tends to be a hot spot for photography.

On top of that, there are also live music events held here throughout the year, making it a nice spot to unwind at night. It's recommended to check the official website for upcoming events and plan accordingly.

• Address : 1100 Eastshore Hwy, Berkeley, CA 94710
• Hours : Dependent on the event

Related: 10 Best Places To Glamp Near California's Bay Area

Best Time To Go To Berkeley

Berkeley enjoys refreshing weather all year round – thanks to its location in the San Francisco Bay Area, the climate is usually mild – summers not too hot and winters not too cold!

A good time to visit is between June to August, which is also when a lot of tourists flock to the city, so hotel and activities prices are usually on the higher side.

• Does Berkeley, California get snow? No ; it's very rare for Berkeley to experience snow, especially at its elevation of 171 feet.

Best Ways To Get Around Berkeley

Berkeley can be reached via San Francisco or Oakland airport if visitors prefer air travel. Consider flying to Oakland, as it is a smaller airport, relatively easier to manage, and also, it is closer to Berkeley.

From either of these airports, visitors can take a taxi, which will be costly, or they can use BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), take a shuttle to BART, and BART to Berkeley!

Get down at “Downtown Berkeley” station and catch a BearTransitShuttle , or an AC Transit Bus to travel within the city. Visitors can also book an Uber for comfortable travel.

Related: 10 Must-Visit Places You Should See In California

Where To Eat In Berkeley, California

Berkeley, with its diverse and widespread food joints offering authentic cuisine experiences, presents an excellent opportunity for travelers to combine their culinary adventures with sightseeing, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers.

Shattuck & Vine Street Neighborhood

Shattuck and Vine Street is a culinary heaven! Alice Waters's Chez Panisse attracted a lot of food enterprises, brands, and entrepreneurs to put up shops across Shattuck Avenue.

Located on this street is Gourmet Ghetto , which offers food from across the world at a broad price range. Head on to Chez Panisse, which is an upscale American restaurant crafted by Alice Waters and dedicated to fresh and seasonal food. Check out the 400 different cheeses offered by the Cheeseboard Collective , which is a worker-owned cooperative. The place hosts an organic farmer’s market every Thursday. Visitors can also sign up for a culinary walking tour or just roam around the street and explore some of the finest culinary, gift shops, and self-designed jewelry shops.

If visitors are up for modern Indian cuisine, Hop on to Tigerlily or walk down a few steps to Epicurious Garden for Shushi or gelato. In the mood for some wine tasting? Look for Vintage Berkeley wine shop and get a reasonably priced bottle here. True coffee lovers can't miss original Peet’s Coffee and Tea at the corner of Walnut and Vine shop to enjoy Berkeley dark roast java coffee since 1966.

Masse’s Pastries is a combination of art and food that travelers should not miss when exploring this avenue. If sandwiches and salad sound good, try Gregoire. Book a culinary walking tour by Edible Excursion to experience the North Shattuck’s cuisine in the best way possible.

Berkeley downtown is filled with food corners ranging from quick bite shops to fine dining, do check out Gather for omnivorous cuisine and craft cocktails. Zino offers a fine-dining Mediterranean cuisine option. Almare Gelato and Italian ice creams are all-time favorites.

Telegraph Avenue

This four-and-a-half-mile stretch is one of the most distinct commercial districts of Berkeley. It is the birthplace of lattes and has also made ice cream and sandwiches famous. Check out The Bird and Top Dog, Henery’s, and Mezzo, the sandwich and salad spot for food worth trying.

Best Places To Try Berkeley's Authentic Drinks

Berkeley, California, is home to a vibrant microbrewing scene that originated in 1985 at Triple Rock Brewery & Alehouse. This local brewery boasts a dedicated fan following thanks to its commitment to artisanal and alehouse cuisine. Jupiter is another not-to-be-missed destination, offering handcrafted beers and ales complemented by award-winning wood-fired pizzas. For those seeking an authentic taste of Berkeley's best brews, a visit to Gilman Brewing Company promises an experience filled with award-winning beverages.

Wine enthusiasts will find their haven in West Berkeley, where a one-block radius is home to an impressive array of half a dozen wineries. Among the notable wineries are Broc Cellars, Doney & Goat, Lusu Cellars, and Vinca Minor, each offering delightful and flavorful natural wines. And if one happens to wander around Fourth Street, the elevated wine-tasting experience at Wine SoCru is not to be overlooked.

Where To Stay In And Around Berkeley

Whether visitors are on a luxury trip with family enjoying a holiday or backpacking Bay Area and looking for a budget stay, Berkeley has a lot of options to offer. It is well-connected with roads, so going from one place to another is not a tiresome task.

Listed here are some of the finest stay options based on budget.

Downtown Berkeley Inn

• Located in the heart of the city, this budget hotel offers a lot of restaurants, shopping, and entertainment choices nearby.
• Address: 2001 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, California 94704

Super 8 By Wyndham Berkeley

• Located on University Avenue close to BART and the university campus, this renovated Motel offers all amenities that travelers expect. Right from TV and refrigerator to parking and 24-hour customer service.
• Address: 1619 University Ave, Berkeley, California 94703

Related: West Coast United States Travel Guide - Top Sights, Restaurants & Accommodations

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Berkeley

• Located on University Avenue, the 26-unit property offers free guest parking, TV, hairdryer, and 24-hour customer service and is near North Berkeley BART station and CAL.
• Address: 1512 University Ave, Berkeley, California 94703
• Cost: $$ - $$$

Quality Inn University

• This is a well-connected hotel and offers free breakfast, Wi-Fi, and a Business Center.
• Address: 1761 University Ave, Berkeley, California 94703

Travelodge by Wyndham Berkeley

• This hotel offers clean and comfortable rooms with security locks; this stay is four blocks away from Cal and close to the downtown Berkeley BART station.
• Address: 1820 University Ave, Berkeley, California 94703
• Cost: $$ - $$$$

Bancroft Hotel

• One of the best hotels if travelers can shell out extra money, located very close to the Cal, this green hotel offers bay and campus views with all the amenities.
• Address: 2680 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, California 94704

Berkeley City Club

• Designed by Julia Morgan, this historic hotel is an architectural marvel equipped with fine dining and a private social club.
• Address: 2315 Durant Ave, Berkeley, California 94704

Rose Garden Inn

• Located in the vicinity of Cal, this oasis offers a complimentary buffet breakfast, Wi-Fi, and limited parking.
• Address: 2740 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, California 94705

DoubleTree by Hilton Berkeley Marina

• The best thing about this luxury hotel is its location in Berkeley Marina, as it provides an amazing view of the Bay Area, San Francisco skyline, and Golden Bridge. The rooms are spacious and come with either balcony or patio.
• Address: 200 Marina Blvd., Berkeley, California 94710

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

• Rated as one of the top hotels in the city, located near Interstate 80 in Berkeley. This hotel is an ideal stay option and one of the top picks for a luxury vacation.
• Address: 1175 University Ave, Berkeley, California 94702

Tips For Visiting Berkeley, California

Beautiful murals on walls, parks, and driveways can be found throughout the city, so a walking tour may be in order. Berkeley is a very diverse city; it accepts people coming from different walks of life, making its culture distinctly vibrant.

Berkeley has a series of small restaurants and shops that are authentic to the city and cannot be found anywhere else. The city ignites creativity in several different ways – murals, book cafés, hidden stairways in Berkeley Hills, and How Berkeley Can You Be Parade .

Related: 10 Crazy Affordable (But Scenic) West Coast Road Trips

How To Spend A Perfect Day In Berkeley

Berkeley has a lot to offer to its travelers. The rich and vibrant culture of the city is visible in its architecture, cuisines, and art. A perfect day in Berkeley should include a visit to the acclaimed UC Berkeley campus, where visitors can spend time in the Botanical Garden, Sather Tower, Sproul Plaza, and Lawrence Hall of Science.

Spend the afternoon visiting BAMPFA, the art museum and repertory movie theater, and exploring the Shattuck and Vine Street and witness some of the authentic cuisine that Berkeley has to offer.

The evening should be reserved for a nature walk at Tilden Park, especially during the sunset, to capture the beautiful scenery of the sun dipping down on the Bay Area. Late evenings can be spent shopping on 4th Street or Downtown.

Q: What is the best time to visit Berkeley?

Best time to visit Berkeley is between June to August when the temperature is moderate and the city is lively.

Q: What activities does Berkeley offer?

Berkeley is a college town known for art, botany, history, and the San Francisco Bay. The city of San Francisco itself, the most walkable place in the US , is only a short day trip away.

Q: What is Berkeley known for?

Berkeley is known as a college town that's convenient to the rest of the Bay, including San Francisco. It's one of the must-see places in California for art, culture, and more.

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Educating leaders. Creating knowledge. Serving society.

Self-guided audio tour

Engineering has been a core part of UC Berkeley’s identity since it was founded in 1868. Follow along with audio that goes more in-depth into the history of Berkeley Engineering and the research and resources available.

McLaughlin Hall

Named for Donald McLaughlin, a professor at Harvard and Berkeley, first dean of engineering (1941–43), UC Regent (1951–67) and Peruvian gold mining tycoon. The building was designed by George Kelham.

McLaughlin houses the administrative offices of the College of Engineering and the Institute of Transportation Studies. It is also home to Engineering Student Services while the Engineering Center is under construction.

Engineering Center

When the Engineering Center opens in 2025, it will provide one-stop access to the programs that help our students succeed — advising, career services, tutoring, academic and social events, and our signature entrepreneurship programs, including the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology and the Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology (M.E.T.) program.

Named for Professor Raymond Davis, who spent 50 years on the Berkeley faculty and developed the Engineering Materials Laboratory into one of the world’s finest. 

Davis is the home to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and it houses several laboratories for earthquake engineering research, including the Structures and Materials Laboratory and the Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory. The building’s ground-floor “structures bay” rises two stories, providing space for testing many types of materials and designs, from scale models of California highway overpasses to segments of the Golden Gate Bridge. The lab is available to all researchers, professionals and clients from the industry to solve basic and applied problems in structural engineering. The Center for Access to Engineering Excellence (CAEE) is currently located on the third floor during the construction of the Engineering Center. CAEE is where students can find academic support, including tutoring and deep dives, the emergency laptop program, academic and professional workshops, a lending library, snack pantry and community space.

O’Brien Hall

Named for Morrough O’Brien, who spent two decades as an engineering professor before serving as dean of the College of Engineering from 1948–59. O’Brien Hall is home to environmental engineering, environmental quality labs and the Water Resources Center Archives.

Designed by John Galen Howard and named for the Prussian-born founder of the College of Mechanics, Frederick Godfrey Hesse. Hesse houses labs for mechanical engineering and the new aerospace engineering program. This includes a state-of-the-art wind tunnel installed in 2023.

Named for Richard C. Blum, this building was constructed in 2010. It houses the Blum Center for Developing Economies. Their mission is to increase the well-being of people in developing countries by designing, adapting and disseminating scalable and sustainable technologies and systems.  The Blum Center is home to the largest minor on campus, the Global Poverty and Practice Minor . The east wing of Blum Hall was constructed in 1914 and designed by John Galen Howard, who also designed Doe Library. This building was seismically retrofitted and is the current home to the Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology dual undergraduate degree.

Sutardja Dai Hall

Opened in 2009, this 141,000-square-foot building is the headquarters of CITRIS, the multi-campus interdisciplinary research program that is one of four California Institutes for Science and Innovation. CITRIS aims to improve energy efficiency, transportation, environmental monitoring, seismic safety, education, cultural research and health care. 

The building honors a team of accomplished Berkeley engineering graduates: brothers Sehat and Pantas Sutardja and Weili Dai, the trio that founded Marvell Semiconductor, and Ting Chuk. The building houses research labs, faculty offices, a nanofabrication lab, an auditorium and the Yali’s Qualcomm Cyber Café. A technology museum on the third floor is open to the public.

In Soda Hall, “the building is the computer.” It is home to computer sciences and contains classrooms, labs and access to computer clusters for shared computing power, storage and services. Funded by the Y & H Soda Foundation and named in honor of Y. Charles and Helen Soda as a tribute to their commitment to education in the Bay Area. Soda Hall has open alcoves to encourage informal interactions among students and faculty, and the labs and offices are grouped to foster a team approach to computing innovation.

Etcheverry Hall

The first UC-built building on the northside of Hearst Ave. It was named for Bernard Etcheverry, professor of drainage and irrigation and chairman of that department for nearly three decades. It once held a functioning nuclear reactor in its basement and a research wind tunnel, both now dismantled. It houses three engineering departments including mechanical engineering (ME), nuclear engineering (NE) and industrial engineering, and operations research (IEOR), plus our newest major, aerospace engineering.

Etcheverry labs and shops include the UC Berkeley Automation Lab , which is a leading center for research in robotics and automation sciences; The Berkeley Computational Optimization Lab, where activities are concentrated predominantly on mathematical optimization with discrete decision variables; and the RADA Research Risk Lab, which is dedicated to studying risk analytics and data analysis.

Students in Etcheverry have access to the Student Electronics Shop, which provides resources and guidance to students involved in project-based mechatronics classes. Students visiting the shop have access to soldering equipment, cable assembly tools and measurement instruments.

Jacobs Hall

The home of the Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation, an interdisciplinary makerspace used by students across campus. Here you can get hands-on practice with design automation, rapid prototyping and commercial development. You’ll be challenged to approach the entire cycle of design, manufacturing and end-user needs from an integrated vantage point. Thanks to a $20-million commitment from the Paul and Stacy Jacobs Foundation, Berkeley Engineering launched theJacobs Institute for Design Innovation at the Clinton Global Initiative in June 2013.

Named for Clarence L. Cory, late dean of the College of Mechanics and a faculty member for almost 40 years. Cory had a fifth floor added in 1985, which features a computer chip-inspired design motif on the exterior. It is home to electrical engineering, and the building houses a state-of-the-art electronic micro-fabrication facility and labs devoted to integrated circuits, lasers and robotics. Cory has the dubious distinction of being the only site bombed twice by “The Unabomber” in the 1980s.

Stanley Hall

Named for Wendell M. Stanley, who won the 1946 Nobel Prize in chemistry, served Berkeley as biochemistry chair (1948-53), virology chair (1958-64) and founder and director of the virus lab (1948-69). Built in 2007, it is home to the bioengineering department. The hall is also the Berkeley headquarters for the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3). The office and lab complex supports interdisciplinary teaching and research as part of the campus’s health science Initiative.

Hearst Memorial Mining Building

Home to the materials science and engineering department. Designed by John Galen Howard and financed by Phoebe Apperson Hearst as a memorial to her husband George. The building underwent a massive restoration, completed in 2002, that included cutting-edge seismic retrofitting to protect the building in the event of a major earthquake. The brittle foundation was replaced with a shock absorbent system of 134 steel and rubber bearings that allow the building to roll horizontally 28 inches in any direction. In addition to its meticulously restored vaulted entrance gallery, elegant sculptured windows and grand marble staircase, the building houses new laboratories for advanced experiments in computation, ceramics, metals and polymers, as well as facilities to develop nanoscale and superconducting materials. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

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Around Berkeley: Archival BART footage, Gilman District Street Fair, pianist Awadagin Pratt

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Never miss local events!  Sign up for Berkeleyside’s arts and culture newsletter, The Scene . And check out our roundup of affordable things to do anytime in Berkeley .

Around Berkeley

🎹 The New Century Chamber Orchestra will be joined by SF Conservatory professor of piano Awadagin Pratt for a concert featuring Jessie Montgomery’s Grammy-winning Rounds . The program will be closed with Leonard Bernstein’s deeply lyrical Serenade , based on Plato’s Symposium, featuring the violin, strings and percussion. If you miss their performance in Berkeley, you have two more chances to hear them play this program in the Bay Area; there will be repeat performances over the weekend at the Green Music Center in Rohnert Park and the Presidio Theatre in San Francisco. Thursday, May 2, 7:30 p.m. First Congregational Church. $30-$70

🚇 Still feeling sentimental after Bay Area Rapid Transit officially retired its original space-age train cars last weekend? Revel in the nostalgia and watch 60 minutes of historic BART footage at an event hosted by UC Berkeley’s Environmental Design Archives. The footage was curated by the Prelinger Archives, founded by UC Santa Cruz professor and American archivist-filmmaker Rick Prelinger. You’ll also hear from Jay Bolcik, a BART retiree and unofficial historian of the system. Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m., 112 Bauer Wurster Hall, UC Berkeley. FREE ( RSVP )

🎷 Now that the rain is mostly gone, the California Jazz Conservatory has relaunched its hopping, faculty-led jam session on Wednesdays at Jupiter, a scene that can attract both accomplished and aspiring players. Wednesday, April 25, 7-10 p.m. Jupiter. FREE

🎶 National Sibling Day was April 10, but the East Bay’s Hogan Brothers keep the party going all year long, particularly via their final Friday residency at Jupiter , where Steve, Colin and Julian Hogan deliver a savory helping of funk, soul, Latin music and various combinations thereof. Friday, April 26, 7-10 p.m. Jupiter. FREE

🎻 The Berkeley Bluegrass Festival brings three packed triple+-bills to Freight & Salvage, featuring Appalachian Road Show , Never Come Down and Broken Compass Bluegrass playing Friday, the Kathy Kallick Band , Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands, and Lewis and Kallick together on Saturday, and Kody Norris , the Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms Bluegrass Band, and Marin County Breakdown on Sunday (with acts playing the lobby each night at 6 p.m.). Friday-Sunday, April 26-28, 7 p.m. Freight & Salvage. $55/$60

🌈 Students from UC Berkeley’s Theater, Dance and Performance Studies program will perform the play The Wednesday Club , which was written and directed by theater department professor Joe Goode. The musical follows members of the Wednesday Club, a group of LGBTQ+ drama nerds and allies who meet each week to test their theatrical innovations in a church basement. Friday, April 26, through Sunday, April 28. Check the website for specific performance times. Zellerbach Playhouse. $10-$20 (RSVP) 

💃🏿 Born and raised in Benin, steeped in the 1980s Parisian jazz scene and based in Brooklyn, West African superstar Angelique Kidjo continues a deep relationship with Cal Performances that’s encompassed the music of Talking Heads, Celia Cruz and her own ambitious songbook. Friday, April 26, 8 p.m. Zellerbach Hall. $42-$120

🧱 ACCI Gallery’s latest exhibit, Timeless Terrains , explores two mediums: paint and ceramics . The exhibit is open through May 19. An artists’ talk with Adriana Diaz and Kathy Kearns will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27. FREE  

🐦 Learn about local nature at the Bay Nature Magazine’s City Nature Challenge Bioblitz . Download the iNaturalist app before you go. Experts will be available between 1 and 2 p.m. to help you identify plant and animal observations from earlier in the day. Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free Speech Bikeway (near the Valley Life Sciences Building), UC Berkeley. FREE ( RSVP )

🪨 Berkeleyside reporter-rock-climber Ally Markovich will host a guided conversation about the history and significance of both Indian and Mortar Rocks . (Have you read her two-part series diving into the history of the rocks yet?) She’ll be joined by Corrina Gould, spokesperson and chair for the Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation, and climbers Kimbrough Moore, Grace O’Connell and Devlin Gandy. Parking is limited, so consider carpooling or taking public transit. The Line 18 AC Transit stop is roughly an 8-minute walk from the park. Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Indian Rock Park (east side). FREE ( RSVP required )

📚 Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day by attending a book talk with children’s author Joanna Ho , who recently launched her new book We Who Produce Pearls: An Anthem for Asian America. The illustrated book features art by artist-activist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya. Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m. Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore. FREE

🚣 The family-friendly Berkeley Bay Festival , hosted by the city of Berkeley, will feature live music, interactive circus arts and exhibits from more than 30 environmental and wildlife conservation organizations around the Bay Area. Don’t miss the free boat rides. Featured food vendors include Royal Egyptian, Brown Cap Organic Soft Serve (read our stories ) and many more. Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Shorebird Park. FREE

🎺 The San Francisco Chamber Orchestra’s All-Star Brass Quintet is coming to Berkeley for a 20-minute “Meet the Brass” concert , followed by hands-on musical activities. It’s a great chance to introduce young children to classical music in a friendly environment. Saturday, April 27, 11:30 a.m. Berkeley Public Library Central Branch (Children’s Room). FREE

🌍 The I-House will open its doors to the public for the International Cultural Festival , which aims to celebrate the diversity, unity and exchange of cultural traditions worldwide. Current residents will share their customs through music, art, dance and food. Saturday, April 27, 2-5 p.m. International House, 2299 Piedmont Avenue. FREE ( RSVP required ) 

🎻  The Young People’s Symphony Orchestra , California’s oldest youth orchestra, is having its penultimate concert in Berkeley for this season before heading onto its Japan tour. The program includes George Gershwin’s vibrant and jolly An American in Paris, Igor Stravinsky’s striking Ballet Suite from ‘The Firebird,” plus other chamber music. Saturday, April 27, 7:30 p.m. First Church Berkeley. $20 ( RSVP )

🎻 The fearless Del Sol String Quartet performs new works by Mat Muntz, Aine Nakamura, Dion Nataraja, Nathan Corder, and Matthew Monaco in the acoustically rarified studio formerly known as 1750 Arch Street , an address that looms large in the history of new music. Saturday, April 27, 8-9:30 p.m. Center for New Music and Associated Technologies . FREE

💵 As part of the Lawrence Hall of Science’s efforts to increase access, Monday is Five Dollar Day , when all hands-on exhibitions are available for a five-spot, including the live animals in the recently renovated Animal Discovery Zone. Sunday, April 28, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Lawrence Hall of Science. $5

🎨 More than 120 vendors and artists will be participating in the second annual Gilman District Street Fair ; highlights from the lineup include Fieldwork Brewing Co., Picante, Homeroom, and the Oakland-based Edith’s Pie, which happens to be the best key lime pie I’ve had in the Bay Area so far. Sunday, April 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Gilman and Fifth. FREE

🌎 Berkeley author and wildlife biologist Rebecca Kormos will talk about her new book Intertwined: Women, Nature, and Climate Justice , which argues that the greater inclusion of women in conservation and climate science is key to the planet’s future . (The book has already been praised by UN Messenger of Peace Jane Goodall for providing a “vivid and empowering portrait of a world where resilience and environmental stewardship converge.”) Rebecca will join a panel discussion with environmental and social change experts Annie Burke, Amira Diamond, Jennifer Norris and Kristine Zeigler. Tuesday, April 30, 7 p.m. Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore. FREE ( RSVP required )

🌱 Plant lovers, plan ahead: 10 Berkeley native gardens — located in everything from people’s homes to traffic circles, parking strips and even the Hillside Club — will open their doors and gates to the public as part of the annual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour . Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Various locations. FREE ( RSVP required )

🎤 Berkeley’s poet laureates will give a poetry reading and discuss their work. Read our stories about author, activist and poet Aya De León and high schooler Julia Segrè , Berkeley’s first-ever youth poet laureate. Berkeley Vice Youth Poet Laureate Serena Griffin will join them. (Note: this event was initially scheduled for Monday, April 22, and appeared in last week’s edition of The Scene but has been rescheduled.) Monday, May 13, 6 p.m. Central Branch, Berkeley Public Library (5th Floor). FREE

Beyond Berkeley

🕷️ The Oakland Spiders , a professional ultimate frisbee team launched in 2021 , continues gaining momentum as sports fans look for other teams to support after the A’s announced their move to Las Vegas. The Spiders’ president, Jackson Stearns, grew up attending city-funded summer and after-school programs , and he’s using ultimate frisbee to create similar opportunities for Oakland youth. The home opener takes place this weekend against the Los Angeles Aviators. The team’s home base is Fremont High School. Saturday, April 27, 4610 Foothill Boulevard, Oakland. $25 ($28 on gameday)

🇵🇸 For the fourth time since January, local cyclists are meeting for a peaceful and family-friendly five-and-a-half-mile bike ride in solidarity with the Gaza Sunbirds, a team of 20 para-cycling athletes based in the Gaza Strip . The bike ride is a call to action to bring attention to what is going on with the Palestinian people. It will also uplift the demands of Athletes for Palestine, including an immediate cease-fire, and raise funds for the Gaza Sunbirds. The ride will commence at the Ashby BART station in Berkeley and conclude at the Lake Merritt station in Oakland. Saturday, April 27. Riders will meet at 10 a.m., 3100 Adeline Street, Berkeley. FREE 

🚢  The Port of Oakland is once again offering educational 90-minute narrated tours from May to October. Attendees will get behind-the-scenes information on how the port operates and Oakland Seaport activities, and they will sail alongside large container ships and the port’s marine terminals. Tickets will be released on the first Monday of every month starting April 29. Set a calendar reminder so you don’t miss out on this experience. Monday, April 29, the first tour takes place on Friday, May 10. Jack London Terminal, 10 Clay Street, Oakland. FREE ( RSVP required)

— Azucena Rasilla

If there’s an event you’d like us to consider for this roundup, email us at  [email protected] . If there’s an event that you’d like to promote on our calendar, you can use the self-submission form on our  events page .

The Oaklandside’s Arts and Community reporter Azucena Rasilla contributed reporting to this story.

more to do in berkeley

Affordable things to do in Berkeley any day of the week

From farmers markets to trivia nights, we put together a roundup of events and activities held regularly in Berkeley.

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Iris Kwok covers the environment for Berkeleyside through a partnership with Report for America. A former music journalist, her work has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, KQED, San Francisco Examiner... More by Iris Kwok

Andrew Gilbert

Freelancer Andrew Gilbert writes a weekly music column for Berkeleyside. Andy, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, covers a wide range of musical cultures, from Brazil and Mali to India and Ireland.... More by Andrew Gilbert

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Tour Details

Tour Name: Campus Walking Tour

Tour Date: Tuesday, July 2nd 2024

Tour Start: 09:30 AM

Tour Starting Location: Koret Visitor Center

Tour End: 11:00 AM

Tour Ending Location: Sproul Plaza area

Tour Attendance: 32/30

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Please note the maximum tour group size is 9. If your party is larger than 9 please book a group tour .

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Berkeley Forests also has some self-guided tour options. Blodgett Forest Research Station  is home to the  Trail of Epiphany, a three mile tour through the various management alternatives and research done at Blodgett Forest and beyond! Visitors can read signs as they hike to learn about the research that goes on at Blodgett, the flora and fauna of the forest, Blodgett history, and more.  Visiting Blodgett is a great way to see forest stands being managed using a variety of techniques and witness firsthand how these methods can improve forest health and fire resiliency.

Note that the Blodgett gate closes at 4:00PM. The main office is open from 7:30AM-4:00PM Monday-Friday. If you have any questions, please contact Ariel Roughton, Forester and Berkeley Forests Manager, at  [email protected] .