Berkeley, California

Grizzly Peak is located in Tilden Regional Park in the Berkeley Hills between Alameda and Contra Costa counties and is one of the top Berkeley attractions. Found just behind the Berkeley campus of the University of California, Grizzly Peak was named after a California grizzly bear that lived in the area until the late 19th century. Grizzly Peak Boulevard was constructed in 1932 along the Berkeley Hills, a location that made it easier for people to visit the peak.

At one time, there was an inn and stage stop called the Summit House located in this area. At Grizzly Peak there are several things to do: there is a basketball court, a picnic area with a BBQ, and a play area with a steel slide and sand area.

Located on Centennial Drive, the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley is known for its large collection of plants and is one of the best things to do in Berkeley, California. It is a 34-acre botanical garden that has many endangered and rare plant species and is located on the campus of the University of California in Strawberry Canyon.

Established in 1890, the garden contains over 20,000 plants that represent more than 300 different plant families, including cacti, ferns, heath, lilies, and orchids. The garden is organized by geographic regions: African, Asian, Australasian, and many more. There are several greenhouses that are home to cacti, carnivorous plants, ferns, and other kinds of plants.

200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, California, Phone: 510-643-2755

The Berkeley Marina includes 52 acres of water and more than 1,000 berths on University Avenue in the westernmost area of the city. In addition to the marina, there is a hotel, a yacht club, several restaurants, a fishing pier, and several bicycle and walking paths. There are several attractions that visitors to the marina can enjoy.

For example, children will love the Adventure Playground. Opened in 1979, the playground features a zip line and many things for children to climb on like boats, forts, and towers, among other features. The Shorebird Park Nature Center has a salt-water tank and a fresh water tank: here, visitors can see marine animals as well as birds.

The Lawrence Hall of Science, established in 1968, was built to honor Ernest Orlando Lawrence, the first Nobel Prize winner from the University of California. The center is situated in the hills above the campus and close to the Botanical Garden. It features hands-on science exhibits for students of all ages and offers educational programs as well. If you are wondering what to do in Berkeley, California with kids, this is a great place to visit with the whole family.

Some of the permanent exhibits include Forces that Shape the Bay, KidsLab, Science on a Sphere, among others. The center also hosts many rotating exhibits and features an interactive planetarium built in 1973, and it is considered to be one of the best in the world.

1 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, California, Phone: 510-642-5132

The Berkeley Rose Garden is owned by the city of Berkeley and is located on Euclid Avenue in the residential area of North Berkeley. Begun in 1933 as a WPA project, the garden was created in the shape of a terraced amphitheater in a small canyon with stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

The garden contains more than 3,000 rose bushes that represent 250 varieties of roses, and it is considered to be one of the best rose gardens in northern California. A Rose Day Celebration on Mother’s Day is one of several events the garden hosts.

1200 Euclid Avenue, Berkeley, California, Phone: 510-981-6660

There is something soothing about Iyasare (In fact, Iyasare means “to heal.”). This Japanese-Californian restaurant is located on busy Fourth Street in Berkeley. It features an intimate atmosphere with soft lighting, beautiful woodwork, and an open kitchen where you can watch art in the making. And art is just what they produce – the colors, textures, forms, and mix of ingredients are astounding creations that you’ll appreciate even before you take a bite. The ingredients and intricate flavor combinations work together to create something completely new. If you are looking for romantic date ideas in Berkeley, this is a great place to try.

Chef Shotaro Kamio brings together his childhood memories and experiences from rural northeastern Japan and his many years working in Californian Japanese restaurants. The result is the kind of Japanese comfort food you savor and remember for a long time. Ask for a light Japanese or locally brewed beer to go with the rich flavors of the food.

1830 Fourth Street, Berkeley, California, Phone: 510-845-8100

Entering the dining room at Gather feels like arriving at a party in full swing. The restaurant is busy, cheerful, and vibrant and features a smart combination of modern and down-to-earth décor. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of the David Brower Center, a LEED Platinum awarded building across from UC Berkeley. That should give you an idea of how serious they are about sustainability and the environment.

Chef Tu David Phu works with local farmers to get his supply of rare heirloom fruits, grains, and vegetables. Locally foraged pollen, mushrooms, and edible flowers also play their parts in the innovative dishes. About half of them are vegetarian, and the other half uses animals that have been raised on local farms. The menu changes daily and depends on what is available from the partnering farms.

The blend of modern and old-fashioned cooking techniques results in interesting flavors and classic favorites with a modern and healthy twist.

2200 Oxford St, Berkeley, California, Phone: 510-809-0400

Located on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley, the Sather Tower is a bell and clock tower that is known to many people as the Campanile because of its similarity to the Campanile de San Marco in Venice, Italy.

Standing at 307 feet tall (93.6 meters), the tower was built in 1914 and is the world’s third tallest bell and clock tower; it is the university’s most recognizable structure and has seven floors and an observation deck on the eighth floor.

The original carillon consisted of 12 bells, but was increased to 48 bells in 1979 and finally to 61 bells in 1983. The tower also houses many fossils from the La Brea Tar Pits Park in Los Angeles.

Every part of India has its specialties, and Berkeley is fortunate to have a place like Viks Chaat and Market where you can try the best street snacks, little pieces of heaven from all parts of this vast country that will have you licking your fingers when you’re finished. In fact, that is just what chaat means – you have to lick your fingers when you finish each morsel. Vik’s makes their dishes fresh from scratch every day, from chopping veggies to kneading dough. The restaurant is set in a simplistic warehouse attached to their store, meaning there is nothing to distract you from the delicious pakoras, samosas, puris, and so much more. The cuisine is spicy, bursting with flavors, and full of exotic ingredients from all over India.

2390 Fourth St, Berkeley, California, Phone: 510-644-4432