Looking for a lively city packed with academic spirit, cutting-edge culture, and stunning bay views? Head to Berkeley! Home to the world-renowned University of California, Berkeley, this eclectic city offers historic architecture, leafy parks, dynamic arts, and one of the most famous food scenes in America. Whether you’re into campus strolls, indie theaters, gourmet eats, or hiking trails, Berkeley buzzes with creativity and character.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Berkeley is from April through October. Late spring and early fall bring mild temperatures, clear skies, and vibrant campus life. Summers are pleasant and slightly cooler than inland Bay Area cities, thanks to refreshing coastal breezes.
How to Get There
- By Air: The closest airports are Oakland International Airport (OAK, about 30 min) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO, about 45–50 min).
- By Train: Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor and Coast Starlight lines stop at Berkeley Station and nearby Emeryville Station with bus transfers.
- By BART: Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) connects Berkeley to San Francisco, Oakland, and surrounding cities via the Downtown Berkeley, North Berkeley, and Ashby stations.
- By Car: Berkeley is easily accessed via I-80 and I-580, with beautiful drives along the Bay Bridge or San Pablo Avenue.
Where to Stay
- Graduate by Hilton Berkeley – Boutique hotel near UC Berkeley with collegiate charm, retro décor, and a cozy vibe.
- Claremont Club & Spa – Luxurious historic resort on the Berkeley-Oakland border offering sweeping bay views, a spa, and tennis courts.
- Berkeley City Club – Iconic Julia Morgan-designed hotel blending Gothic architecture with modern amenities and a beautiful indoor pool.
Berkeley, California Tours
Best Things to Do
1. Grizzly Peak
Rating: ★★★★★
I wanted to get a scenic view on my first morning to Berkeley so I headed to Grizzly Peak, located in Tilden Regional Park in the Berkeley Hills between Alameda and Contra Costa counties. 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.
2. UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley
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
3. Berkeley Marina
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.
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
4. Lawrence Hall of Science
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
5. Berkeley Rose Garden
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
Where to Eat:
6. Iyasare
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
7. Gather
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
8. Sather Tower
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.
9. Viks Chaat and Market
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
10. Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Located on Addison Street, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre is a well-known performing arts venue and acting school. Established as a storefront stage in 1968, the theatre has grown to be one of the most innovative performance venues in the U.S. The theatre contains two stages and premieres many plays that are later performed on Broadway and in London.
In addition to performances at its Berkeley location, the theatre sends some of its productions on tour around the U.S. and to other countries. There are 30-minute pre-show docent talks on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as post-show talks after matinee performances.
2025 Addison Street, Berkeley, California, Phone: 510-647-2949
Plan Your Trip