Situated just 10 miles northeast of San Francisco, California on the coast of San Francisco Bay, Berkeley is home to the world famous University of California, and academic prowess is intertwined throughout the city. Popular with tourists, the city is quickly becoming an overflow for locals who are out-priced in San Francisco. Filled with shops, vast parklands, a university campus known for dissent and outstanding restaurants, the city is a worthwhile place to hangout.
Berkeley’s cultural diversity, apparent in many of the city’s attractions, is what many visitors come for. You can visit everything from Takara Snake USA snake tasting museum to the Hearst Greek Theater, which hosts regular music gigs and is home to the UC Berkeley graduation ceremonies. Another landmark of the city is Berkeley Marina, holding an annual kite festival with the bay’s updrafts providing perfect flying conditions for kite enthusiasts.
Chilling out is a well know city pastime, with the most popular place to hang out being Telegraph avenue near the university campus. Whether you mingle with the students while enjoying a latte in one of the numerous coffee houses or you dine with award winners at one of Berkeley’s upmarket restaurants, you will not fail to soak up the academic atmosphere, enhanced by Berkeley’s bookstores, record shops and craft stalls.
Highlights
University of California: remembered for its dissent during the Vietnam War, Berkeley is home to the oldest part of the 10-campus university.
Takara Sake USA Museum: a wide selection of sakes and plum wines are available for tasting at the museum, just remember to book taxi back after.
Berkeley Marina: is 52 acres in size and is a parking spot of many impressive yachts, moored for visitors to marvel over.
Berkeley Opera: seating up to 400 people, the large Julia Morgan Theater holds regular performances with all viewers guaranteed a good seat.