Right next door to Oakland on San Francisco's East Bay, Berkeley is best known for the legendary student protests at the university in the 1960s. While a laid-back lifestyle still prevails, the town of Berkeley is now a "foodie" mecca with a fantastic restaurant scene. Additionally, it has plenty of cultural offerings and year-round great weather. Here are some highlights:Famed chef Alice Waters, of the renowned restaurant Chez Panisse, is often credited
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| (photo: Simone Anne) |
Berkeley's "Gourmet Ghetto" Tour
(Tel: 415/806-5970; www.edibleexcursions.net)
Begin your visit with a culinary walking tour. It's a great way to orient yourself and scope out a variety of good eats. The tour stops at several yummy spots in North Berkeley’s "Gourmet Ghetto." Be sure to check out: Saul's deli, The Cheeseboard Collective (pizzas & all things cheesy), Grégoire (French savories, known for their potato puffs) & Peet's (great coffee).
Gather (2200 Oxford St., Tel: 510/809-0400; www.gatherrestaurant.com) - One of Berkeley’s top farm-to-fork restaurants. La Note (2377 Shattuck Ave., Tel: 510/843-1535; www.lanoterestaurant.com) - A lovely French-style bistro with a charming outdoor patio; perfect for brunch.
Wat Mongkolratanaram - Thai Temple
Begin your visit with a culinary walking tour. It's a great way to orient yourself and scope out a variety of good eats. The tour stops at several yummy spots in North Berkeley’s "Gourmet Ghetto." Be sure to check out: Saul's deli, The Cheeseboard Collective (pizzas & all things cheesy), Grégoire (French savories, known for their potato puffs) & Peet's (great coffee).
Wat Mongkolratanaram - Thai Temple
(1911 Russell St., Tel: 510/849-3419; Sundays, 10am-1pm) - For Sunday brunch, locals in the know head to Berkeley's Thai Temple for a delicious dish of mango sticky rice, coconut puffs, green curry, pad thai, & beef noodle soup. Dine at picnic tables in a tented backyard. It ain't fancy, but it's fun and all the proceeds benefit the temple. On arrival, exchange your cash for tokens ($1=1 token). Get there early!
GREAT ENTERTAINMENT
After a scrumptious meal, soak up some culture:
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
2025 Addison St.; Tel: 510/647-2949; www.berkeleyrep.org
Since 1968, Berkeley Rep has presented cutting-edge plays. Many of the shows have gone on national tour, had on and off-Broadway runs, graced the London stage, and been turned into films. See those groundbreaking shows here first!
Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse
2020 Addison St.; Tel: 510/644-2020; thefreight.org
A great venue for music lovers. Over the past 40 years, Freight & Salvage has become world-famous for presenting folk and traditional American music such as bluegrass, blues, and jazz, along with Celtic and other world music. On any given night, you might hear a music legend and/or some rising star.
Cal Performances
Tel: 510/642-9988; calperformances.org
The University of California-Berkeley has a number of performing arts venues which present incredible music, dance, theater, and special events throughout the year. One of the best known venues is the Greek Theatre, a huge, outdoor amphitheater where everyone from famed actress Sarah Bernhardt to the Grateful Dead have performed.
UC Berkeley Botanical Garden - Redwood Grove Concerts
200 Centennial Dr.; Tel: 510/643-2755; botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu
Strolling through this beautiful, tranquil spot, with one of the most diverse plant collections in the country, is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. On summer evenings, enjoy a diverse line-up of folk, pop, rock, blues, jazz, and world music concerts in an amphitheater surrounded by redwoods--bring a picnic!
After a scrumptious meal, soak up some culture:
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The Blank Tapes Botanical Garden
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2025 Addison St.; Tel: 510/647-2949; www.berkeleyrep.org
Since 1968, Berkeley Rep has presented cutting-edge plays. Many of the shows have gone on national tour, had on and off-Broadway runs, graced the London stage, and been turned into films. See those groundbreaking shows here first!
Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse
2020 Addison St.; Tel: 510/644-2020; thefreight.org
A great venue for music lovers. Over the past 40 years, Freight & Salvage has become world-famous for presenting folk and traditional American music such as bluegrass, blues, and jazz, along with Celtic and other world music. On any given night, you might hear a music legend and/or some rising star.
Cal Performances
Tel: 510/642-9988; calperformances.org
The University of California-Berkeley has a number of performing arts venues which present incredible music, dance, theater, and special events throughout the year. One of the best known venues is the Greek Theatre, a huge, outdoor amphitheater where everyone from famed actress Sarah Bernhardt to the Grateful Dead have performed.
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Greek
Theatre
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200 Centennial Dr.; Tel: 510/643-2755; botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu
Strolling through this beautiful, tranquil spot, with one of the most diverse plant collections in the country, is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. On summer evenings, enjoy a diverse line-up of folk, pop, rock, blues, jazz, and world music concerts in an amphitheater surrounded by redwoods--bring a picnic!
ARTS & CRAFTS & MORE
Throughout the year, there are any number of artsy activities to keep you busy:
East Bay Open Studios
During two weekends in June, you'll see an amazing array of creative artwork in all mediums at over 400 local artists' studios. Check out:
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| Berkely Potters Guild (Itsuko Zenitani) |
Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive
2155 Center St.; Tel: 510/642-0808; www.bampfa.berkeley.edu
BAMPFA exhibits historical and contemporary international art and is a major center for film: current, cutting-edge, and retrospectives.
Get Some Schooling:
BAMPFA exhibits historical and contemporary international art and is a major center for film: current, cutting-edge, and retrospectives.
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Berkeley Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival
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University of California-Berkeley Opened in 1873, UC Berkeley was the first University of California campus. While the 60s' student protests drew attention, Berkeley has always been a prestigious place to study, known as a hotbed for intellectual thought; it still draws the best and the brightest from around the world. Your college days may be over, but you can still take a fascinating course in the continuing education program: UC Berkeley Extension.
Walking Tours: This is one of the best ways to explore the town.
Berkeley Historical Society - Offers 2-hour walking tours in the spring and fall.
Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association - Has an impressive calendar of events, including House Tours, and a guide book of Berkeley Walking Tours, if you'd rather head out on your own.
Where To Stay:There are lots of places including some nice boutique hotels: Hotel Shattuck Plaza, Graduate Berkeley, Berkeley City Club.
Getting There: Fly into Oakland or San Francisco, then take the BART (Richmond line) to downtown or north Berkeley.
Walking Tours: This is one of the best ways to explore the town.
Berkeley Historical Society - Offers 2-hour walking tours in the spring and fall.
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| (photo: Visit Berkeley) |
Where To Stay:There are lots of places including some nice boutique hotels: Hotel Shattuck Plaza, Graduate Berkeley, Berkeley City Club.
Getting There: Fly into Oakland or San Francisco, then take the BART (Richmond line) to downtown or north Berkeley.
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