Location: Berkeley
Top Things to do in Berkeley
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What to do and see in Berkeley, California (CA): The Best Sights & Landmarks
The counter-culture, flower power center of the 60s, bohemian Berkeley has evolved into a culinary and cultural travel scene. Shift into low gear and people-watch along quirky Telegraph Avenue while checking out the bookstores and cafes. After strolling through the UC Berkeley campus, the Berkeley Rose Garden and the Downtown Arts District, head into the hills for an outdoor adventure in Tilden Park or cruise down to the waterfront park, where the San Francisco skyline sparkles across the bay.
Restaurants in Berkeley
1. Haas Pavilion
2. Sphere Within Sphere Sculpture
3. University of California, Berkeley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 924 reviews
California's most prestigious public university is the home of liberalism and revolution.
Reviewed By Kittygal - Los Angeles, United States
I've loved this campus since I first visited for football and basketball games against my alma mater, UCLA. And during my law school days across the bay, I'd escape to study at the Boalt library on occasion. I returned for a visit during my first post Covid trip to the Bay Area. It was great to see the timeless beauty of the campus and marvel at all the new construction. Glad the old stand bys are still there, too (Rasputin's, Bear's Lair, Golden Bear, Smokehouse). During my grad school days, we often said that you could see the bell tower from SF on an exceptionally fine, clear day. And I'm here to say that during my recent visit, I could see clear to the Golden Gate Bridge from my vantage point at the base of the bell tower. Happily, some things only get better with time.
4. The Rotary Peace Grove Lookout
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
5. Lawrence Hall of Science
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
The Lawrence Hall of Science is UC Berkeley's Public Science Center. Join us and discover your inner scientist through fun and hands-on explorations in engineering, physics, astronomy, and more! Visit the Hall's Science on a Sphere® and take control of a planet on a 6-ft diameter globe, meet an animal friend in the Animal Discovery Room, and design, build, and test your own creations in Design Quest. Looking for even more ways to explore science? Add a Planetarium or National Geographic 3D Theater show to your visit (Planetarium and 3D Theater admission is extra).
Reviewed By Oaklandmom222
Maybe you have to be inclined towards math and science, but my 6 & 9yo truly love it here, and would live here if we let them. It’s all very hands-on, no kid-unfriendly read-only exhibits. Science and math concepts presented as games, experiments, and crafts/building. Thousands and thousands of those little keva plank blocks to build structures higher than you. Outdoor play area (water play, life-sized whale, super-sized DNA climbing structure). Build and shoot off paper rockets. Hefty supply of Legos. Stop-motion animation. 3-D documentaries. Family-friendly cafeteria (and outside grounds) with arguably the best views in the Bay Area. Temporary exhibit changes every few months, but always enjoyed. Ample parking lot next door is $1/hr.
6. Fourth Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 362 reviews
GAP free shopping street, with plenty of unique shops and artists studios selling their wares.
Reviewed By gaylem113 - Chicago, United States
Great for a stroll near the harbor in this quasi-industrial area. No shortage of coffee, restaurants, shops and arts, including a cooperative with working artist onsite.
7. Berkeley Marina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 280 reviews
One of the recommended windsurfing launch spots.
Reviewed By 745CatherineK - Berkeley, United States
Great views of the bay. Off leash dog area but a nice easy walk around Cesar Chavez is a treat. Path is paved for a good portion and flat so strollers and wheelchairs can enjoy the park. You can have lunch at the several restaurants available and kids can enjoy building stuff at the adventure playground or learn to windsurf or fly their kite. There is even a yearly kite festival.
8. Centennial Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Pfitzgerald1946 - Berkeley, United States
Centennial Drive begins at the CAL football stadium and continues to Grizzly Peak Boulevard near the top of the Berkeley Hills. If you have a good road bike and you are in very good shape, try the challenge of pedalling up without getting off your bike. The reward will be an entrance to the rolling hills of beautiful Tilden Park. Assuming you are driving from the stadium going up the hill, on your right are the women's softball fields and the famous rugby field. CAL's men's team has been the best team in the country almost every year for a long time. Further up is Strawberry Canyon Aquatics Center. For five dollars you can swim and lay out. It is a great spot to take kids or to meet people. Another quarter mile or so up the road is a small parking lot to the right which is the beginning of Berkeley's most popular running path. It is a fire road that goes up rather steeply for almost two miles and then more gradually for another 2+ miles. Most people run or hike as far as a bench with a great view of San Francisco, the bay and Golden Gate Bridge. Continuing up the road another quarter mile gets you to the renowned University of California Botanical Gardens. A visitor to the area should try to find time to check it out for its diverse collection of plants from all over the world. Continuing past the parking lots to the botanical gardens you will arrive at the high security Berkeley Lab with cyclotron and nuclear research. From here you will go up the incredibly steep stretch of Centennial Drive to the Lawrence Hall of Science, a great museum with enough educational stuff for kids to keep them busy for days. Just past the entrance to the museum is a parking lot with one of the best views in the entire Bay Area . Continuing up the hill to Grizzly Peak, you can now enter Tilden Park with its lake for swimming, golf course, hikes, merry-g0 round and other adventures
9. Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By ipeguy - Berkeley, United States
This group provides tours of different neighborhoods in Berkeley, focusing on local architecture and historic buildings. We liked their tour of the area near the Claremont Hotel and their booklets on Thousand Oaks and other neighborhoods.
10. Sather Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 140 reviews
Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States
It is the third-tallest bell-and-clock-tower in the world. It has clocks on its four faces on the campus of the University of California in Berkeley. It is more commonly known as The Campanile for it’s resemblance to the Campanile di San Marco in Venice. It is a recognizable symbol of the university. It’s current 61-bell carillon, built around a nucleus of 12 bells can be heard for many miles. It was given by Jane Sather in memory of her husband, banker Peder Sather. Certainly worth a photo stop, while visiting UC Berkeley.
