Guidebook for Berkeley
Food Scene
Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck AveFamous Berkeley restaurant; fabulous food
Tai San Restaurant
2811 Telegraph AveDecent, cheap, nearby Chinese food
Royal Rangoon
2826 Telegraph AvenueWell-reviewed Burmese food very nearby
Mokka
3075 Telegraph AveNice walk to a nice coffee shop
Famous local hot dog and sausage stand; look for the anarchist literature
20 Einheimische empfehlen
Top Dog
2534 Durant AveFamous local hot dog and sausage stand; look for the anarchist literature
Gather
2200 Oxford StOne of the "It" restaurants in Berkeley
Comal
2020 Shattuck AveGreat but pricey Mexican; fun patio bar
Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers
1600 Shattuck AveKid-friendly hamburger restaurant
Zachary's Chicago Pizza
5801 College AveLegendary stuffed pizza restaurant
Peet's Coffee
2124 Vine StLegendary coffee shops started in Berkeley
Arizmendi Bakery & Pizzeria
4301 San Pablo AveLocal cooperative; great pizza and baked goods
Cancun Sabor Mexicano
2134 Allston WayExcellent tacqueria
Cactus Taqueria
5642 College AveExcellent tacqueria
Picante
1328 Sixth StExcellent tacqueria
Elmwood
Local shopping district; restaurants and shops
Historic diner and ice cream shop, featured in the movie Up!
129 Einheimische empfehlen
Fentons Creamery
4226 Piedmont AveHistoric diner and ice cream shop, featured in the movie Up!
Local cooperative; great pizza, baked goods, and cheeses
83 Einheimische empfehlen
Cheese Board Bakery
1504 Shattuck AveLocal cooperative; great pizza, baked goods, and cheeses
Smokehouse
3115 Telegraph AveWalkable burger shack; local institution
Kirala
2100 Ward StExcellent Japanese food just 2 blocks away
Getting Around
Downtown Berkeley
Subway stop in main shopping district
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
3001 Shattuck AveSightseeing
University of California, Berkeley
Oxford StreetBeautiful Berkeley campus; lots to do
Great botanical garden; many rare plants
77 Einheimische empfehlen
The University of California Botanical Garden
200 Centennial DrGreat botanical garden; many rare plants
Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood RoadGreat hiking trails, swimming pool
Local horse-racing track; kid-friendly, particularly on Dollar Days
34 Einheimische empfehlen
Golden Gate Fields
1100 Eastshore HwyLocal horse-racing track; kid-friendly, particularly on Dollar Days
Oracle Park
24 Willie Mays PlazaGreat place to see a game (go Giants!)
Campanile Esplanade
South Hall RoadHistoric UC Berkeley bell tower
Sather Gate
Sather RoadHistoric Sather Gate on Berkeley campus
Easy hikes to interesting volcanic formations
80 Einheimische empfehlen
Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
Easy hikes to interesting volcanic formations
Alcatraz Island
Definitely worth a trip
Angel Island Café
Main StreetFabulous island nature preserve
Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate BridgeAs cool as it looks in the movies
Golden Gate Park
Lots to see and do in GG Park
Chinatown
Great food and historic culture
North Beach
Great restaurants and people-watching
Lombard St Gardening
The famous crooked street (now closed to cars)
Presidio of San Francisco
Huge, amazing natural site; former military base
Ferry Building Marketplace
Great food and shops, right on the water
Coit Tower
Excellent WPA murals in this local landmark
Telegraph Avenue
Telegraph AvenueIconic Telegraph Avenue (north of Dwight Way).
Arts & Culture
Landmark's California Theatre
2113 Kittredge StSmall (3 screen) arthouse movie theater
Best of the multi-screen Berkeley movie theaters
65 Einheimische empfehlen
Landmark's Shattuck Cinemas
2230 Shattuck AveBest of the multi-screen Berkeley movie theaters
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
2025 Addison StGreat local theater company; world-class
Shotgun Players
1901 Ashby AveHigh-quality local theater; small theater
Rialto Cinemas Elmwood
2966 College AveLocal (3 screen) arthouse cinema
Used to be best/newest local megaplex; now second to AMC Bay Street 16
United Artists Emery Bay Stadium 10 Movie Theater
Used to be best/newest local megaplex; now second to AMC Bay Street 16
Regal UA Berkeley
2274 Shattuck AveOlder local multiplex; some theaters are quite small
AMC Bay Street 16
5614 Bay StBest big theater for a blockbuster.
Parks & Nature
Berkeley Marina
Beautiful views, trails, activities
Great place for kids to swing a hammer, paint, make a mess
23 Einheimische empfehlen
Adventure Playground
160 University AveGreat place for kids to swing a hammer, paint, make a mess
Malcolm X Elementary School
1731 Prince StGreat playground; open to public during non-school hours
Aquatic Park
700-898 Beach StBeautiful water-side park
Great hiking, Little Farm, golf, Steam Train, botanical garden
23 Einheimische empfehlen
Tilden Nature Area
600 Canon DriveGreat hiking, Little Farm, golf, Steam Train, botanical garden
Sylvia Mendez Elementary School
2840 Ellsworth StreetPlayground 2 blocks away; open to public during non-school hours
Entertainment & Activities
Berkeley Public Library
2090 Kittredge StMain branch of excellent library system
Beautiful new building; great local library
11 Einheimische empfehlen
Berkeley Public Library - South Branch
1901 Russell StBeautiful new building; great local library
Grove Park
1730 Oregon StAnother great local park
Claremont Club & Spa - A Fairmont Hotel
41 Tunnel RdLocal pool and spa; tennis courts
Strawberry Canyon Pool
Centennial DriveLocal swimming pool
Lawrence Hall of Science
Kid-friendly science museum
Exploratorium
Green StreetAmazing, huge, hands-on science museum
Willard Park
2730 Hillegass AveGreat park just a block away
Berkeley Skate Park
711 Harrison StLocal skate park
Everything Else
Berkeley Tool Lending Library
1901 Russell StBorrow a tool, large or small, with a library card
Ashby station
3100 Adeline StSubway to SF, Downtown Berkeley, elsewhere
Alta Bates Campus Emergency Department
2450 Ashby AveNearest hospital/ER