2. Table of Contents
Why Berkeley? 1
How to get there 2
Future Students 4
Best Food 5
Fun in Berkeley 7
About Li 9
3. The Ultimate Guide
to Visiting
BERKELEY
Why Berkeley?
As one of the most famous universities on the west coast of the
United States, Berkeley is a fascinating place of extremes. While
the university is most known for pioneering the anti-War move-
ment during the 60s, it was also a trailblazer in developing nuclear
weapons during WWII. The campus itself has brilliant students in
all of our top ranked programs, but studying isn’t the only thing
you’ll see them doing in the library (hint: it starts with “s”). While
you drive around campus, you’ll see empty parking spots re-
served for Nobel Laureates, but tough luck if you’re trying to find
parking yourself.
As a 4th year student who also works as the library security moni-
tor, I’ve heard my share of questions about Berkeley. This guide is
an attempt to answer them. I hope this guide is only surpassed by
your experience visiting Berkeley.
-Li Lin
1
4. How Do I Get There? The Ultimate Guide
to Visiting
BERKELEY
Oakland Airport/OAK
What is BART?
After you get off the plane, find the AirBART BART is a subway that connects East Bay (Berkeley)
bus and have the fare handy ($3 at time of with South San Francisco (Millbrae).
writing). This is a 12 min. bus that will take
you to the Coliseum BART station. Once you
get to the station, go to the East Bay side and San Francisco Airport/SFO
take the Richmond Train. The ride will take
approximately 20 mins. Get off at Downtown At the BART station, board the Pittsburg/Bay Point
Train and get off at 19th Street Oakland Station and
Berkeley. walk across the platform to the Richmond Train. Get
off at the Downtown Berkeley station.
Oakland Airport > AirBART > Coliseum BART > Richmond Train>
Downtown Berkeley Pittsburg/Bay Point Train > Get off at 19th St. Oakland, Board
the Richmond Train > Downtown Berkeley
Getting to Campus
From the Downtown Berkeley BART station, exit at Center Street. Keep walking down Center Street until Oxford
Street. Do you see a forest? Walk into it. Do you see a huge clock tower or the Campanile? Walk towards the clock-
tower and you will be at the middle of campus. If you are lost, call visitor’s services at (510) 642-5215
2
5. The Ultimate Guide
to Visiting
BERKELEY
Where Should I Stay?
Piedmont Hotel/Hostel
2434 Piedmont Ave
(510) 849-4800
Maps & Resources
berkeleyhostel.com
Map of Campus
http://berkeley.edu/map/maps/large_map.html
Hotel Shattuck Plaza
2086 Allston Way
AirBART
http://www.flyoakland.com/bart_airbart.shtml
(510) 845-7300
www.hotelshattuckplaza.com
BART
http://www.bart.gov
Quality Inn
1761 University Ave Air Express Cab
(510) 841-4242 http://www.yelp.com/biz/air-express-cab-berkeley-4
Rose Garden Inn Getting Here by Car
http://visitors.berkeley.edu/gethere/traveling.shtml
2740 Telegraph Ave
(510) 549-2145
www.rosegardeninn.com 3
6. Future Students
The Ultimate Guide
to Visiting
BERKELEY
High School Students
Incoming Freshmen
There are 2 hour tours of campus daily, Mon-Sat from 10 am to 1pm
daily. On Weekdays they begin at 101 Sproul Hall, and weekday and Dorms/Move In Day:
holiday tours begin at the Campanile. You can find more information http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/housing/
here: http://visitors.berkeley.edu/tour/general.shtml
Welcome Week:
Cal Day http://welcome.berkeley.edu/
A day in April where all the clubs come out and welcome visitors to
give out free stuff. The best day to visit Berkeley out of the year. Clubs
http://calday.berkeley.edu/ There will always be tabling on Sproul dur-
ing the weekdays of the school year and
you can always go up to one of the people
More About Berkeley manning the tables and ask about the club.
Fraternities and Sororities
College Confidential
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/ http://www.calgreeks.com/
For chances to get into Berkeley, scheduling help, and questions on your major.
Advice from a Senior:
Berkeley on Reddit -Talk to as many people as you can. Your
http://www.reddit.com/r/berkeley comfort zone is smaller than you think.
Recent Berkeley news and shenanigans
-Take 13 units your first semester. Classes
Berkeley Events in Berkeley are no joke.
http://events.berkeley.edu/
Events in Berkeley and a weekly newsletter you can sign up for -Do not commit to a major until you are
4 sure you love it.
7. Best Food in Berkeley
The Ultimate Guide
to Visiting
BERKELEY
Closest to Campus
Smart Alec’s
2355 Telegraph Ave Berkeley Thai House (with Patio seating)
2511 Channing Way
(510) 704-4000 510) 843-7352
Mon-Sun 11 am - 9 pm www.berkeleythaihouse.com
Brazil Cafe (Best Music)
Chipotle 1983 Shattuck Ave
2311 Telegraph Ave (510) 845-1056
(510) 548-0340 Mon-Sat 11:30 am - 7:30 pm
Mon-Sun 11 am - 10 pm
Cafe Durant (Mexican)
2517 Durant Ave Ste C (upstairs)
Blondie’s Pizza www.cafedurant.com
Mon-Sun 7:30 am - 9 pm
2340 Telegraph Ave
(510) 548-1129 Cheeseboard (Best Pizza)
www.blondiespizza.com/berkeley. 1512 Shattuck Ave
html cheeseboardcollective.coop
Tue-Sat 11:30 am - 3 pm Tue-Sat 4:30 pm - 8 pm
Free Speech Movement Cafe
Moffitt Undergraduate Library 5
8. Best Food in Berkeley Continued The Ultimate Guide
to Visiting
BERKELEY
Lotus House (Chinese)
2517A Durant Ave
(510) 883-1811
Best Cafes
Maoz (Vegetarian) People’s Cafe
2395 Telegraph Ave 2015 Shattuck Ave
www.maozusa.com www.peoplesjoint.com
Mon-Wed, Sun 11 am - 10 pm Thu-Sat 11 am - 11 pm Mon-Sun 7 am - 12 am
Sunrise Deli (Middle Eastern) Caffe Strada
2456 Bancroft Way 2300 College Ave
www.sunrisedeli.net (510) 843-5282
Mon-Fri 11 am - 9 pm Mon-Sun 6 am - 12 am
Sonoma Cafe
T-Toust (Korean)
2131 Durant Ave
2433 Durant Ave Ste F
(510) 665-1440
(510) 666-8874
Mon-Fri 11 am - 9 pm
Urban Turbann (Naan wraps)
1870 Euclid Ave
www.urbannturbann.com
Mon-Fri 11 am - 9 pm
6
9. Fun in Berkeley The Ultimate Guide
to Visiting
BERKELEY
Sight Seeing
Telegraph Avenue
You haven’t been to Berkeley until you’ve been to Telegraph Avenue.
It is a place that still retains some of the original Berkeley hippie flavor,
and an eccelectic place full of characters that you won’t find anywhere
else.
The Campanile
Yes, you can go up the clock tower! This is the most recognizable
symbol of Berkeley. You can get a great view of the bay from the top
for $2 and if you are a student you get in free with ID.
The Botanical Gardens
http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu/
This is arguably the most beautiful place in Berkeley. Flowers aren’t
grouped here by species--they’re grouped by continents. Plan to set
away at least half a day’s time if you’re planning to visit. Worth the $9
many times over and free if you’re a student.
7
10. More Fun in Berkeley The Ultimate Guide
to Visiting
BERKELEY
Shopping
Sports T Shirt Orgy
2350 Telegraph Ave
http://www.calbears.com/ Mon-Sun 11 am - 6:30 pm
Our Big Game is the final football game of the season ver-
sus Stanford. Big games are held at Berkeley’s Memorial Bancroft Clothing
2530 Bancroft Way
Stadium during even numbered years. Do not wear red. Mon-Sat 10 am - 6 pm
Sun 11:30 am - 5:30 pm
Cross Roads Trading Co.
Nightlife 2338 Shattuck Ave
Mon-Sat 11 am - 8 pm
Jupiter Sun 11 am - 7 pm
2181 Shattuck Ave
http://www.jupiterbeer.com Urban Outfitters
2590 Bancroft Way
Shattuck Down Low Mon-Wed 10 am - 8 pm
2284 Shattuck Ave Thu-Sat 10 am - 9 pm
www.shattuckdownlow.com Sun 11 am - 7 pm
4th Street
8 1807 Fourth Street
11. About
Li Lin
Currently a 4th year at Berkeley
Questions or Comments ?
Email me at LLIN@berkeley.edu
9
