Part of our California guide.
Berkeley’s best sights and experiences come down to five themed lists: eight unique museums, 30 must-visit places, eight iconic landmarks, five photography spots, and seven luxurious resorts. Each section below gives you the specifics without the fluff, so you can plan a focused trip.
Related travel guides: Garden Grove Travel Guide, Antioch Travel Guide, Alameda Travel Guide, 8 Must-Visit Historic Sites In Lake Elsinore, California, and 9 Must-Visit Historic Sites In Turlock, California.
8 Unique Museums To Explore In Berkeley, California
Berkeley’s museums range from art galleries to science centers. The University of California, Berkeley, anchors much of this cultural scene, and its affiliated museums often rotate exhibits tied to campus research. For a full list of eight, check the original guide, but expect collections that emphasize local history, contemporary art, and natural sciences. Pick two or three that match your interests—most are walkable from the downtown BART station or a short bus ride away.
30 Must Visit Places In Berkeley
From the Berkeley Marina to the Gourmet Ghetto, each corner of this city tells a story. Wander through Tilden Regional Park or explore the shops on Telegraph Avenue. The marina offers bay views and a winding path for joggers, while the Gourmet Ghetto—centered around Shattuck Avenue—is where you’ll find pioneering restaurants and cheese shops. Tilden Park, just northeast of the city, has miles of trails and a steam train for kids. Telegraph Avenue’s bookstores and street vendors give a taste of the city’s counterculture roots. For the full 30, the original list includes UC Berkeley’s Sather Tower, the Berkeley Rose Garden, and the Berkeley Art Museum, but these four anchors will keep you busy for a full day.
8 Iconic Landmarks To See In Berkeley, California
From the University of California, Berkeley campus to Telegraph Avenue, this city is a trove of landmarks. Sather Tower (the Campanile) offers a 360-degree view of the bay and is free to ascend on weekdays. Other landmarks on the list include the Berkeley City Club, a Julia Morgan-designed building, and the historic Claremont Hotel, which sits on the border with Oakland. Each site has a plaque or guided tour option, so you can learn the history without guessing.
5 Best Spots For Photography In Berkeley, California
Berkeley’s mix of natural and architectural subjects is hard to beat. The Berkeley Marina’s pier at sunrise gives you the Golden Gate in the distance, while the Berkeley Rose Garden’s terraced hillside provides foreground flowers and a view of the bay. The UC Berkeley campus’s Sather Tower and the nearby Greek Theatre are also favorites. For a less crowded option, head to the Berkeley Fire Trails—the name alone hints at the secret trails in California that locals use for weekend hikes. Each of the five spots on the original list is within a 15-minute drive of downtown, so you can hit several in one golden hour.
7 Luxurious Resorts To Stay In Berkeley, California
The Claremont Hotel, perched on a hill, has a spa and pool with bay views, while the Berkeley Marina’s DoubleTree offers waterfront rooms and a free shuttle to downtown. For a boutique option, the Graduate Berkeley on the edge of campus has a rooftop bar with a direct view of the Campanile. Each resort on the list is within a short drive of the Gourmet Ghetto, so you can pair luxury with a food crawl.
