The Ultimate Guide to Visiting

BERKELEY

Table of Contents

Why Berkeley?

How to get there

Future Students

Best Food

Fun in Berkeley

About Li

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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 Lin1

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting

BERKELEYHow Do I Get There?

Oakland Airport/OAK

After you get off the plane, find the AirBART bus and have the fare handy ($3 at time of 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 take the Richmond Train. The ride will take approximately 20 mins. Get off at Downtown Berkeley.

Oakland Airport > AirBART > Coliseum BART > Richmond Train>

Downtown Berkeley

San Francisco Airport/SFOAt the BART station, board the Pittsburg/Bay Point Train and get off at 19th Street Oakland Station and walk across the platform to the Richmond Train. Get off at the Downtown Berkeley station.

Pittsburg/Bay Point Train > Get off at 19th St. Oakland, Board the Richmond Train > Downtown Berkeley

Getting to CampusFrom 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

What is BART?BART is a subway that connects East Bay (Berkeley) with South San Francisco (Millbrae).

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting

BERKELEY

Maps & Resources

Map of Campushttp://berkeley.edu/map/maps/large_map.html

AirBARThttp://www.flyoakland.com/bart_airbart.shtml

BARThttp://www.bart.gov

Air Express Cabhttp://www.yelp.com/biz/air-express-cab-berkeley-4

Getting Here by Carhttp://visitors.berkeley.edu/gethere/traveling.shtml

Where Should I Stay?Piedmont Hotel/Hostel2434 Piedmont Ave(510) 849-4800berkeleyhostel.com

Hotel Shattuck Plaza

2086 Allston Way(510) 845-7300www.hotelshattuckplaza.com

Quality Inn1761 University Ave(510) 841-4242

Rose Garden Inn2740 Telegraph Ave(510) 549-2145www.rosegardeninn.com 3

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting

BERKELEYFuture StudentsHigh School Students

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 holiday tours begin at the Campanile. You can find more information here: http://visitors.berkeley.edu/tour/general.shtml

Cal DayA 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. http://calday.berkeley.edu/

Incoming FreshmenDorms/Move In Day:http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/housing/

Welcome Week:http://welcome.berkeley.edu/

ClubsThere 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 manning the tables and ask about the club.

Fraternities and Sororitieshttp://www.calgreeks.com/

Advice from a Senior:

-Talk to as many people as you can. Your comfort zone is smaller than you think.

-Take 13 units your first semester. Classes in Berkeley are no joke.

-Do not commit to a major until you are sure you love it.

More About Berkeley

College Confidentialhttp://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/

For chances to get into Berkeley, scheduling help, and questions on your major.

Berkeley on Reddithttp://www.reddit.com/r/berkeleyRecent Berkeley news and shenanigans

Berkeley Eventshttp://events.berkeley.edu/Events in Berkeley and a weekly newsletter you can sign up for

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting

BERKELEY

Closest to Campus

Smart Alec’s2355 Telegraph Ave(510) 704-4000Mon-Sun 11 am - 9 pm

Chipotle2311 Telegraph Ave(510) 548-0340Mon-Sun 11 am - 10 pm

Blondie’s Pizza2340 Telegraph Ave(510) 548-1129www.blondiespizza.com/berkeley.html

Free Speech Movement CafeMoffitt Undergraduate Library

Best Food in Berkeley

Berkeley Thai House (with Patio seating)2511 Channing Way

510) 843-7352www.berkeleythaihouse.com

Brazil Cafe (Best Music)1983 Shattuck Ave

(510) 845-1056Mon-Sat 11:30 am - 7:30 pm

Cafe Durant (Mexican)2517 Durant Ave Ste C (upstairs)

www.cafedurant.com Mon-Sun 7:30 am - 9 pm

Cheeseboard (Best Pizza)1512 Shattuck Ave

cheeseboardcollective.coop Tue-Sat 11:30 am - 3 pm Tue-Sat 4:30 pm - 8 pm

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting

BERKELEYBest Food in Berkeley Continued

Lotus House (Chinese)2517A Durant Ave

(510) 883-1811

Maoz (Vegetarian)2395 Telegraph Avewww.maozusa.com

Mon-Wed, Sun 11 am - 10 pm Thu-Sat 11 am - 11 pm

Sunrise Deli (Middle Eastern)2456 Bancroft Way

www.sunrisedeli.net Mon-Fri 11 am - 9 pm

T-Toust (Korean)2433 Durant Ave Ste F

(510) 666-8874Mon-Fri 11 am - 9 pm

Urban Turbann (Naan wraps)1870 Euclid Ave

www.urbannturbann.com Mon-Fri 11 am - 9 pm

Best CafesPeople’s Cafe2015 Shattuck Avewww.peoplesjoint.com Mon-Sun 7 am - 12 am

Caffe Strada2300 College Ave(510) 843-5282Mon-Sun 6 am - 12 am

Sonoma Cafe2131 Durant Ave(510) 665-1440

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting

BERKELEYFun in Berkeley

Sight SeeingTelegraph 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.

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Shopping

T Shirt Orgy2350 Telegraph Ave

Mon-Sun 11 am - 6:30 pm

Bancroft Clothing2530 Bancroft Way

Mon-Sat 10 am - 6 pm Sun 11:30 am - 5:30 pm

Cross Roads Trading Co.2338 Shattuck Ave

Mon-Sat 11 am - 8 pm Sun 11 am - 7 pm

Urban Outfitters2590 Bancroft Way

Mon-Wed 10 am - 8 pmThu-Sat 10 am - 9 pm

Sun 11 am - 7 pm

4th Street 1807 Fourth Street

NightlifeJupiter2181 Shattuck Avehttp://www.jupiterbeer.com

Shattuck Down Low2284 Shattuck Avewww.shattuckdownlow.com

Sportshttp://www.calbears.com/

Our Big Game is the final football game of the season ver-sus Stanford. Big games are held at Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium during even numbered years. Do not wear red.

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting

BERKELEYMore Fun in Berkeley

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About

Li Lin

Currently a 4th year at Berkeley

Questions or Comments ?

Email me at LLIN@berkeley.edu

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