Welcome to Berkeley
A college town with prestigious educational programs and beautiful Bay views, close to San Francisco
The City of Berkeley is in central California in the East Bay area on the San Francisco Bay. The community is five miles north of Oakland, 13 miles northeast of San Francisco, and 10 miles south of San Pablo. Berkeley is a college town, home to the University of California Berkeley, one of the country's premier public research institutions. The city has a vibrant culture, with lots of history and diversity. It is a great place to call home.
Berkeley, California, is located just over the border from San Francisco and is the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement and the University of California. The mission of Berkeley is to provide a world-class research and teaching environment and support activities that will benefit the community. The city is well-known for its progressive politics, literary culture, and counterculture movement.
The community is known for its intellectual environment, liberal values, and dense population of colleges and universities. The city is also known for its many distinct neighborhoods and its wide variety of restaurants and entertainment venues. The climate in Berkeley is generally temperate, with mild winters and hot, mostly dry summers. Berkeley is a dynamic, diverse, and progressive city with a rich history and a bright future.
What to Love
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Exceptional college and universities
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Beautiful homes and Bay views
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Close to San Francisco and exciting attractions
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Warm climate for year-round activities and events
Local Lifestyle
Berkeley has a number of major technology companies and has a reputation as a hub of innovation and academia, but Berkeley is also a vibrant, welcoming city with plenty to offer families, professionals, business owners, and retirees. You’ll find some of the city’s most iconic attractions in downtown Berkeley, including the Berkeley BART station, the UC Berkeley campus, and the Campanile bell tower.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Chez Panisse is a popular fine dining restaurant with a warm dining area that serves seasonal dishes and a cozy café space for drinks. Endless Summer Sweets is a fun casual eatery that serves carnival-inspired eats like corn dogs and funnel cakes. Raleigh’s Pub is a bar and grill with indoor and outdoor seating that serves classic American meals, wine, and beer.
Cal Students Store is the place to go for California and UC Berkeley clothing and gear. Fourth Street is a popular area for upscale shopping and outdoor dining. The walkable area has many boutiques and luxury brand stores, and there are also events in the area like holiday lights, Earth Day celebrations, a Halloween parade, and more.
Things to Do
The Berkeley Marina is the perfect place to dock a boat. It is home to amenities like overnight accommodations, restaurants, fuel, and boat launches, sailing and yacht clubs, swimming, and water activities.
Cesar Chavez Park covers 90-acres and features a dog park, open lawn, hiking and biking trails, a Bay overlook, and picnic areas. Adventure Playground is a unique playground with a fort, tower, slides, and zipline. McLaughlin Eastshore State Seashore has 8.5 miles of shoreline and is primarily open space with a natural setting. The park has several trails for walking and biking and encompasses the Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex.
Schools
Berkeley Unified School District was established in 1879 and is proud to provide quality education to kindergarten through 12th-grade students. The district serves more than 9,000 students in traditional schools, an alternative high school, preschool facilities, and an adult school.