Berkeley

Written by Bakersfield Magazine

Flamboyant, energetic, academic, and artsy only begin to describe the cultural richness and diversity of this famous California city.

Quit hogging the spotlight, Southern California. Sure, Albert Hammond immortalized one of your most famous attributes in a 1974 song, but there's a whole lot of California that never seems to get any attention.

Okay, that's not entirely true, but it seems like those of us in the Central Valley tend to look south more often while planning a trip when we could be looking north. Maybe it's because Northern California seems much farther away. In reality, a five-hour drive (or a relaxing six-hour Amtrak ride) will have you experiencing the sites and sounds of the beautiful San Francisco Bay.

The Bay Area is rife with culture and exciting things to see and do, which is why it makes sense to spread out your visits. Don't try and tackle the entire region in one weekend. We suggest starting with Berkeley. If you haven't already traveled to this small town with a big reputation, expect to be wowed.

Renowned Culture

Berkeley has long been known for political and social awareness. The city was in the national spotlight during the turbulent 1960s when free speech, “flower power,” and civic rights were hot-button issues. That progressive attitude is alive and well, and the city, with a population of 112,580, is still colorful and lively.

Berkeley is famous for being a hub of academic achievement, scientific exploration, and the arts. After all, there are roughly 200 arts and cultural organizations, making Berkeley one of the most artistically-dense cities in the entire Bay Area. The Arts District is centered on Addison Street, between Shattuck Avenue and Milvia Street.

There are museums; dance, music, and performance groups; and multiple art galleries. Plus, Berkeley features its own opera company, a wonderful symphony orchestra, and a ballet company. Visit the Aurora Theater Company, the JAZZSCHOOL, or stop by the University of California, Berkeley campus for international touring artists year-round. Definitely visit the Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

The Theatre's 2011-2012 season is bringing stellar stars to the area like Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rita Moreno, and Britain’s Kneehigh Theatre Company. The Theatre has grown substantially since 1968 to feature two stages and a school. The Theatre even won a Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Visit www.berkeleyrep.org for ticket prices (they start at only $27) and show information.

For additional theater, try Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse (www.freightandsalvage.org). The award-winning, all-ages venue provides, according to the Berkeley Visitor's Guide, the “finest in roots and acoustic music more than 300 nights a year. The Freight offers classes, concerts, and a café in [its] new, green building in the heart of Berkeley’s Downtown Arts District.” There is music five to seven nights a week!

To soak up more culture, spend time following the Berkeley Poetry Walk—a public art display made up of 128 cast-iron panels embedded into the sidewalk on Addison Street.

Overall, Berkeley’s ever-expanding cultural scene hosts more than 130 nonprofit arts organizations and hundreds of artists and performers.

Come For The Food

During any visit to Berkeley, you'll have numerous choices for entertainment, but you'll also be overwhelmed with fantastic dining choices.

Berkeley’s north side is known for its amazing culinary culture. If you schedule your trip accordingly you can hit up one of two weekly culinary walking tours that usher you through what is famously referred to as Berkeley’s “Gourmet Ghetto.” The tours are led by Bay Area “epicurean concierge” Lisa Rogovin and feature one-on-one conversations with chefs, as well as the tastes of the area. Tour stops can include original Peet’s Coffee in Walnut Square, the Cheese Board Collective (one of the nation’s oldest worker-owned cooperatives offering more than 400 kinds of fresh cheeses and baked delights that also operates an incredible pizza shop next door, with live jazz piano), and even organic pastrami from Saul’s Restaurant & Deli. Offered Saturdays and Thursdays, the cost is $75 per person and reservations can be made at www.edibleexcursions.net.

Also impressive is the fact that the “California Cuisine” movement was started at Alice Water's (creator of the Edible Schoolyard) Chez Panisse. Chez Panisse is the crème de la crème of fine dining. You can dine in the downstairs restaurant and the upstairs café. Chez also serves as the unofficial anchor of the “Gourmet Ghetto.”

Every type of cuisine is available be it Indian, Italian, Japanese, organic, or something a little left of center. A more complete list of amazing eateries can be found in the Berkeley Visitor's Guide.

Bay Area Activities

Since the weather averages 50 degrees in the winter and 60 degrees in the summer, you needn't worry about a particular “good” season to visit. Year-round activities and hotspots are ready for you. Here's a sampling:

For example, you could stop by PIER 39. There is something for everyone at PIER 39, also known as San Francisco's Premier Bay Attraction. This is a festival marketplace with more than a hundred stores, 12 Bay-view restaurants, and fun-filled attractions for all ages including sea lions, street performers, and live musicians daily. Located at Beach Street and The Embarcadero. www.pier39.com.

Bring the entire family to Habitot Children’s Museum for hands-on play and learning for families with young children, 0-7. There is an art studio and seven interactive exhibit spaces. www.habitot.org

Stop by The Berkeley Rose Garden. Located next to Codornices Park, this garden is over three acres of row upon row of fragrant roses; 3,000 rose bushes and 250 varieties. The garden also has a redwood pergola, a picnic area for families, tennis courts (if you're in the mood), hiking trails, foot bridges, a terraced amphitheatre, and an ornamental pool fed by Codornices Creek, which runs through the garden. The Rose Garden is considered by many to be the finest rose garden in California! Mother's Day weekend would be a great time to visit as the roses will have been pruned in January to be at full bloom. Benches at the top of the garden give you a great view of San Francisco Bay.

Take a stroll on Solano Avenue, a quaint, tree-lined street that stretches for more than a mile across Berkeley and Albany. You'll find shops, restaurants, and boutiques on the “Ave,” and more than enough culture.

Visit the USS Hornet Museum and “explore an authentically restored aircraft carrier...from Captain’s Bridge to Engine Room! A National Historical Landmark, this ship participated in WWII and the Apollo 11 moon mission. Exhibits include naval aircraft and the West Coast’s largest display of Apollo artifacts.” www.uss-hornet.org.

Even if you're not planning on staying overnight, you can still check out the Berkeley City Club, one of the best-kept secrets in the Bay Area. “The Berkeley City Club was designed by Hearst Castle architect Julia Morgan, and the architecture is regal right down to its bones. The California State Historical Landmark offers exquisite guest accommodations with character and historic charm.” Numerous events take place here including open mic nights (dubbed Open Mic at the Little Castle). www.berkeleyhistorichotel.com

If you're in the mood for physical activity, grab your sneakers and ropes and head to Indian Rock Park. This is one of the best places to go rock climbing in the entire area. The park has large rock formations with carved steps, outcroppings for rock climbing, and panoramic bay views.

West Berkeley’s Fourth Street is a shopping district sure to impress—there's fashion, design, art, gifts, and fine dining. If you spend some time on Telegraph Avenue, you can get into the “Flower Power” culture and pick up a few things from street artisans and vendors. Then there's University Avenue, known for its unique collection of shops, restaurants, and Indian bazaars.

No matter what your budget or your time frame, you'll be able to fully enjoy what Berkeley has to offer. So show some love to Northern California and spend some time soaking up the coastal breezes and counter-culture that this Bay Area city has to offer. Check out www.visitberkeley.com or call (510) 549-7040.

Photos courtesy of visitberkeley.com

Article appeared in our 28-5 Issue - December 2011