Unfortunately, our campus tours are limited in scope to only cover the Berkeley campus – there is so much more to see and explore in the surrounding city of Berkeley! Listed below are a few of my favorite places to visit while exploring after your campus tour.
Berkeley Thai House
Berkeley Thai is a longtime favorite of the students on campus – the outdoor patio provides an excellent ambiance in good weather (which, let’s face it – almost all Berkeley weather is good weather). The entree-side-drink combo is great for eating out on a budget, and the portion sizes almost guarantee delicious leftovers for the next day.
Normandy Village
Nestled in the quiet neighborhoods of the north side of campus, the Normandy Village is a taste of Europe right in the Bay. Either a drive or walk-by offers breathtaking views of this quirky themed housing – just be sure not to disturb the residents with your “oooh”s and “ahh”s!
Berkeley Rose Garden
While you’re on northside, check out the Berkeley Rose Garden! With over 1500 rose bushes and beautiful views of the San Francisco Bay, the garden is a sweet oasis slightly removed from the busy city around the bend.
Telegraph Shops
Back on the southside of campus, Telegraph Ave. is home to a wide variety of storefronts, from vintage shops to record stores! A student favorite is Moe’s Books, which houses multiple floors of fiction, non-fiction, and everything in between. I always make a beeline to the poster section on the bottom floor – almost all of the walls in my apartment are adorned with my purchases from here!
Lawrence Hall of Science
Whenever I have the time, I love driving up to the Lawrence Hall of Science to catch some breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay. The sunsets here are insane – watching the golden sun sink below the Golden Gate Bridge is such a treat!
Botanical Gardens
On your way to or from the Lawrence Hall of Science, stop by the Berkeley Botanical Gardens and marvel at the thousands of plant varieties surrounding you. While wandering through the gardens, I often forget that I’m even in Berkeley because of how peaceful it is.
November 4, 2021
Author: Emily Conway
Hello! My name is Emily and I am a Molecular & Cell Biology student, graduating in Spring 2023. I love Berkeley and became a campus ambassador to share my passion to prospective students the same way that my tour guides did for me. In my free time, you can find me doing all things creative - from drawing and painting to embroidery, 3D modeling, and digital art!