berkeley finds

The Best Underground Spots on Campus

April 17, 2024
Megan W.

At a whopping 1,232 acres, UC Berkeley’s campus is quite vast. While there are plenty of iconic landmarks and popularly frequented spots, like Sproul Plaza, the Campanile, and Memorial Glade, there are also less trafficked areas that offer a respite from the hustle-bustle of campus. Here are a few of my favorite that I’ve discovered so far:

1. Ishi Court

Hidden in the bowels of Dwinelle Hall, Ishi Court is a beautiful courtyard surrounded by orangey-pink walls and plenty of trees. It’s the perfect location to take a break in between...

Stay True by Hua Hsu: Nostalgia and Reflections from UC Berkeley

April 10, 2024
Megan W.

One of my favorite aspects of attending UC Berkeley is encountering its name in the books, journal articles, movies, and other media I come across. This is especially true of one of my favorite books, Stay True by Hua Hsu. Stay True is a memoir following Hsu and his friendship with Ken, whom he meets during his first semester at Cal, as well as Hsu’s grappling with Ken’s death three years later. The book is a time capsule of the late nineties, a love letter to Berkeley, and a reflection about how to move forward.

Ken is described as the opposite...

Berkeley Bucket List – Library Edition

September 30, 2021
Cordelia Varona

Editor's note: This article was published in 2021. Some changes have taken place at the libraries since the article was published.

I’m on a mission to visit every single one of Berkeley’s 24 libraries during my final year at Cal. As the first month of school comes to a close, I’ve decided to highlight some of these spots that aren’t as popular as, say, Doe or Moffitt. Let’s take a look!

Anthropology Library (Anthropology and Art Practice Building)

The Anthropology Library sits on the second floor of the Anthropology and Art...

The Cal Falcons: Berkeley's Unofficial Mascots

April 13, 2023
Maylis P.

“Go Bears!” I hear this at least once a day, either when I’m walking to class, working in the Campanile, and especially when I give a tour.

“Oski!” I hear that at least once a week, be that on Sproul during game day rallies, or at sports games where students want pictures with our mascot.

The Golden Bear first made its appearance in 1895 and was made Berkeley’s official mascot in 1941. So naturally, hearing “Go Bears!” and “Oski!” has now become a part of daily life for all students. However, for me, the Golden...

Must-see Music Events in NorCal This Summer

April 4, 2023
Jazzy J.

Boiler Room x Fake and Gay - April 29, San Francisco

First up, there is the iconic Boiler Room event coming to the Bay Area this April. Originally hailing from London, U.K.’s underground music scene, this jam-packed DJ event is one you surely don’t want to miss. This huge party is stacked with over 20 talented DJs, with sounds ranging from Club, Pop, Reggaeton, Juke, and more. Tickets are still available, but get yours soon because this groovy event is sure to sell out very soon! Go dance with your friends and hear from some of the most...

Fun Things To Do Around the Bay

March 30, 2023
Jordan S.

UC Berkeley Botanical Garden

The UC Berkeley Botanical Garden is an amazing place to spend your time on a nice, sunny day. The garden offers the perfect day for nature lovers and is extremely relaxing. The garden itself is massive and is somewhere I have spent hours wandering up and down the different paths and enjoying the scenery. Beyond the beauty of the garden, there are plants from all over the world and they are all sectioned off so you can feel as if you are stepping into a new continent in each section. The crown jewel, in my opinion,...

My Favorite Eating Spots Around Campus

March 23, 2023
Jordan S.

There are so many amazing eating spots around the UC Berkeley campus that are all available for students to go enjoy. The amazing thing about Berkeley is that our food scene is largely dominated by local restaurants and there aren’t too many fast food restaurants around, making Berkeley completely unique. Whether you are looking for Thai food, an Italian meal, Vietnamese cuisine or simply a hamburger, there is a wealth of food to be had in Berkeley, California.

Thai Basil

Thai Basil is located within the Asian food...

A Letter to the People I Don’t Know

March 2, 2023
Alyssa H.

A man in the red bomber jacket who sits by Sather Gate reading the news paper, a man who goes on little runs down College Ave every day at exactly 10 am, a woman who believes the sun is artificial, and a man who makes his own animal-inspired outfits and stands in the middle of Sproul. Just like The Breakfast Club, there are so many distinct beings that would not come together if it wasn’t for the welcoming and freeing nature of Berkeley, both as a campus and as a city.

Over my past three and a half years in Berkeley, a lot has changed, but...

Course Highlight: L&S 12, The Berkeley Changemaker

April 18, 2021
Katia Gibson

As a campus ambassador, some of the most common questions I get on my tours are: what are some of the best classes to take? And, this one is a big one, but why Berkeley? What makes our university different from the rest?

The answer to these questions lies in L&S 12: The Berkeley Changemaker, a 2 unit course that students can take on a pass/no pass basis.

...

The Best Coffee Shops in Berkeley

March 31, 2022
Emily Conway

Coffee is central to the lives of students, working professionals, and hipsters alike. Whether you’re looking to fuel up for a day of work or relax and catch up with a friend, a cup of coffee is great company no matter what your agenda looks like. Berkeley, being a city full of college students and young self-starters, is the perfect place to explore with a great caffeinated beverage. I’m going to break down my favorite coffee shops on and around campus, and encourage you to use this as a mini coffee guide for the Berkeley area!

1. Caffe Strada...