17 Best Sights in Berkeley, The Bay Area

This combined art museum, repertory movie theater, and film archive, known for its extensive collection of 28,000 works of art and 18,000 films and videos, is also home to the world's largest collection of African American quilts. Artworks span five centuries and include modernist notables Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, David Smith, and Hans Hofmann. The Pacific Film Archive includes the largest selection of Japanese films outside Japan and specializes in international films, offering regular screenings and performances.

This combined art museum, repertory movie theater, and film archive, known for its extensive collection of some 28,000 works of art and 18,000 films and videos, is now also home to the world's largest collection of African American quilts, thanks to the bequest of art scholar Eli Leon. Artworks span five centuries and include modernist notables Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, David Smith, and Hans Hofmann. The Pacific Film Archive includes the largest selection of Japanese films outside Japan and specializes in international films, offering regular screenings, programs, and performances.

Enjoy spectacular views of San Francisco and Angel Island, as well as grassy expanses that are perfect for a picnic. The marina houses three restaurants and connects to bike paths and running trails. On sunny days, the 90-acre César E. Chávez Park, at the marina's northern tip, fills with kite flyers, dog walkers, and families grilling and riding bikes.

The success of Alice Waters's Chez Panisse defined California cuisine and attracted countless food-related enterprises to a stretch of Shattuck Avenue. Foodies will do well here poking around the shops, grabbing a quick bite, or indulging in a feast. Tigerlily ( 1513 Shattuck Ave.) dishes up authentic modern Indian cuisine along with signature cocktails and light fare on the patio. Neighboring Epicurious Garden ( 1511 Shattuck Ave.) food stands sell everything from sushi to gelato.

Across Vine Street, the Vintage Berkeley ( 2113 Vine St.) wine shop offers tastings and reasonably priced bottles within a historic former pump house. Coffee lovers can head to the original Peet's Coffee & Tea at the corner of Walnut and Vine ( 2124 Vine St.).

South of Cedar Street, The Local Butcher Shop ( 1600 Cedar St.) sells locally sourced meat and hearty sandwiches of the day. For high-end food at takeout prices, try the salads, sandwiches, and signature potato puffs at Grégoire ( 2109 Cedar St.). Masse's Pastries ( 1469 Shattuck Ave.) is a museum of edible artwork. We could go on, but you get the idea.

Stunning bay views, a scaled-down steam train, and a botanical garden with the nation's most complete collection of California plant life are the hallmarks of this 2,077-acre park in the hills just east of the UC Berkeley campus. The garden's visitor center offers weekend lectures about its plants and information about Tilden's other attractions, including its picnic spots, Lake Anza swimming site, golf course, and hiking trails (the paved Nimitz Way, at Inspiration Point, is a popular hike with wonderful sunset views). Children love Tilden's interactive Little Farm and vintage carousel.

Shops and cafés pack this pleasant neighborhood centered on College Avenue, just south of the U.C. campus. You'll know you're here when you spy the historic Elmwood theater, near College and Ashby Avenues, or notice the long line snaking outside nearby Ici Ice Cream, at 2948 College. Check out the architectural details of pre–World War II storefronts and the century-old shingled houses that line the tree-shaded streets.

Your senses will immediately perk up as you enter this upscale market that has everything to go, from impeccable sushi to decadent gelato. Outside, you can find a terraced garden—the only place to sit—that winds up four levels and ends at the Imperial Tea Court.

Once an industrial area, this walkable stretch of Fourth Street north of University Avenue has transformed into the busiest few blocks of refined shopping and eating in Berkeley. A perfect stop for lovers of design, curated taste experiences, artful living, and fashion, the vibrant district boasts more than 70 shops, specialty stores, cafés, and restaurants. Find inspiration at Castle in the Air, Builders Booksource, and Stained Glass Garden, or sip a perfect drip coffee at Artís, where you can watch small-batch coffee roasting in progress—one pound at a time.

An outcropping of nature in a sea of North Berkeley homes, this is an unbeatable spot for a sunset picnic. Look for amateur rock climbers, after-work walkers, and cuddling couples, all watching the sun sinking beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Come early to grab a spot.

This center is the starting point for free, student-guided tours of the Cal-Berkeley campus, which last 1½ hours and require an online reservation. You can also visit the website to schedule a virtual campus visit with a student ambassador.

This center is the starting point for free, student-guided tours of the Cal-Berkeley campus, which last 1½ hours and require an online reservation. You can also visit the website to schedule a virtual campus visit with a student ambassador.

When this Berkeley-born coffee chain opened at Vine and Walnut Streets in 1966, the unparalleled dark roast java was roasted in-store and brewed by the cup. Enjoy a splash while viewing a small exhibit in the back room that chronicles the company's evolution.

Berkeley's diversity is front and center along this evolving north–south artery in West Berkeley, where the old and new stand side by side: sari shops and a Mexican grocery do business near a hipster dive bar, a bait-and-tackle store, a typewriter store, and a dozen cool boutiques, all cheek by jowl in a melting pot microhood.

Start at Bartavelle Coffee & Wine Bar (No. 1603) off of Cedar. Order a handcrafted cappuccino and the best avocado toast this side of town. Journey a couple of blocks south to the Albatross Pub (No. 1822), a neighborhood favorite where grad students have been playing darts and eating free popcorn for 50 years. Tuck into solid Pakistani food at Indus Village (No. 1920) and stop by the Halal Food Market (No. 1964), then cross University Avenue. Duck into Mi Tierra Foods (No. 2082) for piñatas and chorizo—notice the Mission District–like mural—and Middle East Market (No. 2054) for rose water and rockin' baklava. Café Venezuela (No. 2056) has authentic arepas, and pretty much everyone loves the loaded thin-crust pies at Lanesplitter Pizza & Pub (No. 2033). The coffee at Highwire (No. 2049) is strong and delicious, and can be enjoyed indoors or on the back patio.

Long-running Country Cheese (No. 2101) has hundreds of cheeses, of course, but it also carries great bulk foods. Nearby industrial-cute Gaumenkitzel (No. 2121) serves up schnitzel, spaetzle, and other traditional German fare. Not to be confused with the fresh-baked loaves that come from Acme Bread (No. 1601), craft cocktails and curated whiskey flights are the most popular daily offerings at Acme Bar & Company (No. 2115).

As you move south, you'll pass lots of home-decor shops. Witness the chic renovation genius on display at Mignonne Décor (No. 2447) or venture into Ohmega Salvage (Nos. 2400–2403) and browse though its claw-footed tubs and pricey Victorian window frames.

At the corner of Dwight Way, stop for more caffeine at Caffè Trieste (No. 2500), Berkeley's homey branch of the North Beach bohemian coffee bar. Arousing browsing of erotic products can be had at sex-positive Good Vibrations (No. 2504). Find wonderful gifts for crafty soap and candle makers at Juniper Tree Supplies (No. 2520), and one-of-a-kind jewelry at Kiss My Ring (No. 2522).

Cafés, bookstores, poster shops, and street vendors line Berkeley's student-oriented thoroughfare, a four-block corridor just south of campus. T-shirt sellers and tarot-card readers come and go, but Rasputin Music (No. 2401), Amoeba Music (No. 2455), and Moe's Books (No. 2476) are neighborhood landmarks worth checking out. College culture and copious caffeine have long been found at Cafe Milano (2522 Bancroft Way); meanwhile, fab food comes quickly from nearby Korean-Japanese fusion hot spot Koja Kitchen (2395) and grilled-cheese grandmasters at The Melt (2400). Polish off a visit with an indulgent cookie ice-cream sandwich from CREAM (2399).

Known simply as "Cal," the founding campus of California's university system is one of the leading intellectual centers in the United States and a major site for scientific research. Chartered in 1868, the university sits on 178 oak-covered acres split by Strawberry Creek. Campus highlights include bustling and historic Sproul Plaza ( Bancroft Way and Sather Rd.), the seven floors and 61-bell carillon of Sather Tower ( Campanile Esplanade), hands-on Lawrence Hall of Science ( 1 Centennial Dr.), the vibrant 34-acre Botanical Gardens ( 200 Centennial Dr.), and the historic Hearst Greek Theatre ( 2001 Gayley Rd.), the classic outdoor amphitheater designed by John Galen Howard.

Thanks to Berkeley's temperate climate, more than 10,000 types of plants from all corners of the world flourish in the 34-acre University of California Botanical Garden. Free garden tours are given regularly with paid admission. Benches and shady picnic tables make this a relaxing place for a snack with a breathtaking view.

Thanks to Berkeley's temperate climate, more than 10,000 types of plants from all corners of the world flourish in the 34-acre University of California Botanical Garden. Free garden tours are given regularly with paid admission. Benches and shady picnic tables make this a relaxing place for a snack with a breathtaking view. Call or go online before you travel to reserve your visit.