Tours

Berkeley offers a variety of things to do for both visitor and local alike. From the scholastic to outdoorsy to culinary and, of course, shopping, Berkeley has something for every kind of person and to suit every fancy.

University of California Campus While there is much to see and do in the city of Berkeley, the Number One attraction is the University of California campus. Cal's most recognizable landmark, the Campanile, offers a panoramic vista from its viewing platform. One of the country's largest collections of fossils awaits you at the Museum of Paleontology. Another university museum worth taking a look at is the Hearst Museum of Anthropology in Kroeber Hall. Across Bancroft Way is the Berkeley Art Museum. Grab a bite to eat at Caffè Strada or nearby at Cafe Milano, both popular student hangouts.

Telegraph Avenue Stroll the four blocks between Bancroft and Dwight and you will encounter graying hippies inside La Mediterranee. Grab a quick lunch at Cafe Intermezzo or Blondie's Pizza. Telegraph Avenue offers unique street vendors who sell jewelry, candles, knitware, art and y-shirts. On weekends in December, these four blocks of Telegraph are closed to motor traffic and given over entirely to street merchants for the Telegraph Avenue Holiday Fair.

Tilden Regional Park Tilden Regional Park is one of the jewels of the vast East Bay Regional Park District. One can easily spend a day in Tilden, whether swimming at Lake Anza, marveling at nature in the Botanic Garden, teeing up at the Tilden Park Golf Course, or hiking (or mountain biking) the miles of trails which roll over hill and dale into Contra Costa County. Centennial Drive levels off at the Lawrence Hall of Science, a hands-on science museum par excellence. Dine at the nearby Adagia.

Fourth Street Berkeley's Fourth Street Shopping District features all kinds of shopping, from clothes at A La Folie and Anthropologie, to makeup at Mac and Benefit, you are sure to work up an appetite here. Good thing too as Fourth Street is home to some incredible restaurants, such as Bette's Ocean View Diner and O Chame. Stroll a little ways further, towards the water and you will find yourself in the Berkeley Marina.

Walking Tours University of California at Berkeley (+1 510 642 3175 / http://berkeley.edu/visitors/free_tours.html) Berkeley Historical Society (+1 510 848 0181 / http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/histsoc/) Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (+1 510 841 2242 / http://www.berkeleyheritage.com/) Berkeley City Club (+1 510 848 7800 / http://www.berkeleycityclub.com/)

Boat Tours Think Escape Yacht Tours (+1 800 823 7249 / http://www.thinkescape.com/)

Culinary Tours Naomi's Market Tours (+1 510 525 7093 / http://www.cookingwithnaomi.com/markettours.html) In the Kitchen with Lisa (+1 415 806 5970 / http://www.inthekitchenwithlisa.com/excursion.htm#nberk)