Guidebook for Berkeley
Sightseeing
Berkeley Rose Garden & Codornices Park are perfect for a spontaneous sunset picnic, a quiet afternoon in the rose amphitheater or a kid-friendly play session. There is even a sorta secret waterfall.
140 locals recommend
Berkeley Rose Garden
1200 Euclid AveBerkeley Rose Garden & Codornices Park are perfect for a spontaneous sunset picnic, a quiet afternoon in the rose amphitheater or a kid-friendly play session. There is even a sorta secret waterfall.
Walk the hidden paths from our house to Indian Rock and enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge. Then, walk on down to Solano Avenue for dinner.
121 locals recommend
Indian Rock Park
950 Indian Rock AveWalk the hidden paths from our house to Indian Rock and enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge. Then, walk on down to Solano Avenue for dinner.
Food Scene
Hole-in-the-wall French takeout place that I cannot say enough good things about. Menu changes every month. Do try their crispy potato puffs. Grab a picnic here and enjoy it up in the Rose Garden.
71 locals recommend
Grégoire Restaurant
2109 Cedar StHole-in-the-wall French takeout place that I cannot say enough good things about. Menu changes every month. Do try their crispy potato puffs. Grab a picnic here and enjoy it up in the Rose Garden.
Great place for brunch or for dinner. Their pizzas are delicious. Very vegan/vegetarian friendly.
77 locals recommend
Gather
2200 Oxford StGreat place for brunch or for dinner. Their pizzas are delicious. Very vegan/vegetarian friendly.
A Berkeley institution. They serve a different kind of pizza every day -- always vegetarian, wickedly delicious and they have a line extending to the end of the block (don't worry, it moves quickly).
317 locals recommend
The Cheeseboard Pizza
1512 Shattuck AveA Berkeley institution. They serve a different kind of pizza every day -- always vegetarian, wickedly delicious and they have a line extending to the end of the block (don't worry, it moves quickly).
Authentic Indian street food -- don't miss their weekend specials. Casual vibe, very kid/family friendly.
84 locals recommend
Viks Chaat
2390 Fourth StAuthentic Indian street food -- don't miss their weekend specials. Casual vibe, very kid/family friendly.
Great Indian fine dining experience. Regional specials -- you won't find these dishes or the ingredients anywhere else.
30 locals recommend
Ajanta
1888 Solano AveGreat Indian fine dining experience. Regional specials -- you won't find these dishes or the ingredients anywhere else.
Authentic Schezuan cuisine. Their pork shoulder and the curried fish soup are to die for.
23 locals recommend
China Village
1335 Solano AveAuthentic Schezuan cuisine. Their pork shoulder and the curried fish soup are to die for.
Our favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Berkeley. After a lip smacking meal, hop over next door to the fondue place for dessert or stroll around the colorful Telegraph Avenue.
Finfine Restaurant
2556 Telegraph AveOur favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Berkeley. After a lip smacking meal, hop over next door to the fondue place for dessert or stroll around the colorful Telegraph Avenue.
If brunch is your thing, hop on over to Sam's Log Cabin on San Pablo. The vibe is great, the decor is cabin-y, the staff is a riot and the food is scrumptious. And they are dog friendly!
36 locals recommend
Sam's Log Cabin
945 San Pablo AveIf brunch is your thing, hop on over to Sam's Log Cabin on San Pablo. The vibe is great, the decor is cabin-y, the staff is a riot and the food is scrumptious. And they are dog friendly!
Delicious brunch and breakfast. Be prepared to wait in line on weekends. It is worth it though -- do order the Cloud 9.
25 locals recommend
Venus Restaurant
2327 Shattuck AveDelicious brunch and breakfast. Be prepared to wait in line on weekends. It is worth it though -- do order the Cloud 9.
Brewed Awakening
1807 Euclid AveIdeal place for coffee and a book.
Great little tapas place. Open late. Cocktails are good too. They have outside seating and welcome dogs.
49 locals recommend
Fonda
1501 Solano AveGreat little tapas place. Open late. Cocktails are good too. They have outside seating and welcome dogs.
Everything Else
Miles and miles of wooded dog-friendly hiking trails and also a lake. 10 minutes drive from the house.
495 locals recommend
Tilden Regional Park
2501 Grizzly Peak BlvdMiles and miles of wooded dog-friendly hiking trails and also a lake. 10 minutes drive from the house.
Dog friendly park. Great views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. Huge off leash area.
75 locals recommend
Cesar Chavez Park
11 Spinnaker WayDog friendly park. Great views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. Huge off leash area.
A doggie heaven of sorts. Off leash area. Water access. Plenty or grass to roll around in and pups to play with. There is also a doggy wash (Mud Puppies) and a cafe.
Point Isabel
A doggie heaven of sorts. Off leash area. Water access. Plenty or grass to roll around in and pups to play with. There is also a doggy wash (Mud Puppies) and a cafe.
Arts & Culture
Great performances. If arts and theatre are your thing, do check out what is playing here. Plenty of great pre-show dinner options around the area.
127 locals recommend
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
2025 Addison StGreat performances. If arts and theatre are your thing, do check out what is playing here. Plenty of great pre-show dinner options around the area.
We have seen some good plays here. Do check out what is on if you are in town.
19 locals recommend
Aurora Theatre Company
2081 Addison StWe have seen some good plays here. Do check out what is on if you are in town.
Essentials
Trader Joe's
225 El Cerrito PlazaOur local Berkeley TJs. Need we say more?
The most awesome produce in the entire East bay. The variety and quality (and price) is unbeatable. If you are here for an extended stay and planning to cook, do hop on over here.
419 locals recommend
Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon StThe most awesome produce in the entire East bay. The variety and quality (and price) is unbeatable. If you are here for an extended stay and planning to cook, do hop on over here.
Monterey Market
1550 Hopkins StA Berkeley institution -- family owned and loved by generations.
If cooking seafood is your thing, go to Tokyo Fish for the freshest catches of the day.
29 locals recommend
Tokyo Fish Market
1220 San Pablo AveIf cooking seafood is your thing, go to Tokyo Fish for the freshest catches of the day.
Every Sunday from 10 am - 2 pm. Our favorite farmers market. They even have live music.
22 locals recommend
Kensington Farmers' Market
379-389 Colusa AveEvery Sunday from 10 am - 2 pm. Our favorite farmers market. They even have live music.
Closest grocery store to our house. Renovated last year -- very shiny and new. They even have a Starbucks inside.
99 locals recommend
Safeway
1444 Shattuck PlClosest grocery store to our house. Renovated last year -- very shiny and new. They even have a Starbucks inside.
Entertainment & Activities
Nice park within walking distance from our house. Kids play area and a fun concrete slide. There is also an adjoining ball park where the doggies congregate in the evening.
34 locals recommend
Codornices Park
1201 Euclid AveNice park within walking distance from our house. Kids play area and a fun concrete slide. There is also an adjoining ball park where the doggies congregate in the evening.