Welcome to Berkeley
A trendy and collegiate city on the Bay.
A scenic and collegiate city on the San Francisco Bay, Berkeley is one of California’s best cities to call home. The city is ranked by Niche as the #1 healthiest place to live in America, as well as one of the top ten best American cities for young professionals.
In the mid-19th century, the land that would eventually become Berkeley was open farmland, featuring a small wharf. The College of California—which later became the University of California—was built in the area in 1866, along with residential buildings, saloons, and a post office several years later. Thanks to the university’s influence, Berkeley quickly adopted electric streetcars, electric lights, and telephones.
Thanks to a post-World War II population boom, Berkeley grew into the thriving city it is today. An incredibly desirable area due to its proximity to the university, house prices in the area can be relatively high, particularly for large single-family homes downtown or sprawling mansions tucked away in the hills. Spanish-style and modern are popular architectural styles here.
What to Love
- Fun nightlife
- Beautiful weather and scenery
People & Lifestyle
Berkeley is an urban city that is highly influenced by the presence of prestigious university UC Berkeley. As a college town, Berkeley is quite liberal, well-educated, and packed with plenty of cool restaurants and fun things to do.
Young people love Berkeley, whether they’re in town to attend the university or find a job in the booming Bay Area tech industry. It’s also a great place to raise a family due to the excellent public school system, healthy and socially-conscious atmosphere, and plentiful activities.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Downtown Berkeley is packed with tons of amazing restaurants of all varieties, particularly near the university. With all of these plus some great shopping opportunities, you’ll never be bored in Berkeley!
Head over to
Fourth Street for some fun shopping. Here, you’ll find all your favorite retail chains, from clothing shops like Anthropologie and Madewell to specialty stores like Apple and Paper Source. Along with the wide variety of stores, Fourth Street also hosts regular community events to celebrate Halloween, Mother’s Day, and more!
Enjoy an incredible meal at the highly acclaimed
Chez Panisse, which is known for originating the California cuisine style. Try a delicious California-Mediterranean meal at cozy and romantic Rivoli, or gourmet French takeout at trendy
Gregoire Restaurant. There’s also
Saul’s Restaurant & Delicatessen, the perfect place to pick up Jewish favorites like house-smoked pastrami or warm rye bread.
Things to Do
There’s no shortage of fun things to do in Berkeley. Educational activities abound, and there are also lots of opportunities to get outside in this health-conscious city!
Berkeley offers frequent events that are perfect for residents to meet others in the community and try new things. The
Berkeley Kite Festival brings kite fliers together each summer, while athletic residents love to run the
Berkeley Half Marathon. You can also celebrate the holidays at the festive
Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair.
Stop by the
Lawrence Hall of Science to view hands-on exhibits and participate in fascinating, educational events. Artsy locals can enjoy theatrical performances, concerts, and festivals like the Berkeley Jazz Festival at the
Greek Theatre. You’ll also want to enjoy the stunning natural beauty at
Tilden Regional Park!
Schools
Berkeley is renowned as a highly-educated city with stellar schools. The city’s schools are operated by the Berkeley Unified School District. Top educational opportunities include:
- University of California, Berkeley
