Chuck wanted to show me Telegraph Avenue which hugs the University of Cal. at Berkeley. It was on the opposite side of town, so we drove in that direction and somehow managed to go around the campus stadium, and some of the student housing and…Read More

Chuck wanted to show me Telegraph Avenue which hugs the University of Cal. at Berkeley. It was on the opposite side of town, so we drove in that direction and somehow managed to go around the campus stadium, and some of the student housing and lots of Greek fraternities. As we approached the area, in the midst of a plaza, was a Chinese man with placards all over his body protesting the killing of Chinese by the Japanese. He stood on top of his makeshift soap box and I'm not sure he was drawing much attention to his cause. Let's say that this may not have been the concern "du jour".

It is nearly impossible to park on or around Telegraph Street. You can understand why they have what they have there due to the proximity to the University. In addition to the funky shops and unusual eateries are street vendors who line both sides of the street and sell everything from jewelry to politically incorrect T-Shirts.

We went around the blocks more than 3 times during which time I spotted handmade jewelry, hand-crafted pottery, wind chimes, candles, books, artwork and rastafarian hats, as well as talented henna artists.

Amoeba Music was crowded, and has a sister store in San Francisco which is larger. Here you'll find two huge rooms full of music covering all genres, from jazz to hip-hop to Latin and techno.

The street was animated with activity, and after having gone around more than 3 times, we decided to head back to San Francisco. This is definitely a walking venue, and we will walk it on future visits.

This entry discusses how to get to Berkeley and how to get around Berkeley once you’ve arrived. Berkeley is a great day trip from San Francisco or a trip in itself. To get to Berkeley: The Oakland International Airport is the closest airport to the city…Read More

This entry discusses how to get to Berkeley and how to get around Berkeley once you’ve arrived. Berkeley is a great day trip from San Francisco or a trip in itself.

To get to Berkeley:

The Oakland International Airport is the closest airport to the city (about 30 minutes driving) and contains the typical rental car companies. Various shuttles will also take you to your hotel (try the BayPorter), and a bus ($2) connects the airport to the Coliseum BART (the Bay Area commuter train) station.

The nearest AMTRAK station is in Emeryville, the city next to Berkeley.

You can take BART from San Francisco and other Bay Area communities. From San Francisco, you take a Richmond-bound train, a 20-minute commute. On Sundays and certain times on other days (at night), you will have to transfer trains as there is no direct San Francisco-Richmond train. There are three stations serving Berkeley (North Berkeley, Downtown Berkeley, and Ashby), but the Downtown Berkeley station is the most central to the campus and the downtown area of Berkeley. Unlike subways in other cities, BART is not cheap. BART will cost $2.75 one way from the downtown San Francisco stations to the Downtown Berkeley station. BART has an incredibly helpful website which contains schedules and other information: www.BART.gov.

Alternatively, of course, you can drive. Several major freeways serve the Bay Area; the connections between the freeways are often confusing, so make sure you have a good map.

To get around Berkeley:

Plenty of buses service the area. The AC transit bus costs $1.35 per trip. A map of the major routes is posted in the BART station.

You need a car in order to easily explore all the areas of Berkeley – especially Tilden Park and the hills. Berkeley is a city of discrete neighborhoods, some of which are clustered around a shopping street – such as Solano, Shattuck (downtown Berkeley), the Fourth Street shops, and Telegraph (the campus area). Although Berkeley streets are essentially in a grid pattern, some streets are one-way, and concrete barriers block off some streets in order to divert traffic.

Be careful driving. Police cars constantly patrol the downtown area – the police station is there – and the campus. Also, be careful of pedestrians: they do not obey the walk/don’t walk signs. It is not unusual to see pedestrians in the crosswalks walking against the light.

Parking is often difficult, especially around campus when school is in session. Some of the neighborhoods – like those around campus – have permit parking, so check all signs carefully before you park. Most of the shopping areas have metered parking for a limited time. The meters are both regular meters (one for each car) and newer ones (on Shattuck) which are assigned to about 5 parking spaces. To use these meters, look at the sidewalk near the curb near your parking space. There’s a number assigned to your parking space and an arrow surrounding it which points to the meter you should use. Follow the instructions on the meter.

As in any city, when you park, don’t leave any possessions visible in the car.

This shop is on the corner of Grant and University, has beautiful planters, suns, mirrors, tableware, and the biggest selection of Talavera tile in California. You'll see some pieces displayed outside on the sidewalk; it's impossible not to catch the splashes of color…Read More

This shop is on the corner of Grant and University, has beautiful planters, suns, mirrors, tableware, and the biggest selection of Talavera tile in California. You'll see some pieces displayed outside on the sidewalk; it's impossible not to catch the splashes of color on the pots. Not all the pieces had the usual indigo and yellow that is so recognizable as Mexican ceramics. Prices are quite reasonable. You'll see some wonderful examples in the photos.

Talavera is not only the name of the shop, but is also a certain style of ceramics which is a fusion of forms from Italy, Spain, Islam, China and Mexico. The art of Talavera pottery has roots that go back at least to medieval Spain. Popular in Europe since the 13th Century, many of the designs associated today with the art originated in Talavera de la Reina, Spain. The style was later influenced by Chinese blue and white porcelain imported by maritime traders. Dominican monks introduced Talavera to Puebla, Mexico (New Spain), in the 16th Century, where it is still proudly created in family-run workshops.

In the 19th Century the father of Mexican independence Miguel de Hidalgo introduced the production of Talavera to Guanajuato, his home state, where it remains a vigorous tradition. Today the finest Mexican Talavera is lovingly handcrafted in a vibrant mix of colors and designs, reflecting sources in Spanish, Italian, North African, Middle Eastern, Chinese, and indigenous Mexican cultures. Still richly evolving, the Talavera tradition has had a profound influence on Mexican culture, from architecture to still-life painting. Prices are quite reasonable. You'll see some wonderful examples in the photos. Close

Near Indian Rock Avenue at Shattuck Avenue by the Solano area, Indian Rock is a large, natural rock formation set amongst houses in a neighborhood. It's really random. Steps are carved into the rock on two sides. There's the back way, which is more tricky…Read More

Near Indian Rock Avenue at Shattuck Avenue by the Solano area, Indian Rock is a large, natural rock formation set amongst houses in a neighborhood. It's really random. Steps are carved into the rock on two sides. There's the back way, which is more tricky than the longer front way. Either way, bring a buddy and witness the landscape of Berkeley, with Oakland, Albany, and San Francisco in the distance. It's an unparalleled 360 degree view and a lot more fun than riding the elevator in the Campanile at Berkeley's campus. It's also a great place for rock climbing. Go at sunset or sunrise.Close