There isn’t another place in America’s college football footprint like Berkeley, California. Nestled at the base of Strawberry Canyon, Cal Memorial Stadium was built directly on the Hayward Fault. In 2010, the stadium underwent a 21-month-long renovation that cost $321 million to ensure it was seismically safe for years to come.
But the vibrations in Berkeley reverberate beyond the stadium and campus. The city is the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement in the 1960s and was a home to the Hippie Movement during that same time. A stroll down Telegraph Avenue still evokes familiar vibes, with bongo drums being played or tie-dye shirts being hawked by street vendors.
Beyond its place in history regarding social activism in America, it is replete with beautiful scenery, from the hills above the stadium down to the shores of the bay, with views of San Francisco across the way.
“UC Berkeley is the last major sports option in the San Francisco East Bay,” said Dan Marengo of VisitBerkeley.com. “The Raiders, A’s, and Warriors have all departed. In 2024, when ESPN’s College GameDay visited, Pat McAfee said, “It’s an honor to be in Berkeley, one of the best cities in the United States of America.’ College football runs through our soul!”
Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele’s recommendations
Most Berkeley spot: Tightwad Hill. A perfect, picturesque spot in the hills rising above Cal Memorial Stadium, where fans can catch games for free, albeit at a very far distance, with the view of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge as a postcard backdrop.
Favorite restaurant: Cali’s Sports Bar & Kitchen. “The smashburgers there are fire. I get a burger with three patties, mushrooms, onions and ketchup.”
Favorite relaxing spot: All the lakes around Berkeley.“I love going around there, fishing and being around the guys.” Local freshwater lakes like Lake Temescal in Oakland and Lake Anza in Berkeley offer fishermen like Cal’s star freshman quarterback an opportunity to catch anything from rainbow trout to bass.
Cal defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina’s recommendations
Favorite relaxing spot: Lake Temescal. “That’s where me and my buddies always go fishing. Right behind our stadium, there are so many hikes. We’re right at the base of a mountain. There’s a bunch of mountains that go to the top and you can see the Oakland Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, all of San Francisco.”
Favorite food spots: “Berkeley has a ton of amazing Asian cuisine everywhere. I never liked Boba (tea) growing up. But being here, there are so many boba shops. I’m now a boba fanatic. And Ube. Taro root, I didn’t know I loved that flavor, but I love it now. So all the Asian spots along Dwight Way. And (near) our stadium.”
Favorite thing about campus: “I love our campus and how it’s built. It’s beautiful, but it’s also a challenge, being built into a mountain. I take tons and tons of walks around campus to see historic libraries and people.”
Cal quarterback Devin Brown’s recommendations
Favorite spot: “My favorite is just going up to Grizzly Peak. The view. You can see all of San Francisco, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. That’s the best view in Berkeley.”
Favorite food spot: “Bagel Street Cafe is great. I love going there.”
Favorite views on campus: “You have to say The (Sather) Tower on campus, right? But the top of our stadium gives you a great view, too.”
Three musts, according to this Athletic writer:
Cheese Board Collective Pizzeria: Attached to one of Berkeley’s most-celebrated bakeries, the collective is owned and operated by its employees. And the best part is undoubtedly the pizza. One type of pizza is baked daily, and you might be in line for as long as 30 minutes, but it’s worth the wait. If the weather is cooperating, the restaurant opens its doors for visiting jazz bands to play music.
Berkeley Marina: Fair warning: it will be breezy down by the water, but the laps around the marina are worth the views and that accompanying breeze. Lush rolling green hills dot the landscape around the pathway that takes you to spots where, on a bluebird day, you’ll be able to perfectly see the glow of the Golden Gate Bridge. There’s often some really cool driftwood art sculptures to tour through, too.
Berkeley Bowl: Is it extremely on-brand to put an indie grocery store down as a must-visit in a place like Berkeley? Yes. But it’s a sight to behold with its endless rows of any sort of produce you want. And they have awesome lunch options. — Chris Kamrani, college football staff writer, who spent part of his childhood in Berkeley.
