There is no other place in the footprint of American college football than Berkeley, California. Located at the base of Strawberry Canyon, Cal Memorial Stadium was built directly on the Hayward Fault. In 2010, the stadium underwent a 21-month, $321 million renovation to ensure it was seismically safe for years to come.
But the tremors in Berkeley are reverberating beyond the stadium and campus. The city is the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement in the 1960s and was home to the hippie movement at the same time. A walk down Telegraph Avenue still evokes a familiar atmosphere, with bongo drums being played or tie-dye shirts being promoted by street vendors.
In addition to its place in history regarding social activism in America, it is full of beautiful scenery, from the hills above the stadium 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,” says Dan Marengo Visit berkeley.com. “The Raiders, A’s and Warriors have all left. 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 souls!”
Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele’s recommendations
Most spot in Berkeley: Tightwad Hill. A perfect, picturesque spot in the hills above Cal Memorial Stadium, where fans can watch games for free, albeit at great distance, with views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge as a postcard backdrop.
Favorite restaurant: Cali’s sports bar and kitchen. “The smash burgers there are fire. I get a burger with three patties, mushrooms, onions and ketchup.”
Favorite relaxing spot: All lakes around Berkeley. “I love hanging out there, fishing and being around the guys.” Local freshwater lakes like Lake Temescal in Oakland and Lake Anza in Berkeley offer anglers like Cal’s top freshman quarterback the chance to catch everything from rainbow trout to bass.
Cal defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina’s recommendations
Favorite relaxing spot: Temescal Lake. “That’s where me and my friends always go fishing. Right behind our stadium there are so many hikes. We’re right at the base of a mountain. There are a bunch of mountains that go to the top and you can see the Oakland Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and all of San Francisco.”
Favorite places to eat: “Berkeley has great Asian cuisine everywhere. I never liked Boba (tea) growing up. But now that I’m here, there are so many boba shops. I’m a boba fanatic now. And Ube. Taro root, I didn’t know I liked that flavor, but I love it now. So all the Asian places along Dwight Way. And (near) our stadium.”
Favorite thing about campus: “I love our campus and how it was built. It’s beautiful, but it’s also challenging because it’s built into a mountain. I take countless walks around campus to see historic libraries and people.”
Cal quarterback Devin Brown’s recommendations
Favorite place: “My favorite is just going 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 place to eat: “Bagel Street Cafe is great. I love going there.”
Favorite views of campus: “You have to say The (Sather) Tower on campus, right? But from the top of our stadium you also have a beautiful view.”
Three musts, according to this Athletic writer:
Cheeseboard Collective Pizzeria: The collective is affiliated with one of Berkeley’s most celebrated bakeries and is owned and operated by its employees. And the best part is undoubtedly the pizza. One type of pizza is baked daily and you may have to wait in line for 30 minutes, but it is worth the wait. When the weather cooperates, the restaurant opens its doors for visiting jazz bands to play music.
Berkeley marina: Fair warning: it will be windy on the water, but the laps around the marina are worth the view and the accompanying breeze. Lush rolling green hills adorn the landscape around the trail that takes you to spots where you can perfectly see the glow of the Golden Gate Bridge on a bluebird day. There are also often really cool driftwood art sculptures that you can tour through.
Berkeley bowl: Is it extremely on-brand to establish an independent grocery store as a must-visit in a place like Berkeley? Yes. But it is a sight to behold with its endless rows of every kind of product you could want. And they have great lunch options. — Chris Kamrani, college football staff writer who spent part of his youth in Berkeley.
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