There’s always something happening along Berkeley’s Telegraph Avenue

Are you visiting Berkeley for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to
see and do in Bezerkeley.

When I have a visitor from out of town, I first take them to the Elmwood Cafe. It’s new. It’s old. It’s in my neighborhood. It’s owned and operated by Cafe Fanny veterans, so the attention to detail in the coffee and food is up to expectations. That’s where my peeps from out of town and I regroup and decide what to do next.

Berkeley cuisine

There is no such thing as typical Berkeley cuisine. The shear definition of Berkeley cuisine is that it is changing constantly. But there are probably two restaurants that scream Berkeley. One of which would satisfy any visitor from just about any place, and that would be Bette’s Oceanview Diner on 4th Street. The other one would be the famous Chez Panisse.

Bette’s, although upscale when it comes to the idea of a diner, is still affordable and the menu has something for everyone. Go for breakfast or lunch.

Chez Panisse is most affordable for lunch in the Cafe upstairs. Or go for tea or coffee and scones, just to say you’ve been to Alice Waters’ famous restaurant!

Berkeley Rose Garden – a good place to relax and unplug

Looking for a quiet place to escape and unplug? Check out these two places to unplug in Berkeley, both of them are in garden settings.

The UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens is halfway up Berkeley’s  Strawberry Canyon. Take Centennial Drive up the hill behind the Cal Stadium. I’ve both driven and walked it, but it is a hike. There is a small parking lot at the gardens. The gardens have samples of plants from all over the world, including a great collection of South African cyads that look like they came off the set of Lost in Space. There are benches strategically placed throughout the garden to sit and contemplate the landscape, and it’s a great place for a sandwich picnic. Check their web site before going, just because they feature special parts of the garden during the year.

Berkeley Rose Garden can be quite romantic

The Berkeley Rose Garden is less effort to see and can be quite romantic, in a Victorian sort of way, when the roses are in bloom. Grown in a tiered amphitheatre, the rose garden includes varieties from all over the world and is meticulously kept. Cordnices park across the street is a great place for a picnic if the weather is cooperating, and it’s connected to the Rose Garden via an underground tunnel.

When you come to Berkeley, visit Sproul Hall on the UC Berkeley campus

When you come to Berkeley, get your picture taken in front of Sproul Hall on the UC Berkeley Campus. History has been made here many times over.

Looking for cheap food in Berkeley? Go to the student area of Telegraph Avenue for the cheapest eats at lunch time and a wide variety of choices. There is something for everyone’s taste and on a student budget, all within four blocks of the University.

The best vantage points are taken by going to the top of the Campanile on the UC Berkeley campus.

The Berkeley Marina offers great sweeping views of the bay and is the best place to watch or experience the annual Berkeley Kite Festival.

In Berkeley, outdoor enthusiasts will want to hike up one of the many trails into the hills for the views of the San Francisco bay.

Looking for a little exercise? Walk along the paths at the Berkeley Marina for spectacular views of the Bay.

The Berkeley Art Museum displays a wide range of work

If you are a museum lover, Berkeley’s best museum is The Berkeley Art Museum. It shows a wide range of work and often has interesting contemporary work in its MATRIX shows. and is home to The Pacific Film archive.

Enjoy a night out on the town? For a night of dancing, go to San Francisco. A night out in Berkeley is dinner and movie.

Berkeley is really not the place for late night dining.

The East Bay Express will keep you posted on what’s happening in Berkeley.

You can tell a lot about Berkeley from visiting – and people watching – at the Farmers’ Markets.

Hike the streets of Berkeley to experience the Wisteria in bloom

In the spring, if you are here in April, you should do some street hiking to experience all the Wisteria in full bloom!

In the summer you should attend a concert at the Greek Theatre.

Did you know that Berkeley is primarily known for its University and the University’s football team? Plan a visit to a game in the fall. The biggest one is when the CAL Bears take on  local rival Stanford.

Come to Berkeley for hot chocolate and to peruse the four floors of Moe’s bookstore in the winter, maybe timing it for an author event.

Insider Tip: Check out the often over-looked architecture of Berkeley. The city is known for it’s Arts & Crafts period homes and buildings, many designed by Julia Morgan and Bernard Maybeck. There are a few of them open to the public, like the Berkeley City Club, which is also a hotel. Another way to see Arts & Crafts period homes up close and personal is to scan the homes for sale in the Sunday paper and view them at Sunday Open Houses!

Architect Bernard Maybeck designed period homes and buildings in Berkeley

Go to Cafe Fanny for a great breakfast treat or coffee, and buy some bread for later in the day at the Acme Bakery next door.

Just outside of Berkeley you can visit Oakland and have lunch at one of the Taco Trucks in the Fruitvale neighborhood!

The best way to see Berkeley is to walk or ride a bike, but sites are really spread out here. If you are only going to be here for a day or two, having a car would be ideal.

Traveling with kids

Don’t miss the merry-go-round and the steam train in Tilden Park if you have kids traveling with you.

What are your favorite things to do in Berkeley, California?

Thanks to  artist-at-large Kimberly Kradel for assistance with this post.  All photos courtesy of Kimberly Kradel.

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Things to See and Do in San Francisco, California

Berkeley

Golden Gate Bridge viewed from San Francisco's Presido Neighborhood

Welcome to the Neighborhood, A Series About San Francisco Neighborhoods
About the author. Dianne Admire is the co-owner of San Francisco company Carried Away. Carried Away offers private, custom, experiential tours of San Francisco and the Bay Area for up to 4 people. Dianne and her business partner Vikki Garrod (a.k.a. The Ladies of Carried Away) are known for creating “the best day ever” in San Francisco and the Bay Area. To book one of their sights, food, wine, or shopping outings you can contact them at www.CarriedAwaySF.com.

Rental housing is availble in The Presidio San Francisco Neighborhood

The Presidio Neighborhood

This unique San Francisco neighborhood was founded in 1776 as a military post and remained a military post until 1994, when the military moved out and the Presidio became a national park/San Francisco neighborhood. That is a long story made way short. Instead of focusing on the detailed military history of the Presidio, we’ll get right to the question you may be asking yourself: “how does a national park also serve as a neighborhood in San Francisco?”

The Presidio is managed by The Presidio Trust (well 80% of it; everything except the coastline). The Presidio Trust is charged with making the area financially self-sustaining, which the trust has accomplished ahead of schedule. One of the sources of income is rental housing in former military homes. These homes range from the charming stucco and red tile roof homes to the the grand military doctors homes built in the 1930′s to more basic accommodations constructed in the ’60′s. The trust has rehabbed the homes to their former glory, with thoughtful modern upgrades in the kitchens and baths. These homes are truly desirable (if pricy) accommodations in the city.
In addition to rental housing, businesses have moved in. Naturally, when you have businesses and homes, a neighborhood of sorts sprouts up. In addition to the natural bounty of the area (breathe in the eucalyptus!), you will find restaurants, outdoor art, museums, and Yoda. Yes, the Yoda from Star Wars.

Wander through trees in the Presidio, a national park and neighborhood

Explore San Francisco’s Presidio Neighborhood

On the Presidio’s almost 1500 acres you’ll find plenty of places to get your nature on. We have three faves:
Chrissy Field. The uber-popular walking path along Chrissy Field is a must-do. One of the few places in the city to enjoy a beautiful flat walk, Chrissy Field offers people (and dog) watching, activity on the bay and views of the bridge, bridge and more bridge. Park at the East Beach parking lot and walk 1.5 miles to the path, which ends at Fort Point. If you go Friday – Sunday 10am -5pm, you can explore Fort Point once you reach the bridge. Walk all the way to the top of this Civil War-era building, and your climb will be rewarded with stunning views (the bridge so close you can almost touch it!). The scenery on the way back isn’t too shabby either.
Presidio Habitats. Dotted around the Fort Scott area of Presidio, the Presidio Habitats is a series of 11 outdoor art installations. Each one of them is dedicated to an animal in the Presidio, and as a group they celebrate the “wild Presidio”. Our favorites are The Winged Wisdom and Patience. You will no doubt find your own favorite by exploring each of the exhibits on foot. Start at the exhibition Pavillion (which is worth a visit on its own), to get a map and instructions for the self-guided cell phone tour.

Baker Beach

The ultimate urban beach – there is usually parking, you’ll feel like you’re a million miles away from the city (but it’s just right there), views to the Pacific Ocean horizon on one side and the GGB on the other, and a perfect picnic spot. Please note, the east end of the beach is clothing optional and even on the chilliest of summer days, it’s populated.

Eat & Drink in San Francisco’s Presido

After a day in nature, you’re going to need to eat! Here are a two options in the Presidio:
Presidio Social Club. California comfort food is what it’s all about at the PSC. Housed in former enlisted men’s barracks, the Presidio Social Club is beautifully renovated with a communal table constructed from a tree trunk and a marble bar with comfortable stools. We love the dungeness crabcake sliders, chicken liver pate, and the gruyere cheese toasts with tomato dip.
La Terrasse. A French accent in the all-American Presidio, La Terrasse’s French bistro menu should warm you up on a foggy day, and replenish your reserves (hello pommes frites!).
Both the Presidio Social Club and La Terrase offer extensive cocktail menus and wine lists (would we recommend a resto that didn’t?).

Yoda statue in San Francisco's Presidio Neighborhood

Shop Presidio

The Warming Hut Bookstore & Cafe. It’s know for their coffee and and sandwiches, soups and snacks, but this is also a great place to pick up a memento of your day in the Presidio.

P.S. about that Yoda… For Star Wars fans, the Yoda fountain outside of George Lucas’ Letterman Digital Arts Center is a mecca of sorts.

What is your favorite neighborhood in San Francisco? What are your favorite things to do in San Francisco?

Related Posts:

San Francisco Neighborhoods – Divisadero Corridor

San Francisco Neighborhoods – North Beach

San Francisco Neighborhoods – Pacific Heights

Things to Do in San Francisco

Where to Eat Cheap in San Francisco

Yoda statue photo courtesy of Niall Kennedy’s Flickr Photostream

San Francisco

Come to New Orleans, Louisiana for Mardi Gras to watch the colorful floats in the parades

Are you visiting New Orleans, Louisiana for the first time? Below is a list of Insider Tips and recommendations for things to see and do in the ” Big Easy.”

When I have a visitor from out of town, I take them to cocktails at the Sazerac Bar in the historic Roosevelt Hotel.

If you are looking for typical New Orleans cuisine,  order a good po-boy from Johnny’s, Mother’s or Parkway Bakery and Tavern.

Looking for a quiet place to reflect? Check out the Besthoff Sculpture Garden located in City Park. On a warm day, head next door to the New Orleans Museum of Art to cool down and study more than 30,000 art objects.

If you come to New Orleans, get your picture taken at Jackson Square.

Magical Mardi Gras Costumes in New Orleans, Louisiana

The best item on the menu at Cafe du Monde, are the beignets.

Seeing a lot of Fleur de Lis in New Orleans? It is the official symbol of the city (and the New Orleans Saints) and can be found everywhere.

Looking for cheap food in New Orleans? Go anywhere that serves gumbo, red beans and rice or a po-boy. All run under $7.

For an expensive, yet quality meal, go to Restaurant August, owned by Chef John Besh.

In New Orleans, take your picture with a street performer on Royal Street, on stage at Cats Meow on Bourbon, or with a Hurricane drinking glass on Pat O’s.

The Omni Royal Orleans Rooftop Pool offers great views, and the lobby of the Westin Canal Place is another good place to people watch.

The Fleur de Lis is the official symbol of New Orleans, Louisiana.

In New Orleans, an active day outdoors involves eating and walking to the next bar.

Looking for a little exercise? Walk the French Quarter, although a streetcar ride down the St. Charles Avenue route is even better.

If you are a museum lover, New Orleans’ best museum is the National World War II Museum.

Enjoy a night out on the town? For a night of dancing, go Frenchmen Street. It’s known as the local’s Bourbon Street with plenty of live music.

The Times-Picayune will keep you posted on local happenings in the newspaper.

You can tell a lot about New Orleans from visiting and watching  Mardi Gras. It really sums up the ‘Joie de vivre’ attitude.

Attend Louisiana's New Orleans Jazz Fest in the spring.

If you are a jazz fan, come to  New Orleans Jazz Fest in the spring.

Tales of the Cocktail is a must do in the summer in New Orleans.

Did you know that New Orleans is America’s most haunted city? Visit in the fall and experience Halloween!

Come to New Orleans, Louisiana for Mardi Gras in the winter.

Insider Tip: checkout the often over-looked Ye Olde College Inn. It’s a short cab ride away to Mid City New Orleans. After, head next door to Rock n Bowl for live music and bowling.

If you order one thing off the menu at Cafe du Monde, get the beignets

Go to Café du Monde for beignets and café au lait  for a great breakfast treat or coffee.

Don’t miss The Audubon Insectarium if you have kids traveling with you.

What are your favorite things to do in New Orleans, Louisiana?

Photos courtesy of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Jazz photo courtesy of Donn Young. Cafe Du Monde photo courtesy of Pat Garin.

New Orleans