Berkeley

 

Bordered by the San Francisco Bay on one side and two regional parks on the other, you’ll get the best of both worlds when living in Berkeley. Known for being home to the University of California, Berkeley, this diverse neighborhood is a bustling urban center full of hip restaurants and bars, lots of outdoor activities, and gorgeous properties.

 

From Spanish Revival mansions to modern masterpieces, the architecture in Berkeley is as diverse as its people. It’s a great place for both new and experienced home-buyers looking for their forever home, and with so many places to choose from, finding the right fit is a sure thing.

In Berkeley, you’ll find like-minded individuals who love the atmosphere of a busy community. It’s a hub for students attending university, as well as young professionals and academics who want to be part of a progressive environment. It has an urban feel but the hills provide a tranquil retreat and a sylvan setting. The temperate weather and great sun exposure make it a great place to grow a garden and entertain outdoors. For this reason, homes with landscaped and inviting backyards garner a great deal of interest among buyers.

Berkeley culture advocates a healthy lifestyle so you will find healthy dining options, and it also offers a plethora of cuisines with which to try your palate. Gather Kitchen Bar & Market is a can’t-miss location for West Coast-inspired fares. You’ll have a wealth of boutique shopping options on College Avenue and Solano Avenue where you’ll find unique and curated goods. Palm + Perkins is a chic little gift shop that’s full of unique finds and friendly staff. Their products are of the highest quality and range from earrings to candles. Paraiso Plant Studio is another great spot to check out, where you can pick from a large selection of plants to bring home and add some vibrancy to your space.

 

For a night out, Berkeley offers several dazzling opportunities. Enjoy musical offerings from up-and-coming artists and highly-accoladed stars alike at The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley. This lively, outdoor venue hosts a range of summer concerts and has been a staple in the community for over a hundred years. If you’re looking for a bit of drama, grab tickets to a show at the Tony award-winning Berkeley Reperatory Theatre or Cal Performances at UC Berkeley.

The Berkeley Rose Garden is a massive garden with hundreds of rose bushes and views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. Right beside the garden is Codornices Park, complete with a playground for kids, a picnic area to relax, and paths for walking and hiking. The Indian Rock Park is a quaint locale that has varying degrees of climbing difficulty, as you can go up a rock face with steps etched into the sides to get amazing views of the bay and beyond. To get closer to the water, the Shorebird Park Nature Center offers marina views and wildlife displays in their nature center.

 

With over 2,000-acres of greenery and miles of trails to conquer, the Tilden Regional Park is one of nature’s delights. Start your day off right by hiking one of its many trails, take a break with a dip in the lake, and finish off at one of the numerous picnic areas. It also has a ton of activities to participate in, such as a walk through the botanical gardens, a pit-stop at the Tilden Little Farm, or a ride on the 1911 Tilden Park Merry Go Round. Also, make sure to check out the gorgeous Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve.

Berkeley is home to several excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include: