How to Find Hotels In Berkeley, California

Berkeley, California is located in the eastern part of the San Francisco Bay Area (the East Bay). Known the for University of California at Berkeley and a vibrant history of liberalism, this small, densely populated city also has lively outdoor shopping areas.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A computer with Internet access

Know Your Destination

1. Cross the Bay Bridge. Berkeley is just across the bay from San Francisco, where nightlife and attractions abound.

2. Eat out. Berkeley is home to Alice Waters' world-famous Chez Panisse, the original home of California cuisine (reservations required). Locals also throng the multitude of other eateries in Berkeley that range from cheap but delicious ethnic food joints to ambitious gourmet restaurants. North Berkeley is locally known as "Gourmet Ghetto."

3. Go shopping. The fun and funky downtown shopping district gets crowded at times, but is a good place for people-watching and window-shopping.

4. Know that Berkeley's history of fiery student protests is not particularly evident these days, although the community as a whole is still on the progressive side of the political spectrum.

Get to Berkeley, California

5. Fly in to San Francisco or Oakland. Take BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to get to Berkeley.

6. Drive into Berkeley from San Francisco if you must. Expect intermittent heavy traffic across the Bay Bridge, and bring your parking fairy. (Parking throughout the Bay Area can be either tough to find or expensive.)

7. Walk, take BART or hop on a local bus to get around Berkeley, if at all possible. Auto traffic can be congested. Make sure your hotel is located near a BART station for easy transit.

Get Accommodations in or near Berkeley, California

8. To book accommodations, contact Berkeley Convention and Visitors Bureau at [phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources below).

9. Stay in a motel or the local YMCA for more economical accommodations. Rates vary at the downtown YMCA, but accommodations can be had at times for well under $100 per night, making this one of less expensive places to stay in Berkeley.

10. Consider Emeryville. To broaden your choice of accommodations a bit, search for hotels in the nearby East Bay town of Emeryville. There are a several large ones here. Expect a surburban/urban vibe.

11. Stay in a local hotel. There are a couple of boutique hotels quite near U.C. Berkeley, as well as some national chain hotels. Expect big city prices.

Tips & Warnings

• Take University Avenue west to the Berkeley Marina to see the San Francisco skyline from across the Bay. Take University Avenue East to get to U.C. Berkeley and find local accommodations.
• Stroll around the U.C. Berkeley campus and you'll number of places to eat (although they can be packed with students) as well as exhibits and libraries.