Berkeley 🤎 Campus Tour Route + Safety Guide

Berkeley is a must-visit near San Francisco—the only UC campus bold enough to go by “Cal” 🎓✨. That said, the area has some safety concerns 🚨. Campus itself is relatively safe to explore, but be cautious off-campus: ✅ North side is generally safe. ⚠️ South side and downtown/west Berkeley require extra attention. 📸 Tour Tips: 1️⃣ Start from the north side—we parked near Soda Hall (Computer Science building). There’s also public UCB parking nearby 🚗. 2️⃣ Check out Soda Hall if you’re into tech vibes 💻. 3️⃣ Enter through the north entrance—you’ll quickly reach The Bancroft Library and the iconic Campanile (Sather Tower) 🏛️. 4️⃣ Ride up the Campanile ($5 fee) for panoramic views of the campus and the bay 🌉🌊. 5️⃣ Exit via the south gate—another mini-landmark 🐻. Right outside is the university merchandise store featuring Cal’s mascot! 6️⃣ Hungry? Try iFruit or Gu Yue Xiang (a long-running local Chinese restaurant) near the south gate 🥢🍜. 7️⃣ ⚠️ Avoid walking around People’s Park (a tent encampment)—drive through if needed. 8️⃣ Other nearby spots: Rose Garden 🌹: Beautiful botanical space. Big C 📸: Hidden giant swing on the hill behind campus—great for photos! BAMPFA (Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive) 🎨: Closed Mon-Tue. 9️⃣ Hidden gem food spot: Brazil Cafe 🌟🌟🌟 Originally a food stall, now an outdoor eatery. A bit farther out but worth it—try the Pedro’s Favorite Tri Tip Rice Bowl! 🍚🔥 📍UC Berkeley University Ave & Oxford St, Berkeley, CA 94720 #USATravel #UCBerkeley #SanFranciscoMustSee #Berkeley #TravelTips #CampusTour