Stuck in Berkeley Over the Summer?

While many Berkeley students have left to spend summer at home or abroad, a lot of students have also stayed in the area to take classes, work in San Francisco, or spend time with friends without academics getting in the way. I spent last summer in Berkeley, and though I kept myself occupied, there were definitely moments where I got bored thinking there was no one to hang out with and nothing to do. Throughout this past semester, I had been brainstorming more ideas for what students who stay here over the summer can do to make the most out of it, and to make sure they’re still having fun even with work or classes. The good news is, there are tons of things to do, and this list is just the beginning.

 

Go Swimming

Despite Berkeley’s weather being bipolar throughout the year, in the summer it does actually get really hot. There’s nothing better than getting out of a class on an 85-degree day and jumping into a cold pool. The great thing about Berkeley’s campus is that there are tons of pool facilities available for the general public’s use. There are four pools on campus: Strawberry Canyon pool, Spieker pool, Golden Bear Recreational pool, and Hearst pool. For lap swimming, I would suggest Spieker or Hearst, but for leisurely swimming or just relaxing poolside, Strawberry Canyon and Golden Bear are ideal.

 

Attend Concerts

The Greek Theatre hosts a variety of concerts throughout the year, and what better time to attend a concert than in the summertime when its warm outside? The mild Berkeley summer weather calls for attending outdoor concerts, at the Greek or other venues in the Bay Area, most of which are accessible by public transportation. Definitely reference Ticketmaster if you’re looking for some cool live music events to go to over the summer!

 

Go to the Beach

A common misconception of NorCal is that it doesn’t have any beaches nearby. Yes, they are not as accessible as beaches in SoCal per say, but if you have a car Santa Cruz is only an hour and a half away, and Stinson beach is about an hour away. Usually, it’s a hit or miss for a sunny or overcast day, but the towns around these two beaches are adorable, and even if it’s too cold to get in the water, there are tons of shops and restaurants to explore in these areas.

 

Farmers/Flea markets

There are a bunch of farmers and flea markets that run year round, but during the school year it’s hard to find time to escape the rigor of Berkeley academics to spend half a day shopping for trinkets. Summer is the perfect time to explore these markets and get fresh in-season produce for a summer picnic or barbecue!

 

Oakland Zoo

The Oakland Zoo is world famous and a great place to spend the day! Adult tickets are around $15, a very fair price for an entire day at the zoo. I haven’t gone since I was a kid, but it used to be one of my favorite things to do with my family, so I highly recommend bringing along a couple friends and spending a day amongst the animals.

 

Bike across the Golden Gate Bridge

This is something that is on my personal summer to-do list. During the fall, it gets really chilly and a bike across the Golden Gate can seem more daunting than appealing. But, if you’re lucky and choose a clear day to do it in the summer, you’ll be able to enjoy a beautiful view all while staying active!

 

Watch a Movie

When was the last time anyone actually went to a movie theatre to see a film? Probably not in a while. However, summer is a great time to go to the movies if you want to escape the heat for an afternoon and sit in a cool, dark, air-conditioned theatre. Many people don’t realize that Berkeley has really nice historical theatres (with comfy couch seats!) and tickets are generally much cheaper than chain theatres like Century. Students also get a discount, so night shows tend to only be around $8. What a steal!

 

Head down to Fourth Street

Fourth Street, located close to the Berkeley marina, has an adorable outdoor mall that is packed with boutiques and home furnishing stores. Their products tend to be on the pricier side, but it’s a great place to stroll around and window shop on a nice day. The restaurants have excellent food and, if you’re an early riser like me, you’ll appreciate the amazing breakfast joints Fourth Street has to offer. I highly recommend Cafe M and Bette’s Oceanview Diner, but expect to wait because both places are always really popular!

I could go on and on about other fun activities people could do in Berkeley over the summer, but I think this list is a good place to start. If anyone has other ideas about must-see attractions, feel free to comment and share!