Berkeley
Berkeley is a college town on the east side of San Francisco Bay, anchored by the University of California, Berkeley campus. Go for the campus, Telegraph Avenue and North Berkeley's restaurants, and take BART into San Francisco.
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Berkeley is a city in Alameda County, on the east shore of San Francisco Bay in Northern California. The University of California, Berkeley, a large public campus on the hills above town, is the main reason most people come. Telegraph Avenue runs along the campus edge, lined with cafes, bookshops and student hangouts. North Berkeley is where many visitors go to eat. The town is quieter than San Francisco, and the campus is busiest during the school year.
Berkeley suits a trip with a slower pace: a campus visit, a few neighborhoods to walk, easy meals, and a day or two in San Francisco. Many visitors reach the city by BART, the regional rail line that runs under the bay through the Transbay Tube. Sleeping here can be quieter than in downtown San Francisco. Plan two to three days to cover the campus, Telegraph Avenue and North Berkeley without rushing.
Berkeley in five
- Ride BART to San FranciscoBART links Downtown Berkeley with central San Francisco in about 20 to 30 minutes. It is a practical base if you want lower rates and a calmer evening.
- Walk the UC Berkeley campusThe Campanile, Sather Gate and Memorial Glade are free to see. Check the university site for tours and tower visits before you go.UC Berkeley visitors
- Eat in North BerkeleyThe Gourmet Ghetto stretch of Shattuck Avenue is known for restaurants and bakeries. Book dinner on weekends.
- Hike in Tilden Regional ParkThe hills above town have trails, a botanic garden and views over the Bay. Check East Bay Regional Parks for hours and closures.
- Get entry approval before landing at OAK or SFOBoth Bay Area airports apply the same entry rules. Visa Waiver Program passports need an approved ESTA before boarding, and other passports need a visa.Visa checker
Things to do in Berkeley
See all attractions in Berkeley
Need to know
- Airport
- Oakland (OAK), about 30–45 min by BART; SFO about 50–70 min by BART
- Getting there
- BART from San Francisco or Oakland; AC Transit buses
- Getting around
- BART, AC Transit buses and walking
- Best base
- Downtown Berkeley, near the BART station
- Time needed
- 1 day, or as a base for 3 to 5 days in the Bay Area
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Cool, rainJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 139 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rain
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Rain, mildFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, mild
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Green, rainMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 125 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, rain
- AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Mild, springAprilClear
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- MayClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Mild, fogMayClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, fog
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Cool, fogJuneClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, fog
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Cool, foggyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, foggy
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Fog, mildAugustClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fog, mild
- SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh24°Low14°Warmest, clearSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warmest, clear
- OctoberClear3 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Warm, clearOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- NovemberClear6 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Cooler, rainNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cooler, rain
- DecemberRain10 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Rain, mildDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 164 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, mild
Average daily high and low in Berkeley, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Berkeley
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 12°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 2 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Berkeley
12:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today17°9°2%Monday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Tue17°12°54%Tuesday: Rain. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 54%.
- Wed19°12°5%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Thu22°14°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri23°15°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat24°15°0%Saturday: Clear. High 24°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun24°16°0%Sunday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 09:13 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- JunSan Francisco PrideSan Francisco, a day trip
- OctCastro Street FairSan Francisco, a day trip
Day trips by train
- San Franciscoabout 20 to 30 min by BARTGolden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown.Read the guide
- Napa Valleyabout 1 to 1.25 hours by carWineries and tasting rooms.Read the guide
- Muir Woodsabout 45 to 60 min by carRedwoods near the coast; check the NPS site for parking reservations.
Before you go to Berkeley
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Rules for Berkeley, checked
- Travelers from visa-waiver countries need an approved ESTA before flying to the US. Apply and check current rules on the official ESTA site.
- Declare fresh fruit, plants, seeds and meat on your customs declaration. Agricultural inspectors at US airports can take food that is not allowed in.
- Tipping is expected in restaurants and cafés with table service. Menu prices exclude tax and tip, so most people leave 15 to 20 percent of the bill.
- Cannabis is legal for adults in California, but public smoking is restricted, and it remains illegal on federal land such as national parks.
Plan around Berkeley
Ferry town across the bay in Marin County
Read the guideAll of the USAParks, cities and the rules every visitor needs
Read the guideSan FranciscoThe city across the bay, 20 to 30 min by BART
Read the guideNapa ValleyWine country, about 1 to 1.25 hours by car
Read the guideMontereyAquarium and coast, about 2 hours south
Read the guideESTA, explainedWho needs it, the fee and how to apply
Read the guideBerkeley FAQ
Is Berkeley worth visiting?
Yes for the campus, food, bookstores and views. It is a good half-day trip from San Francisco, or a base if you prefer a calmer place to sleep.
How far is Berkeley from San Francisco?
About 20 to 30 minutes by BART from Downtown Berkeley to central San Francisco. Driving can take longer, especially at rush hour.
How many days do you need in Berkeley?
A day covers the campus, Telegraph Avenue and a meal in North Berkeley. Stay longer if you use it as a base for San Francisco and the wider Bay Area.
Where should I stay in Berkeley?
Near Downtown Berkeley BART for transit and restaurants, or by the Marina for quieter stays. Rates are often lower than in San Francisco.
When is the best time to visit Berkeley?
April to May and September to October for the warmest, clearest days. Summers are cool and foggy, and winters are mild with rain.