Berkeley Off The Beaten Path

Berkeley not only has residential neighborhoods with intriguing architecture and landscape, but also interlocking pathways that hold a certain mystique. There are so many paths of unexpected design and in unexpected places that even a seasoned resident wouldn’t realize it. There is a Berkeley Path Wanderer association (http://www.berkeleypaths.org/index.htm) dedicated to keeping the trails in good shape that has put out a path map. I personally recommend wandering some of the paths in the beautiful North Berkeley Hills.

Berkeley is a weird place, and it doesn't get much weirder than the Albany Bulb, on the border of Berkeley and Albany behind the Golden Gate Fields race track.

A former dump turned homeless camp turned junk art gallery, the Bulb is a great place to go for a walk or a bike ride. I've put much more info on this unique space on my Albany page.

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San Francisco Bay is far larger than most visitors even imagine. It's much more than just what you can see from Pier 39, Alcatraz, or the Bay Bridge. The eastern parts extend many miles inland. Here, in the East Bay area, are parks and other out-of-the-way places that most visitors never see. Pinole Park is one, along the shores of San Pablo Bay.

Pinole is a small town off I-80, between Berkeley and Martinez. The park affords a splendid view of the bay. It has an excellent fishing pier, picnic grounds, and miles of hiking trails. For many years, a large factory produced gunpowder here, due to its out-of-the-way location.

The website and phone number are for the Recreation Department. Pinole Park, on the bay, is at: 1 Tennent Avenue.

Entering the University Campus coming from its south gate a visitor is likely to find one particular spot of land without any jurisdiction ruling it !!

quote:
THIS SOIL AND THE AIR SPACE EXTENDING ABOVE IT SHALL NOT BE PART OF ANY NATION AND SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY ENTITY'S JURISDICTION

The T. Rex skeleton is displayed on campus of UC Berkeley. The display is located inside the Valley Life Science Building on Campus in front of the science library.

This Structure is extremely big in size and very impressive.. Many many man hours has gone into preserving and putting the bones of this T. Rex together by students and faculty on campus hence it is well worth your visit on to the campus and at the Valley Life Science Building to see the spectacular site. The building may be closed on weekends (May be open on saturdays) but please do make sure you check before making the trip.

Also, I would recommend this display to any families with children who have interest in natural history.

Berkeley, especially the area around Telegraph Ave, is full of local street characters who pride themselves in their ability to create street art. These run from murals, graffiti, and street painting, to conceptual art pieces. As you walk the streets of Berkeley, be mindful of your surroundings and you will be pleasantly surprised. I came across this “Barbie Tree” just off Telegraph on Haste. A few days later, I walked by again and it was gone.

I've been told this is a great place to walk around in. I'm not really into flowers, but my mom is.

I guess this is also a place to be if you and your girl/friend want to show some public forms of affection.

A couple of friends of mine said this was also the best place to see the last meteor shower we had. So star gazers would also want to check this one out.

Located on Euclid ave. between Bay View Place and Eunice Street, opposite Codornices Park. Also It is in a nice hilly area to jog in if you are a power runner.

East Bay Vivarium

In the lower section of Berkeley, near the 80/880 freeway off the 4th street exit, lies the largest reptile store West of the Mississippi.

if you have ever watched Jeff Corwin or the Crock Hunter and want to see even more of these creatures from places like South America, Madagascar, Southeast Asia, Africa, ect.. up close and personal (minus the venomous ones) this store is worth a walk thru! (almost all are captive bred)

Plus over the past few years, this portion of Berkeley has been completely renovated and all sorts of businesses have opened up here.