A newcomer’s guide to neighborhoods, landmarks, and everyday life for incoming international students at UC Berkeley

Welcome to Berkeley — and congratulations on joining one of the most storied universities in the world. Arriving in a new country is exciting and a little overwhelming all at once, so consider this your friendly orientation to the city you’re about to call home. Berkeley is compact, walkable, and endlessly interesting: a place where Nobel laureates cycle past street musicians, where you can hike redwood-shaded hills in the morning and be in downtown San Francisco by lunch. The pages below introduce the neighborhoods you might live in, the landmarks worth seeing first, the food that makes this town famous, and the practical know-how that will help you settle in quickly.

The Neighborhoods

Berkeley is a city of distinct, walkable neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Where you choose to live shapes your daily rhythm, so it’s worth knowing how they differ before you sign a lease.

Southside

Directly south of campus, Southside is the beating heart of student life. It’s the most densely populated, energetic part of the city — think cafés, bookstores, taquerias, boba shops, music venues, and the famous Telegraph Avenue with its street vendors selling jewelry, art, and tie-dye. The median age here hovers around 21, which tells you everything: if you want to be steps from class, surrounded by classmates, and never far from a late-night meal, Southside is for you.

Northside

Quieter and leafier, Northside sits just above campus and has a more grown-up, residential feel. It’s popular with graduate students, professors, and anyone who values calm. The main artery, Euclid Avenue, has a handful of cafés and a small grocery, and the neighborhood is home to several student housing cooperatives as well as charming older apartment buildings. It’s a short, pretty walk to campus and to the trailheads leading up into the hills.

Downtown Berkeley

On the west side of campus, Downtown offers a more urban, big-city feel: modern high-rise apartments, restaurants, the city’s arts district, and — crucially — the main BART station that whisks you into San Francisco. If you’d rather have elevators, gyms, and rooftop lounges than a creaky Victorian, and you value being on top of transit, Downtown is a strong choice.

Elmwood

South of campus along College Avenue, Elmwood is an upscale, tree-lined neighborhood with a village-like shopping strip: independent boutiques, an old-fashioned cinema, gelato, and restaurants spanning many cuisines. It’s calmer and more residential, popular with families and students who want a softer pace while staying within easy reach of campus and the Rockridge area of Oakland next door.

North Berkeley & Beyond

North Berkeley — including the area known as the Gourmet Ghetto (more on that below) — is residential and food-focused. Further out, neighboring East Bay cities like Albany, Emeryville, and Oakland are well connected by transit and sometimes offer more space for your money. Many students happily live a few stops away and commute in by bus or BART.

Landmarks & Attractions

The Campanile (Sather Tower)

The 307-foot Campanile is Berkeley’s signature landmark and one of the tallest bell-and-clock towers in the world. Take the elevator to the observation deck for a sweeping view of the campus, the bay, and San Francisco beyond — and listen for the carillon, played live on most days. It’s the first place to take a photo and send home.

Campus Green Spaces

Memorial Glade and the surrounding lawns are where the campus comes to relax — students study, picnic, and nap under the trees. Wander the redwood groves along Strawberry Creek, which runs right through campus, for a surprisingly wild pocket of nature in the middle of the city.

Telegraph Avenue

More than a street, Telegraph is an experience: street art, sidewalk vendors, and Bay Area institutions like Amoeba Music and Moe’s Books. It captures Berkeley’s free-spirited, countercultural history better than anywhere else.

Tilden Regional Park

Just up in the hills sits Tilden, a 2,000-acre park that feels a world away from city life. There are miles of hiking and biking trails, a swimming lake (Lake Anza), a botanic garden of California native plants, a steam train, and a vintage merry-go-round. On a clear day the ridge trails offer some of the best bay views around — a perfect escape on a free weekend.

The Berkeley Marina & Cesar Chavez Park

Out west where the city meets San Francisco Bay, the Marina and adjacent Cesar Chavez Park are favorites for walking, jogging, kite-flying, and watching the sun set behind the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s flat, open, and breezy — bring a jacket.

Museums & Culture

Don’t miss the Lawrence Hall of Science up in the hills (hands-on science and a stellar view), the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) downtown, and the UC Botanical Garden, home to plants from around the world. Many offer free or discounted admission with your student ID.

Food & Culture

Berkeley takes food seriously — it’s arguably the birthplace of California cuisine and the farm-to-table movement. You’ll eat well here, and on a student budget too.

The Gourmet Ghetto

This stretch of North Berkeley (along Shattuck Avenue) earned its nickname as a culinary destination. It’s home to Chez Panisse, Alice Waters’ legendary restaurant that helped launch farm-to-table dining, along with celebrated bakeries, cheese shops, chocolatiers, and cafés. Even if a fine-dining dinner isn’t in the budget, the bakeries and coffee are very much worth a visit.

Everyday Eats & Global Flavors

Because Berkeley is so international, you’ll find food from nearly everywhere — and ingredients to cook your own. A few things to seek out:

• Telegraph & Southside: cheap, delicious, and fast — Mexican, Thai, Korean, Indian, ramen, halal carts, and boba on nearly every corner.
• College Avenue (Elmwood/Rockridge): sit-down restaurants, cafés, and gelato for a relaxed meal out.
• Asian groceries & markets: look for well-stocked Asian, South Asian, and international grocery stores around Berkeley and nearby Oakland for the ingredients of home.
• Farmers’ markets: the city hosts several weekly farmers’ markets bursting with California produce — a lovely, affordable habit.

A tip many newcomers appreciate: tipping is customary in U.S. restaurants — typically 15–20% at sit-down places — and listed prices usually don’t include sales tax, which is added at checkout.

Getting Around & Settling In

On Foot and By Bike

Berkeley is wonderfully walkable, and most students get to class on foot. The city is also bike-friendly, with dedicated lanes and “bike boulevards” on quieter streets. You won’t need a car for daily life — in fact, parking is scarce and expensive, so most students happily skip it.

AC Transit (Local Buses)

AC Transit runs more than 100 bus routes across Berkeley, Oakland, Emeryville, Albany, and the wider East Bay. As a UC Berkeley student you can ride local AC Transit lines for free using your Cal 1 Card (student ID) through the campus Class Pass program — an easy, no-cost way to explore the area.

BART (Regional Rail)

BART is the Bay Area’s rapid-transit train system, and it’s your fastest link to San Francisco and the airports. From the Downtown Berkeley station you can reach downtown San Francisco in around 25 minutes. Get a reloadable Clipper card (also available as a phone app) — it works across BART, AC Transit, and most other Bay Area transit.

Airports & Getting Here

Three airports serve the region: Oakland (OAK) is closest, while San Francisco (SFO) and San Jose (SJC) are larger international hubs. BART connects directly to both OAK and SFO, so you can often reach campus on public transit alone — handy when you first arrive with luggage in tow.

A Few Practical Notes

• Weather: Berkeley’s climate is mild but the bay makes mornings and evenings cool and foggy year-round. Layers and a light jacket will serve you better than heavy coats.
• The International Office: Berkeley International Office (BIO) is your go-to resource for visa questions, advising, and adjusting to life in the U.S. — visit early and often.
• Stay aware: like any university city, Berkeley is generally safe but has its busy and quieter areas. Keep an eye on your belongings, walk with friends at night, and save the campus night-safety services (like free evening shuttles and walking escorts) to your phone.
• Banking & phones: set up a local bank account and a U.S. or eSIM phone plan in your first week — both make daily life much smoother.

Make It Yours

Berkeley rewards curiosity. Some of your best memories won’t come from the famous landmarks but from the small discoveries — the café where you write your essays, the hill where you watch the fog roll in, the market stall that reminds you of home. Give yourself a few weeks to find your footing, say yes to invitations, and explore beyond campus. This city has welcomed students from every corner of the world for over 150 years, and it’s ready to welcome you too. Go Bears!