Downtown Berkeley Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Visit Downtown Berkeley
Popular places to visit
Historic Berkeley
Find out about the history of Berkeley with a stop at Historic Berkeley. Make time to visit the area's shops or simply enjoy its top-notch restaurants.
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
Discover works by Rubens, Pollock and Warhol and watch movies by international filmmakers at this museum of the University of California.
UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall
You can get tickets for a performance at UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall during your stay in Berkeley. Take in the acclaimed theatre scene and beautiful sunsets in this vibrant area.
Berkeley Repertory Theater
You can make plans for a show at Berkeley Repertory Theater during your stay in Berkeley. Experience the acclaimed art galleries or attend a sporting event in this vibrant area.
Berkeley Community Theater
You can make plans for a show at Berkeley Community Theater on your trip to Berkeley. Discover the beautiful sunsets and shops in this vibrant area.
Magnes Collection of Jewish Art & Life
You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at Magnes Collection of Jewish Art & Life during your trip to Berkeley. Experience the acclaimed theatre scene or attend a sporting event in this vibrant area.
Activities
Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Sail Around Alcatraz! (1-hour)
San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)
Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise
California Sunset Cruise (2-hours)
Our pick of the best Downtown Berkeley Hotel Deals
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
"Hotel was clean and well cared for, air conditioning unit is size of a washing machine and sounds like an aircraft in the room with varying temperature through the night. Location is good if you want really touristy area. A long queue for checkin and breakfast like a school canteen. It’s okay but ..."
Reviewed on 10 June 2026
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
"Location was great!"
Reviewed on 9 June 2026
Hilton San Francisco Union Square
"Inside was fairly clean. The outside could use a power spray cleaning at least every week from the smell of urine. Luggage Staff was extremely helpful. Check-in Staff that helped me could be more friendly to encourage customers to come back. Overall stay was okay to good."
Reviewed on 8 June 2026
Hyatt Regency San Francisco
"Very professional and very clean"
Reviewed on 9 June 2026
Parc 55 San Francisco - A Hilton Hotel
"Great but parking was so expensive, parking in teh city is expensive in general so I recommend not"
Reviewed on 10 June 2026
Handlery Union Square Hotel
"The room is clean beds comfy. It is an older hotel but very good. I would stay here again."
Reviewed on 10 June 2026
Check Downtown Berkeley hotel availability
Our guide on where to stay in Downtown Berkeley
Downtown Oakland
Theatres, art galleries and live music highlight some notable features of Downtown Oakland. Make a stop by Oakland City Center or Embarcadero Bay Bicycle Trail while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at 12th Street/Oakland City Center Station or 19th St Station to get around town.
Piedmont
You'll enjoy the lake views and architecture in Piedmont. You might want to make time for a stop at Piedmont Sports Field or Davie Tennis Stadium.
Albany
Albany is well liked for its seaside views and shopping. If you're hoping to see more of the larger area, Golden Gate Fields and Berkeley Marina are some interesting sights nearby to check out.
South Berkeley
While you're in South Berkeley, take in top sights like Telegraph Avenue and jump on the metro at Ashby Station to see more of the city.
West Oakland
While you're in West Oakland, take in top sights like DeFremery Park and jump on the metro at West Oakland Station to see more of the city.
