Weather
According to Travel + Leisure, Berkeley enjoys an average of 256 sunny days each year and a mild Mediterranean climate. It is ranked A+ for outdoor activities.
Health & Wellness
Berkeley was named the No. 1 Healthiest Place to Live in America and No. 1 Healthiest City by Niche.com. Berkeley has over 50 parks with sports facilities, trails, and playgrounds. It also ranked no. 7 for Best Cities for Young Professionals in America.
Food
Berkeley has an international reputation as a center for culinary excellence. A focal point for the genesis of California Cuisine, Berkeley has 350+ restaurants, offering innovative and satisfying dining options covering a wide range of culinary tastes and price points, including many vegetarian and vegan options.
A staple of the Berkeley culinary scene is its collection of local, sustainable, fresh and organic food, and farmers’ markets offering flavorful fruits and vegetables. Berkeley is also where the roots of local/sustainable/organic “farm to table dining” took hold in the 1970s at Chez Panisse, created by renowned chef Alice Waters. Berkeley also helped launch the U.S. craft coffee movement—Alfred Peet opened the first Peet’s Coffee shop in Berkeley in the 1960s and the city currently has 60+ coffee shops (about 1 coffee shop per 2000 residents!). Eight Berkeley restaurants including Chez Panisse, Ippuku, Comal, Great China, La Marcha, Iyasare, Tacubaya, Vik’s Chaat are featured in the Michelin Guide.
Culture
Berkeley’s thriving cultural scene is home to dozens of arts organizations, artists and performers. The city’s creative spirit appears through its vibrant street art, public galleries the Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive, music venues like The Freight, UC Theatre and The Greek, to performing arts venues like the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Cal Performances.
Shopping
Berkeley’s shopping districts each have a distinct character.
- Solano Avenue offers a relaxed, family-friendly mix of restaurants and boutiques.
- The Gourmet Ghetto along North Shattuck is known for acclaimed dining, local artisans, and sidewalk café
- Fourth Street in West Berkeley is a destination for fashion, design, books, and gifts, while nearby the Gilman District is emerging as a hub for craft beer (Cellarmaker, Fieldwork, Triple Rock Brewing, Gilman Brewing Company, urban wine (Donkey & Goat, Tessier, Covenant Wines, Brock Cellars), and dining.
- Downtown Berkeley features a lively concentration of shops, restaurants, pubs, and nightlife.
- Telegraph Avenue blends counterculture history with student energy, vintage finds, and street artisans.
- The Elmwood along College Avenue is a sunny neighborhood corridor with bookstores, boutiques, cafés, and longtime local favorites.
Check out what each has to offer on DiscoveredinBerkeley.com!
Schools
Berkeley has an A rating for its schools based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.
Affordability
The median sale price of a 3-bedroom home is generally lower in Berkeley than San Francisco by $100-150 per square foot.
Walkability
Berkeley is considered a walker and biker “paradise” with walk and bike scores in the 99% percentile, where daily errands do not require a car and can be accomplished easily on a bike.