The Northern California city of Berkeley is located in Alameda County. The University of California – Berkeley (UCB) features many entertaining things to do in Berkeley for visitors such as walking tours, a scenic tower and a Greek theater. Beautiful outside spaces such as Tilden Park and the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve next to UCB offer a wide variety of things to do in Berkeley's great outdoors.
Tilden Park is home to Lake Anza and this is a favorite getaway spot for locals as well as a popular attraction for visitors looking for water sports or other outdoor things to do in Berkeley. Lake Anza is known to have one section for swimming, with separate lanes just for adults, and one section for fishing. Lake Anza also features a sandy beach. Tilden Park has hiking and cycling trails, miniature steam trains and a 1911 Herschell-Spillman carousel.
The Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve has scenic views of the Bay Area. This natural preserve area was designed to keep some natural outdoor areas in the middle of the city. The Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve is run by the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) and the Preserve's woodland hiking trails vary from flat to steep.
Visitors to UCB may want to take a 90 minute, student-led walking tour of the campus. The University's Campanile/Sather Tower is 307 feet (93.574 m) high and is known for its 360 degree views of the Bay Area. The William Randolph Hearst Greek Theater on the UCB campus is over 100 years old and is a great spot for entertainment-related things to do in Berkeley such as listening to a speaker or a musical concert or seeing a play. The UCB Greek Theater is styled in the look of ancient Greek architecture, complete with columns and semi-circular seating. It's best to plan in advance and purchase tickets months ahead for some popular events held here.
The Judah L. Magnes Museum is one of the most interesting museums in Berkeley. Its collection of Jewish art and ceremonial pieces is North America's third largest. The Museum first opened in Berkeley in 1962 and the displays span 200 years of Jewish life in the United States, Europe and Israel. Pieces include manuscripts, artwork by Marc Chagall and menorahs and other ceremonial items from India and Morocco.
