Berkeley Travel Guide

"Still 'keeping it fresh' after lo these many years", "Alice and her crew" continue to "enchant" "foodies" who "come to worship" at her Berkeley "altar", where the "ultimate" Cal-Med prix fixe dinners are prepared with "unadorned" ingredients "right off the boat and garden"; "not everyone loves the Craftsman decor" or "being locked into the menu of the day", but most are "thrilled" to "walk through the kitchen" "where it all started" – "a philosophy and a movement, and it tastes so damn good" too; P.S. "reserve ahead."

"Experience the legend like a local" wink Berkeleyites who "show up in jeans" and treat themselves to "what lunch" (and dinner) "ought to be" at Alice Waters' "more accessible" à la carte Cal-Med bistro, a "low-key" "Arts and Crafts"–style space located above her "shrine"; the "to-die-for" pizzas, "composed salads" and "impeccable" service reflect the same "superior" standards as downstairs, but they come "without the religious intensity" or dowry-required price tags.

"Top-quality" sushi meets "rocking" robata "under one roof" at this "Berkeley mainstay" whose "local fans" are willing to "queue up 30 minutes before doors open" and tolerate "earsplitting noise" to boot; those who won't (or who get a "craving" between lunch and dinner service) "hit up" its spin-off at Epicurious Garden, which stocks "most everything the resto has but in the to-go variety."

"Top-quality" sushi meets "rocking" robata "under one roof" at this "Berkeley mainstay" whose "local fans" are willing to "queue up 30 minutes before doors open" and tolerate "earsplitting noise" to boot; those who won't (or who get a "craving" between lunch and dinner service) "hit up" its spin-off at Epicurious Garden, which stocks "most everything the resto has but in the to-go variety."

Serving "superb" dinners "made from the highest-quality ingredients", this Sea Salt sib in Berkeley will "leave you hungry – for a return visit" effuse fans who call the Cal-Med "seasonal specialties" an "ever-changing adventure of flavor"; with a "homey" setting and "fantastic" service, it all adds up to a "first-class" option "without having to cross the bridge."

One of the "best" in Berkeley "for the money", Corso's "understated" big sister still "dazzles" after 15 years, combining "magnificent" "seasonal" Cal-Med dishes, an "appealing" wine list (plus classic cocktails) and "outstanding" service "without the pretentiousness" elsewhere; the view of the "lit-up" garden is "lovely", and a summer 2009 remodel (not reflected in the Decor score) has transformed the space into a ranch house with Japanese influences.

"If God were to order a pizza" it would be one of the "zantastic" pies at this East Bay "legend" claim converts who call the trio's deep-dish "gut-busters" a "religious experience" thanks to the "buttery, rich crust", "wonderful chunky-tomato sauce" and "fresh" toppings "heaped high"; since it's "always mobbed", mere mortals may want to "call ahead for takeout" or "pick up a half-baked" pie.

At this modest museum and planetarium in the Berkeley hills, you can "perch atop a fiberglass whale", explore the many "traveling exhibits" and "hands-on science displays", and savor Bay Area views from the adjacent outdoor park; still, it's "not near anything else" and there's "more offered" at the Exploratorium, so unless you're intent on experiencing those "drop-dead, Jesus-take-me-now" vistas, some say it's just "not worth the long drive."

"Hidden" near Berkeley, this "huge" regional park is an oasis for weary road warriors who want to feel like they "got away" but "don't want to bother with the traffic to Muir Woods"; in addition to "miles of easy-to-medium hiking" and biking amid the redwoods, there are also "breathtaking views" and other "treasures" like a "challenging" but "reasonably" priced golf course, a swimming lake and a "magnificent botanical garden."

UC Berkeley's small yet "very good" art museum makes a "pleasant diversion on the way to CAL Bears football games" or when its founder "Hans Hofmann's paintings" are on display; the rotating permanent collection runs the gamut from Asian artifacts to local artists' works, while the film program features everything from Soviet silents to Japanese classics; N.B. free admission (including a 5:30 PFA screening) on the first Thursday of each month.

"Revert back to childhood" with "games galore" – from "darts and pool" to "Connect Four and Scrabble" – at this "chill" "hangout den" filled with "Birkenstock regulars" and Berkeley "graduate students"; it may resemble a "beat-up country cabin" (with "bottomless popcorn" the primary nosh), but regulars who call it their "other living room" note there's an appealing "selection of imported beers."

"Imagine a band playing in your living room" for the vibe at this "down-home" "Berkeley institution" where "you can buy homemade cookies" (but no booze) before settling in for "soul-warming tunes"; the "loyal" listeners "take their music seriously" and are rewarded with "artists from all over the world" – from "the best in folk" to various "Americana"; N.B. "brand-new" digs at 2020 Addison Street are in the works.

On "mild" Berkeley evenings and "warm, sunny days" the "sprawling" "garden patio" at this beerhouse is "unbeatable" for enjoying its "delicious" "homespun brews" and "wood-fired pizzas"; but it's "no secret", so expect to "hover like a vulture" "to find a table" during peak times, when the staff can be "clearly frazzled"; N.B. the frequent live music tends toward jazz.