Which city and state is UC Berkeley located in?
I'm a junior trying to get a better idea of where some of the UC schools are, and UC Berkeley is on my list. I know it's somewhere in California, but I'm confused about the specific city and region it's in.
Is it close to San Francisco or is it more inland? Also, does the area around campus have a college-town vibe, or is it more like a big city? If anyone goes there or has visited, could you describe what the city and surroundings are like? Trying to figure out if it's a good fit for me since I've never been to Northern California.
Is it close to San Francisco or is it more inland? Also, does the area around campus have a college-town vibe, or is it more like a big city? If anyone goes there or has visited, could you describe what the city and surroundings are like? Trying to figure out if it's a good fit for me since I've never been to Northern California.
1 week ago
•
9 views
Kathy Jayanth
• 1 week ago
Advisor
UC Berkeley is located in California, in the city of Berkeley. Berkeley is part of the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, just across the bay from San Francisco. On a map, you’ll find it northeast of San Francisco, about a 20-minute drive across the Bay Bridge (traffic permitting) or a quick BART train ride.
Being in the Bay Area is one of Berkeley’s biggest perks. You are right in a lively college town, surrounded by independent bookstores, coffee shops, thrift stores, and restaurants, all just steps from campus. The downtown area is walkable and full of farmers markets, events, and student energy. At the same time, you’re connected to San Francisco and Oakland by public transit, which means easy access to concerts, museums, restaurants, and some of the most exciting career opportunities in tech, business, and the arts.
For students interested in technology, especially AI, Berkeley’s location is unmatched. San Francisco is home to companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI, and you can be there in under 30 minutes for internships or events. Students often use BART or even the F-line bus, which takes you across the Bay Bridge with incredible views of the skyline.
The natural beauty of the Bay Area is another advantage. The Berkeley Hills are just behind campus, with hiking trails and lookout points like the Lawrence Hall of Science, which offers sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. Students can take weekend trips to Point Reyes, Yosemite, or Napa Valley, making the area a blend of urban excitement and outdoor adventure.
So while the short answer is that UC Berkeley is in California, the full picture is that it sits in the heart of the Bay Area—one of the most dynamic, beautiful, and opportunity-filled regions in the world.
Being in the Bay Area is one of Berkeley’s biggest perks. You are right in a lively college town, surrounded by independent bookstores, coffee shops, thrift stores, and restaurants, all just steps from campus. The downtown area is walkable and full of farmers markets, events, and student energy. At the same time, you’re connected to San Francisco and Oakland by public transit, which means easy access to concerts, museums, restaurants, and some of the most exciting career opportunities in tech, business, and the arts.
For students interested in technology, especially AI, Berkeley’s location is unmatched. San Francisco is home to companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI, and you can be there in under 30 minutes for internships or events. Students often use BART or even the F-line bus, which takes you across the Bay Bridge with incredible views of the skyline.
The natural beauty of the Bay Area is another advantage. The Berkeley Hills are just behind campus, with hiking trails and lookout points like the Lawrence Hall of Science, which offers sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. Students can take weekend trips to Point Reyes, Yosemite, or Napa Valley, making the area a blend of urban excitement and outdoor adventure.
So while the short answer is that UC Berkeley is in California, the full picture is that it sits in the heart of the Bay Area—one of the most dynamic, beautiful, and opportunity-filled regions in the world.
Kathy Jayanth
Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley | Economics & Slavic Studies
Experience
5 years