Sather Tower (the Campanile), UC Berkeley. Photo: Ryan Schwark, Wikimedia Commons (CC0). Display cropped to fit.
EAST BAY CITIES · ALAMEDA COUNTY
Berkeley
Home to UC Berkeley, neighborhood food traditions and a network of public libraries.
History & Character
Berkeley’s identity includes its university, civic life and neighborhood food culture. Explore the city through its public library, weekly farmers’ markets and local stories, including the worker-owned Cheese Board collective.
Practical Info
Explore More
Useful information for your next visit.
Berkeley Central Library
At 2090 Kittredge Street, at Shattuck Avenue, Central Library is a useful downtown stop for reading, library services and local-history research. The Berkeley History Room is on the second floor; its staffed access has a separate schedule from general library opening hours.
Information checked September 30, 2026. Holiday closures can differ. Official details and program registration.
Food and everyday shopping
Berkeley has three Ecology Center farmers’ markets: Tuesday 2–6:30 PM at Adeline and 63rd Street; Thursday 3–7 PM at Shattuck and Vine; Saturday 10 AM–2:30 PM at Center Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Expect produce, prepared foods and other vendor offerings.
Read our market guide →Plan the rest of your day
Explore our local stories for background, then use the activity summaries to choose a park, market or gathering. For an event, check the date, start and end times, address, cost and whether registration is needed.
Read local stories → · Explore things to do → · Everyday home guidance →