10 Fun Free Things To Do Around UC Berkeley

Downtown Berkeley has so many different things to see and do. These are the best fun free things to do around UC Berkeley that you have to try!

Since studying at UC Berkeley takes up most of a student’s time, it is difficult to notice just how awesome the city of Berkeley, California, actually is when you stop to look. There are SO many things to do; it’s Downtown Berkeley after all! These are 10 cool and free things to do around UC Berkeley!

Note: Most of these activities require university identification via your Cal 1 Card. So, if you’re a student, most of the below things are free, and if you’re not, they’re still accessible to you, but only for a certain cost – usually small. Enjoy!

1. UC Botanical Garden

The University of California Botanical Garden is a 34-acre botanical garden located on the University of California, Berkeley campus, in Strawberry Canyon. If you ask any freshman if they have visited the garden, chances are they will say yes. People typically spend up to 2 hours here, since it has so much rich history and beautiful scenery. The Botanical Garden is known for all of the rare and beautiful plants that it is home to. The majestic variety of plants and nature in this place is enough to release all stress away.

2. Berkeley Marina

Berkeley Marina, located at the foot of University Avenue on San Francisco Bay, in CA, is a beautiful place to go and marvel at the view. This is an awesome place to take a date to because the view is seriously breath-taking, especially at sunset!

3. Trek All Over Downtown Berkeley and Explore (Urban) Mother Nature

Downtown Berkeley gives off the busy city vibes and reminds me of NYC. It is known as the business district, because of all of the buildings, restaurants, and retail shops. San Francisco can be viewed across the Bay, providing a marvelous scene.

4. Lawrence Hall of Science

Situated above the hills of Cal campus, the Lawrence Hall of Science holds several amazing permanent exhibits, including a huge astronomical structure, an outdoor science park, and an interactive globe displaying real scientific data from Earth. You might love the insect zoo, the seismograph, and a larger-than-life DNA sculpture that sits there, too.

5. The Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA)

I’ve walked more times past this place than I have by campus bathrooms (It’s true). The new BAMPFA, equipped with all new updates and renovations, opened in 2016, and is a combined art museum and repertory movie theater and archive, associated with UC Berkeley. This building specializes in international films and includes a library of documentation. You can take advantage of Free Thursdays which happen at the first Thursday of every month.

6. Free Popsicles Around Cal on Fridays

Sometimes, people hand out free Popsicles around campus on Fridays. If you are lucky enough to get one, try the Coconut Creme ones!

7. Free Dinner and Refreshments At Symposiums and Seminars

These symposiums and seminars are completely free and can connect you with a lot of awesome professionals! And if that isn’t enough to make you want to go, there are free dinner and refreshments at these events, win-win!

8. Attend Tutoring Sessions

Free drop-in tutoring sessions are accessible for Cal students at the Student Learning Center (SLC) and the Math Lab! Attending tutoring sessions doesn’t seem like it would be fun, but it is an awesome opportunity to get some help on the subjects that you find more difficult. If you are bored and looking for something to do, give it a try!

9. Discover the Cool Street Fairs Happenin’ in the City

I would recommend checking out the City of Berkeley website often – for dates, times, admission fees and other relevant details on local festivals going on in the city. There are always events and fairs going on that are definitely worth checking out!

10. Check out Tilden Regional Park

This is a massive regional park located at Grizzly Peak Boulevard (I always love saying that address). Known as the ‘jewel of the system’, Tilden Park is one of the oldest parks in the East Bay and sets the recreational tone for the entire area.

Do you have any other free things to do around UC Berkeley!? Share in the comments below!

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own!

Featured Image: weheartit

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Aliza Siddiqui

AN INTENDED ECONOMICS MAJOR, ALIZA IS A SOPHOMORE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY LOOKING FORWARD TO ALL THAT LIFE AND SOCIETY19 HAS TO OFFER. SHE HAS STUDIED IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT SCHOOLS IN OVER SIX DIFFERENT COUNTRIES SINCE BIRTH, AND HAS THUS SUFFERED SEVERAL INFORMAL 'LAWSUITS' OVER FABRICATING A NEW RESPONSE TO THE “WHERE ARE YOU FROM?” QUESTION EVERY TIME IT IS ASKED; THE ANSWER DIFFERS DEPENDING ON THE CURRENT LOCATION AND, OCCASIONALLY, THE ASKER. ALIZA, PERHAPS THE ONLY EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD WHO LOVES BROCCOLI AND LOATHES WHITE CHOCOLATE, ENJOYS WATCHING ROMANCE MOVIES, SLEEPING - BUT ONLY DURING THE DAYTIME - WITH THREE DIFFERENT LAYERS OF CLOTHING ON, AND LAUGHING HER SILVERY SOCKS OFF WHILE BINGING ON SOME GOOD QUALITY BOLLYWOOD COMEDY SHOWS. IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT WHILE WRITING POETRY IN HER LEISURE TIME, ALIZA ALSO WATCHES COUNTLESS SOAP OPERAS ON HER DUSTY LAPTOP AND MUNCHES ON HARIBO BEARS (GO BEARS! - IT'S HER COLLEGE MASCOT!)