Where to Stay in Berkeley (Best Areas & Places)

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Berkeley

Downtown Berkeley

👉 Best Area For Central Location | ✨ Best Downtown Berkeley Hotels: Hotel Shattuck Plaza • Downtown Berkeley Inn • Residence Inn by Marriott Berkeley

Downtown Berkeley is where most of the action happens for Berkeley residents. While neighborhoods near the university are usually packed with college students, Downtown Berkeley caters to individuals of all backgrounds.

Downtown Berkeley has the widest variety of sports bars, restaurants, cafes, shops, and entertainment in the city. Almost everything is within walking distance, which saves you money on renting a car or using public transportation. Staying at the Residence Inn by Marriott Berkeley or Hotel Shattuck Plaza will put you right in the middle of downtown Berkeley’s most popular streets.

Make new friends by attending a happy hour at one of the many bars and microbreweries in the area. Dine out on Shattuck Avenue or University Avenue, which have some of the best restaurants in Berkeley.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Berkeley Neighborhood:

• Central location
• Plenty of accommodation options
• Abundant public transportation
• Many bars, shops, and restaurants in the area

Cons of Staying in Downtown Berkeley Neighborhood:

• Crowded streets, restaurants, and hotels
• The area can be noisy at night
• Some instances of crime and drug use

Southside

👉 Best Area For Campus Access | ✨ Best Southside Hotels: Berkeley City Club Hotel • The Claremont Club & Spa • Graduate Berkeley

Southside Berkeley is directly adjacent to the University of California, Berkeley campus. This is the best area to stay if touring the campus is your main priority.

Most of the residents and guests in Southside are university students and their families. Here, you will find dorms, student apartments, and sorority and fraternity houses. This neighborhood is a great way to experience lively Berkeley college life. 

Southside Berkeley was initially established to house university students, but it also has some of the best hotels in Berkeley, like my top overall hotel pick, Berkeley City Club Hotel, and the iconic Claremont Club & Spa.

This may be the perfect neighborhood for you if nightlife is high on your list. There are a ton of great bars in the area frequented by students and visitors alike.

Be sure to check out Telegraph Avenue while you’re in the Southside. It spans 4.5 miles from the UC Berkeley campus to the nearby city of Oakland. This is the best spot to shop for souvenirs, check out a record store, or go vintage shopping. It’s an iconic street in Berkeley for a reason!

Pros of Staying in Southside Neighborhood:

• Close to UC Berkeley
• Lively nightlife scene
• Many affordable restaurants and bars in the area
• Quality accommodation options
• Easy public transportation

Cons of Staying in Southside Neighborhood:

• College students can be loud at night
• There is usually traffic in this area
• Very difficult to find parking

North Berkeley

👉 Best Area For Restaurants | ✨ Best North Berkeley Hotels: Aiden by Best Western at Berkeley • SenS Hotel • Sunny Duplex Apartment

North Berkeley is just north of downtown, bordering the northwestern end of the UC Berkeley campus. It’s a mix of long-time residents and graduate students at UC Berkeley.

Some of the best food in Berkeley is here, in an area known as Gourmet Ghetto. It’s the birthplace of California cuisine, with restaurants like Chez Panisse spearheading the sustainable dining movement. Taste premium coffee, rich chocolate, California pizza, and high-quality wine. 

With a small population count, North Berkeley remains an under-the-radar tourist destination with less traffic than other neighborhoods and more accommodation options available. It is within walking distance of the university campus, downtown, and other top Berkeley attractions.

Guests can rent houses and apartments in North Berkeley, like this Sunny Duplex Apartment. However, the area has several affordable hotel options. I’d recommend staying in the SenS Hotel for the best access to Gourmet Ghetto restaurants.

Pros of Staying in North Berkeley Neighborhood:

• Famous restaurants and bars in the area
• Affordable hotels and house rentals
• Much quieter than Southside neighborhood but still close to UC Berkeley campus
• Flat and walkable
• Close to public transportation
• Close to downtown without being in downtown

Cons of Staying in North Berkeley Neighborhood:

• Further from nightlife
• No hiking trails or waterfront

Berkeley Marina

👉 Best Area For Bayfront Views | ✨ Best Berkeley Marina Hotels: Holiday Inn Express Berkeley • Charming Craftsman Cottage • Marina Inn Berkeley

Who doesn’t want a view of the San Francisco Bay while in Northern California? The Berkeley Marina is the best place to stay for pristine bayfront views.

The Berkeley Marina is located in the westernmost portion of Berkeley, where the city meets the Bay. This is a great place for visitors to sit and watch the boats roll in and out of the harbor and to catch a sweet sea breeze. Visitors who stay in the Berkeley Marina neighborhood can enjoy boating, picnics, and close access to public transportation.

If you want to tour the San Francisco Bay, the Berkeley Marina is the best place to catch a boat heading out on the water. I’d recommend staying at the Holiday Inn Express Berkeley, which is just a short ride to the marina, making it easy to get to your boat tour.

The Berkeley Marina is not a fully-fledged neighborhood — it’s mostly parks, boats, and great views. There are a few seafood restaurants on the waterfront, but visitors should head to nearby Fourth Street for more dining options. Fourth Street is full of quaint boutiques and delicious restaurants, and it’s less than 5 minutes from the Marina.

Pros of Staying in Berkeley Marina Neighborhood:

• Best waterfront views in Berkeley
• Kid-friendly activities and parks
• Good seafood restaurants
• Close to Fourth Street for shopping
• Peaceful, quiet, and close to nature

Cons of Staying in Berkeley Marina Neighborhood:

• Not a lot of accommodation options
• Far from Berkeley’s downtown and main attractions
• No bars or nightlife

Berkeley Hills

👉 Best Area For Hiking | ✨ Best Berkeley Hills Hotels: Peaceful Berkeley Hills Studio • Fully Equipped Studio • Mid-Century Modern Gem

If hiking is high on your Berkeley itinerary, then you should consider staying in the Berkeley Hills neighborhood. This area has easy access to hiking trails in the rolling Berkeley hills, as well as stunning views of the San Francisco bay.

Berkeley Hills is removed from most of the hustle and bustle of other busy neighborhoods and provides residents with a sense of peace and quiet. Stay in this neighborhood if you prefer a good night’s rest over sightseeing and nightlife.

Tilden Regional Park is the best place to go hiking around this area. These trails are suited for individuals of all fitness levels. Parks like Indian Rock and Cragmont Rock are very popular for outdoor bouldering. The neighborhood is also perfect for bird watching and spotting wildlife. Make sure to bring your binoculars on your hike for the chance to spot native California wildlife.

The Berkeley Hills is one of the most scenic neighborhoods in Berkeley, but the area is largely residential. There are no large hotels here — rental homes and apartments make up the bulk of the accommodation options. Stay somewhere like this Peaceful Berkeley Hills Studio to feel like a local. Plus, it’s just minutes from the area’s best trails.

You’ll most likely need a car if staying in the Berkeley Hills. There are only a few bus lines that service this neighborhood, and walking or biking up those large hills can be tough!

Pros of Staying in Berkeley Hills Neighborhood:

• Quieter than other Berkeley neighborhoods
• Close to the main hiking trails in the city
• Very little traffic
• Gorgeous views and stunning architecture
• Luxurious living

Cons of Staying in Berkeley Hills Neighborhood:

• Fewer accommodation options are available
• Fewer restaurants in the area
• The neighborhood is suited more for residents 
• Few tourist attractions around
• Very little public transportation

Tips for Staying in Berkeley

Pack for the Weather

Berkeley experiences temperate weather year-round. In most seasons, the weather stays between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s a lovely climate, but the weather can be difficult to predict.

Winters are mild — mostly rainy, no snow. You will want to have a heavy coat with you just in case. In the summertime, days can be chilly if the fog rolls in over the San Francisco Bay. Make sure to always bring a light jacket with you for the evenings.

My best advice is to always pack layers so you stay as comfortable as possible on your trip to Berkeley.

📚 Related Reading: Best Time to Visit San Francisco

Use Public Transportation

Public transportation is readily available in Berkeley, so most visitors don’t even rent a car. This will save you some serious money in the long run.

Take public BART trains to get from Berkeley to San Francisco. Take public buses to get around the city of Berkeley. When in doubt, a rideshare is almost always available!

Fly into Oakland International Airport

Fly into Oakland International Airport when you visit Berkeley. This is the closest area to Downtown Berkeley and will save you money on the commute. You can take the BART train from the Oakland airport straight to Downtown Berkeley station.

Tour the Campus

One of the biggest draws to Berkeley is to visit the famous UC Berkeley campus. You can lounge on Memorial Glade or climb to the top of the Campanile for panoramic views. Walk underneath Sather Gate, or view the gorgeous architecture of the University Library.

Schedule an official tour ahead of time, or simply walk the campus yourself. It’s one of the most beautiful universities in California.

Visit Telegraph Avenue for Souvenirs

Located in Downtown Berkeley, Telegraph Avenue is the best place to buy souvenirs from the Bay Area. They are cheaper here than in nearby San Francisco. Many local artists also sell gifts and handmade items in small street stalls.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Berkeley

What is the best hotel in Berkeley?

The Claremont Club & Spa is the best hotel in Berkeley. It’s luxurious and boasts incredible views. The Berkeley City Club is also one of the best hotels in Berkeley. It’s more affordable, closer to downtown, and has historic architecture.

How do you get around Berkeley without a car?

You can get around Berkeley without a car by taking the BART train or AC Transit public buses. Many visitors don’t bother renting a car in Berkeley because public transportation is so reliable. However, if you stay in the Berkeley Hills, you will need a car.

Where is the best place to live in Berkeley?

Berkeley Hills is one of the best places to live in Berkeley close to nature. North Berkeley is another popular place to live in Berkeley that is close to the university campus. Southside is the best place for students to live.

Is Berkeley a good location?

Berkeley is a great location. It has a bustling downtown, a lively college culture, and it’s only 25 minutes from San Francisco.

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Now you’re ready to book your trip to Berkeley! Thanks for reading my complete guide on where to stay in Berkeley. For more Northern California travel information, check out Laura’s guide to where to stay in San Francisco.

(Featured Image Credit: ZikG / Shutterstock)