South Berkeley - Berkeley, CA Area Guide

The development of Berkeley began as a result of the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. City residents fled to the East Bay to escape the destruction of the quake and rebuild their lives. The area continues to be built up to this day, but you can find many 20th-century homes still standing--and occupied--to this day.

Many young, liberal, left-wingers call South Berkeley home, and many of them have led protests and demonstrations over the years in an effort to bring about change and political reform.

You won't find any museums in South Berkeley, but you will find an active, vibrant arts scene. Many local artists participate in year-round shows and pop-up events, which are primarily free and open to the public. You can also attend cook-offs and live music performances in artists' own spaces.

The Berkeley Shakedown Street Festival occurs yearly on Shattuck Street in South Berkeley.

South-of-the-border cuisine feature heavily in South Berkeley, which is home to many Mexican restaurants as well as restaurants featuring flavors of the American South.

Located just a few blocks north of the Ashby BART station, on Adeline Street, is Flacos, a tiny, easy-to-miss hut of a restaurant serving up vegan Mexican food. Veg-heads and omnivores alike give Flacos four stars for their to-die-for tamales. You can get one of these meat-free babies in either a banana leaf or a traditional corn husk, but most customers recommend trying the banana leaf.

Take your taste buds on a trip to Louisiana with a stop at Easy Creole, on Alcatraz Street. Easy Creole dishes up Southern American classics like cornbread, chorizo and beans, gumbo and etouffee. The menu changes daily and often features several vegetarian options. Yelpers have a hard time agreeing on a favorite dish because everything ranks highly.

At night, locals can grab a late dinner, have a glass of beer at a local pub or drop in for a yoga class at one of several nearby studios. The area also contains several lounges and art and music venues.

The Starry Plough on Shattuck Avenue is an East Bay institution. This classic Irish-style pub, founded in 1973, serves great beer and just as good greasy comfort food. Customers also enjoy the nightly music, performed by local Bay Area artists.

People navigate South Berkeley by foot, bicycle, car or bus. AC Transit bus line services the area extensively, and the Bay Area Rapid Transportation Authority (BART) delivers people into and out of South Berkeley. The nearest BART station is at Adeline Street and Essex Street.

Hailing a cab is tricky in South Berkeley, so call ahead if you need one. Uber, which services the area, is another option.

Parking is easier in South Berkeley than in certain other parts of Oakland. You can find parking on many side streets, in lots and at meters. However, there are several sketchy areas in South Berkeley, so if you park on the street, be mindful of your surroundings.

California State Route 24, or Grove Shafter Freeway, is the closest expressway. You can reach it by driving south on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Shattuck Avenue or Telegraph Avenue.

South Berkeley is walkable, but use caution, as some areas have higher incidents of crime. If biking, you should also use caution. Certain roads have designated lanes, but others do not.

The closest parks to South Berkeley include Willard Park, San Pablo Park and Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, all of which offer free entry and are located just outside the neighborhood boundaries. All parks are dog-friendly.

Willard Park and San Pablo Park contain tennis courts, play structures and grassy areas, perfect for children, families and active people. On San Pablo Park's 13 acres you can also find ball fields and a rec center. The large area is great for runners, too.

Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park is the smallest of the three parks. Here, you will find a historic fountain and open grassy area, which is home to the weekly farmers market and many festivals.

Every Christmas, just before its Christmas parade, South Berkeley hosts a 5K run/walk. People get into the holiday spirit by dressing up in their most festive garb. All proceeds from this well-attended event benefit the Berkeley Humane Society.

Compared to rent costs in other areas in Oakland, South Berkeley ranks about the same, if not slightly lower. A one-bedroom averages $2,054.80 per month.

A bus ride costs approximately $2, and BART costs anywhere from $1.85 to $5, depending on where you're going to or coming from. Public transportation is very efficient and services the area extensively.

For a pint of beer at a local bar, you can expect to pay about $6. Gas in the area hovers around 12 percent higher than the national average.

You won't find any major shopping areas in South Berkeley but you will find a treasure trove of secondhand, consignment and antique shops sprinkled along major streets such as Shattuck and Telegraph Avenue. These shops are especially popular among the neighborhood's hipster population. California Historical Design, just a block north of Ashby BART, sells high-end antique furniture, metalware and pottery dating from the 1900s to the 1920s. California Historical Design sells pieces exclusively from America's Arts and Crafts Movement. Owner Gus makes you feel at home and is eager to share his vast knowledge with you. The store regularly features exhibitions of work as well. After your visit to California Historical Design, walk across the street to Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles. This store is a dreamland for anyone who is into textiles, needlework, threads and the like. You can purchase materials and supplies at this truly unique store. Lacis also sells many antique trimmings. If you're new to the whole do-it-yourself thing, Lacis offers classes and can create custom pieces for your exact needs. Several smaller grocery markets feed the people of South Berkeley, but the main grocery store is Berkeley Bowl, located at Adeline and Oregon Street. Berkeley Bowl is known for its jaw-dropping selection of fresh, largely organic produce and bulk section. For that hard-to-find grain or that obscure herb, Berkeley Bowl is your place. On Tuesdays, stop by the South Berkeley Farmers' Market for a taste of what's in season.