10 Reasons to Love (and Perhaps to Live in) Berkeley
Three years this summer; that’s how long I have lived in Berkeley. So, as the chillier autumnal air creeps over me’ windowsill, I see no more fitting way to mark this anniversary than with a round-up of what — in no particular order — makes this city so special.
1. UC Berkeley (above right) All university cities are to some extent defined by their colleges. Berkeley happens to have a first-class one to boot. And while we may not be supping with Nobel Prize winners on a regular basis, we, the unassociated, benefit with a vibrant student culture; intellectual pickings day and night; and the general air of a place where wise thoughts are being thought at all times.
2. Tilden Regional Park (above left): Inspiration Point, doggy paradise, walking, cycling and hiking trails, great big gulps of gorgeous Eucalyptus scented air, and views to die for. On your doorstep.
3. Alice Waters: You may only eat at Chez Panisse once in a blue moon, but its owner’s influence, in the Bay Area and across the world, cannot be underestimated. Whether this daughter of Berkeley is transforming our kids’ school lunches or urging us to slow down, it’s all good.
4. Adventure Playground at the Berkeley Marina: This extraordinary place has to be seen to be believed. Equipped with real hammers, nails, saws and paintbrushes, children as young as seven, largely left to their own devices, build the playground of their dreams (rather than have it imposed on them by risk-averse adults). They say the inspiration was found in Europe, but I’ve never seen anything like this there.
5. Berkeley Bowl: No apologies for another foodie entry — it’s one of the reasons we love to live (and nosh) here. This verging on anarchic market is nothing short of superb. The freshest, most delicious produce, much of it local, a huge range of deli goods and great prices ensure it’s frequented by gourmets of all shades — whether home cooks, renowned food connoisseurs or top chefs. And now we’re getting a second one.
6. Moe’s Books: The tragedy is that I can only list this literary institution, the city having bid farewell to several great book stores in the past few years, most notably the much lamented Cody’s. Moe’s has been around since the heyday of the beatniks. Let’s hope it has many more birthdays to celebrate.
7. Berkeley High School (above left): How encouraging that another educational establishment makes the grade. Parents have been known to lie about their place of residence and beg, borrow or steal to secure an out-of-district transfer for their munchkin to attend this highly respected school — which ranks a more than respectable 286th out of 1,300 in America’s Top High Schools list.
8. Tree huggers: OK, so you may not want to spend your days suspended from a giant oak tree growing increasingly smelly. But aren’t you glad there are still people out there willing to suffer for a cause and stand up to The Man occasionally on your behalf? They are inevitably Berkeleyians.
9. Berkeley Repertory Theater: Consistently high standard of productions in an intimate setting. And once in a while they get to show Broadway how it’s done.
10. Peet’s Coffee (above right): Alright already, I know it’s a foodie one again, but surely coffee deserves its own category. And this really is excellent coffee. The stores are always inviting, even if you do have to form an orderly queue for your morning brew, and it’s the one thing Bay Area expats invariably say they miss the most. (Good thing they can order it online.)
That’s it. I fully expect people to disagree with some of my choices and look forward to hearing what theirs would be — if they are inclined to share.
[Photo credits: Tilden -- www.flickr.com/photos/maplebed; UC -- www.berkeley.edu; Berkeley High -- http://bhs.berkeleyschools.org/; Peet's -- /www.peets.com]
Update: Just spotted this rather OTT column on Berkeley Bowl, published in the LA Times today. Hat-tip Eater SF.
