Recommended Hotel: Berkeley City Club
Why: Best Rates, Parking Available, Indoor Pool
For the best value in Downtown Berkeley we recommend the Berkeley City Club over Hotel Shattuck Plaza. The Berkeley City Club has an average rate of $180/night. They also offer parking, which the Hotel Shattuck Plaza does not. Some guests think the Berkeley City Club (designed by Julia Morgan) is really charming and historic, while others find it dated. A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning in the second floor breakfast room. The indoor pool is one of the most beautiful hotel pools in San Francisco. We recommend the Berkeley City Club to travelers looking for great amenities and affordable rates.
Neighborhood Vibe: Downtown Berkeley sits just north of Oakland near both the city and preserved natural areas. The name Berkeley historically conjures up images of hippies, tie-dye, college students, progressive politics, and protests. While that culture and social change remain a constant part of the area’s heritage, the area is home to all types of people and activities. 
Getting Around: Getting to Downtown Berkeley from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) takes 55 minutes and you can arrive there from Oakland Airport in only 23 minutes. To reach downtown San Francisco, it will take about 25 minutes. 
What to Eat: Telegraph Avenue is a great area to stop for a bite to eat, while the Fourth Street is the best area for shopping. Pick up some new music at the original Amoeba records. Or go on a foodie tour of the Gourmet Ghetto and grocery shop at Berkeley Bowl. If you’re in the mood for pizza, you’re in luck as the Cheeseboard Collective is arguably one of the best pizza places in all of the Bay area. 
Things to Do Around Civic Center: Tilden Regional Park and Wildcat Canyon Regional Park are both great options for hiking and birding. In Tilden, the scenic view along the Seaview trail of the reservoir features views of the East Bay Hills and the Bay. Berkeley’s Historic Rose Garden showcases more than 250 rose varieties and over 3,000 rose bushes. Plus, one of the best views in the city is from the top of Campanile on the UC Berkeley campus. At 328 feet, it’s the world’s third tallest bell and clock tower. 
