Berkeley's central location offers visitors the opportunity for day trips to nearby points of interest.

San Francisco is consistently rated one of the world's top travel destinations. The City by the Bay is fabled for its unparalleled scenic beauty, richly diverse cultural attractions and extensive shopping and gourmet food scene. (12 miles west of Berkeley)

Shopping is abundant in the Bay Area. Visit Union Square in San Francisco (www.unionsquareshop.com), Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek (www.broadwayplaza.com) and Bay Street in Emeryville (www.baystreetemeryville.com). Stores in the Bay Area include Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Saks 5th Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Gap, Banana Republic, Abercrombie & Fitch, Ann Taylor and many discount stores that sell current fashions at reduced prices.

Enjoy a concert at the Greek Theater, located just down the block. Please visit Another Planet Entertainment for event calendar.

The scenic Napa Valley, the heart of the northern California wine country, has also developed into a noted culinary destination. (38 miles north of Berkeley)

From the dramatic Big Sur coastline to romantic Carmel and Pebble Beach to historic Monterey and its diverse peninsula communities, this coastal area offers a rich and complete variety of destinations for visitors. (117 miles south of Berkeley)

The summer months are the perfect time to enjoy the exciting baseball season in the Bay Area. Watch the Oakland A's play at the McAfee Coliseum and the San Francisco Giants play at the AT&T Park. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) (www.bart.gov) is available to transport you to both locations.