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There's no place quite like Berkeley. You don't have to be a college student, a liberal, or an intellectual to appreciate and enjoy everything this urban oasis has to offer. With its abundant farmers markets—three each week—unique shopping, noteworthy restaurants, and friendly vibe, Berkeley is a city worth discovering all over again.
SHOP Berkeley Bowl Marketplace is a must-stop haven for foodies. The awe-inspiring selection of produce alone is worth the visit. But if 10 different varieties of locally grown potatoes don’t tempt you, the eclectic array of freshly prepared foods most definitely will. Berkeley Bowl Marketplace; 2020 Oregon St.; 510.843.6929; berkeleybowl.com.
EAT If you already have dinner reservations for the venerable Chez Panisse, look no farther than Berkeley's “Gourmet Ghetto” for lunch. This North Shattuck area is rife with local delicacies. Enjoy live music and a slice of gourmet pizza at The Cheese Board Collective and you'll soon understand why the line was out the door. In the adjacent building you can sample local cheeses and freshly baked bread. Finish with a matcha green tea cupcake from Love at First Bite. The Cheese Board Collective; 1512 Shattuck Ave.; 510.549.3055; cheeseboardcollective.coop; Love at First Bite; 1510 Walnut St., Suite G; 510.848.5727; loveatfirstbitebakery.com.
DISCOVER Located on 34 acres of hills atop UC Berkeley, the UC Botanical Garden is a sprawling live museum featuring over 12,000 different types of plants and flowers. The botanical wonders are grouped by regions and types, including a section of carnivorous plants and the largest collection of native California plants in the world. UC Botanical Garden; 200 Centennial Dr., 510.643.2755; botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu.
STAY Originally built as a castle estate in the Gold Rush era, The Claremont Resort and Spa was turned into a luxury hotel in 1915 and is still a landmark. The beautiful, glowing white hotel perched high in the Berkeley Hills offers gorgeous panoramic views, award-winning cuisine, fitness classes, and relaxing spa treatments. The Claremont Resort and Spa; 41 Tunnel Rd., 510.843.3000; claremontresort.com.
