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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Berkeley

24 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Berkeley, California

Updated January 12, 2023

Unusual Attractions in Berkeley

Berkeley, California

Thornburg Village

A storybook European village in Berkeley.

Berkeley, California

Adventure Playground

A playground built by the kids that is a child's wonderland, and a helicopter parent's nightmare.

Berkeley, California

Tail of the Yak

Handmade treasures from around the world.

Berkeley, California

Fish Shaped House

A private home built to resemble the shape of a microscopic creature.

Berkeley, California

East Bay Vivarium

An amazing collection of fantastic reptiles, amphibians, spiders, and insects.

Berkeley, California

Moe's Books

A shape-shifting buy-sell-trade bookstore, born to Beatnik Era spirit.

Berkeley, California

Takara Sake Museum

The only museum of sake in the United States is nestled in an unlikely California college town.

Berkeley, California

Aftel Archive of Curious Scents

Nose around a unique collection of more than 300 natural aromas used to craft perfume fragrances.

See All 24 Things To Do in Berkeley

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Berkeley

Berkeley, California

Takara Sake Museum

The only museum of sake in the United States is nestled in an unlikely California college town.

Berkeley, California

Cafe Ohlone

This restaurant offers the original California cuisine.

Berkeley, California

Wat Mongkolratanaram

Every Sunday, this Thai temple in Berkeley serves a backyard brunch.

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Stories About Berkeley

Podcast: Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour

A unique Bay Area walking tour led by community historians.

by The Podcast Team

January 12, 2023

The Microscopic Majesty of Sugars, Salts, and Spices

A molecular biologist turned food writer put kitchen staples under the microscope.

October 8, 2020

Acorn Woodpeckers Have Multi-Day Wars, and Birds Come From All Around to Watch

A window into complex avian sociopolitical lives.

September 15, 2020

Edible Book Festivals Are for Pun and Food Lovers

It's been widely celebrated for almost 20 years.

Indigenous Cuisine Is Being Served in the Back of a Berkeley Bookstore

Café Ohlone features traditional recipes and foraged ingredients.

by Richard Foss

Caring for—and Expanding—Berkeley's Hidden Network of Hillside Paths

The California city has over 130 different woodsy shortcuts cutting through its hills and streets.

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