Academic Activities in Berkeley, CA

This walking tour reveals Berkeley as the unsung powerhouse of American food and modern politics. We begin in the North Shattuck neighborhood (formerly the Gourmet Ghetto), where culinary revolutions happened simultaneously. You'll discover how Alfred Peet birthed specialty coffee, the Cheese Board Collective popularized the French baguette, and Alice Waters pioneered farm-to-table dining at Chez Panisse. The tour features five distinct food stops, including the Cheese Board’s cult-favorite vegetarian pizza and Gregoire's famous potato puffs. Next, we explore the UC Berkeley campus, passing through the world’s densest grove of Tasmanian Blue Gum Eucalyptus. We'll admire the towering Campanile and architecture. We'll stand by the Mario Savio Steps and learn how this became the epicenter of the 1964 Free Speech Movement. Finally, we head down Telegraph Avenue and grab a sweet treat as we walk by Rasputin & Amoeba Records before concluding at People's Park, a famous protest site.

Explore the rich history of Peralta Park on this engaging 60-70 minute walking tour through a Berkeley neighborhood once owned by cattle rancher Domingo Peralta. Learn about the early struggles of Spanish explorers and settlers, the impact of the Gold Rush, and how Berkeley arose. Peralta's land inspired the dreams of magnates and ambitious figures like actor Maurice Curtis. See Cordinices Creek, pass by one of Berkeley's grand dames, the Leuders House and end in one of Berkeley's gourmet food supply entrepots, the Monterey Market shopping area! - Guided walking tour covering 5-6 blocks of historical significance - Learn about the rise and fall of Domingo Peralta and subsequent landowners - Discover the effects of the Gold Rush and immigration on Berkeley’s development - Ideal for history enthusiasts and local explorers alike - Follow your tour with an exploration of select fruits, vegetables, pastas, cheeses, pastries, meats, fish and pizza in shops nearby