With less than a week until the first summer session, a lot of us are already thinking about all the things we’re going to do in our free time between classes. We know you’ll be busy, but if you still have the itch to travel during summer school, then we at the Clog have a couple suggestions for you so you can take a day or weekend trip.
In Berkeley:
1. UC Botanical Gardens
Take the free shuttle that stops at Hearst Mining Circle up to the botanical gardens, where you can view more than 13,000 different types of plants from all over the world across 34 acres of land. Year-round from Thursday through Sunday, you can go on a free tour of the gardens. Don’t forget to get tickets to the summer concert series at the gardens that begins in early June.
2. Berkeley Marina
Catch the 51B all the way to the Berkeley Marina where you can take a boat ride or go on a run during the sunset. On a clear day, the pier offers an amazing view of the the San Francisco skyline along with the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge. The marina is the site of various summer events including the Kite Festival and Fourth of July events. Also, don’t forget Cal Sailing Club’s open days, when they provide free boat rides to the public from 1-4 p.m.
3. Lawrence Hall of Science
Make the trek all the way up to the Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley’s public science museum and research center. Take in the great view of San Francisco Bay from the very top, where you can even see as far as Alcatraz. There’s quite a view of interesting exhibits that the museum has to offer, including a planetarium, animal discovery room and an attraction where you can build your own robot.
If you have a car:
4. Monterey
Located about two hours away by car, Monterey offers a wealth of ideas for day or weekend getaways, including the Monterey Bay Aquarium, 17-Mile Drive, Garrapata Beach, whale watching or the Old Fisherman’s Wharf. Wherever you go in Monterey, you’re guaranteed to see some beautiful vistas of the Pacific coast. The city itself is fairly walkable and filled with interesting tokens of California history.
5. Point Reyes
Point Reyes is just a 90-minute car ride away. It’s a beautiful meeting place of land, water and wildlife. Visit the Point Reyes National Seashore, the elephant seals at Point Reyes Lighthouse or the hiking trails. You can even take a nature safari at the Tule Elk Preserve. Point Reyes is breathtaking with gorgeous sweeping views wherever you go. There’s an abundance of trails and parks to explore. This is the best getaway for anyone who loves nature.
6. Mount Tamalpais State Park
Take a hike to the top of Mount Tamalpais in Mill Valley, California, just 40 minutes away by car. Mount Tamalpais is the tallest peak in Marin Hills and often serves as a symbol of Marin County itself. The views of the bay on a clear day are absolutely stunning. There are various trails and hikes to choose from and your stay at the park can become a weekend vacation as there are camp sites located throughout. Like Point Reyes, this is another paradise for outdoorsy folks.
