When it gets gloomy or rainy out, it’s easy to feel bored when you’re cooped up inside. However, spring is so close which means that the warm weather is coming! Here’s some ideas of what you can look forward to. 

Relaxing on the Memorial Glade 

The glade is such a fun springtime activity. You can play spikeball with friends, tan and listen to music or read. I’ve missed this part of campus because it’s just not the same when it’s cold out. 

Walking to the grocery store 

I love walking down College Avenue to either Trader Joe’s or Safeway when it’s sunny out. Normally, I will walk there and then bus back since I’ll have my hands full of grocery bags. When it’s raining, I bus both ways, but it’s not as fun. College Avenue is such a cute area to walk around and observe the people around you. I love to put on some music or a podcast and get some steps in on the way! 

Hiking

The view at the top of a mountain or hill is so much better when the sky is clear. Also, during spring, there’s an abundance of flowers in nature. On the Fire Trails above Clark Kerr, poppies are in full bloom during peak springtime so make sure to go see them. 

Hammocking

Some good spots to hammock include the Clark Kerr palm trees and the trees surrounding the Glade. Hammocking is a great way to relax in nature. 

Going to an outdoor coffee shop

As I’m sure most of you know, Strada has a cute outdoor area to do work. Also, the Free Speech Movement Cafe on campus has an outdoor space to work with lots of tables and chairs. If you want to switch it up a bit, there’s a really cute outdoor cafe called The Hidden Café that’s just a 20 minute bus ride away from Southside. It’s on the east side of campus closer to Fourth Street. This is a great place to work on a sunny day and see another area of Berkeley! 

Day tripping to Santa Cruz 

Whenever it starts to get warm, I always crave the beach. You could take a day trip to Santa Cruz or Marin County, which is much closer. 

Going swimming 

Clark Kerr has a pool that you can go to during its free swim hours for students. Also, Strawberry Canyon Recreation & Pool can be used during certain weekends when it starts to get warmer! 

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge 

San Francisco is extra chilly, so when it’s sunny you should take advantage of it! You can walk across, run across or even bike across! The views are amazing and it’s definitely something to check off of your bucket list before you graduate. It’s about a 30 minute walk there and back depending on your pace.

It feels like this semester has been extra rainy, but it won’t be for much longer! I hope you use some of these ideas when the sun finally comes out.