BerkeleyOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Indigenous Lands to Spanish Grant

The land that is now Berkeley was originally inhabited by the Chochenyo/Huchiun Ohlone people. Evidence of their presence, such as rock formations used for grinding acorns and a shellmound along the San Francisco Bay shoreline, can still be found.

In 1772, Spanish explorer Pedro Fages led an expedition through the area. Later, in 1820, Luis Peralta, a soldier for the King of Spain, was granted a tract of land known as Rancho San Antonio, which included present-day Berkeley. This area was settled as "Ocean View" in 1853.

The Birth of a University Town

The College of California, founded in Oakland in 1855, sought a new location. In 1866, its trustees gathered on a hillside overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Inspired by the Anglo-Irish philosopher George Berkeley and his line "westward the course of empire takes its way," they decided to name the new town and college site "Berkeley." The University of California was chartered in 1868, taking over the College of California's assets, and its campus in Berkeley opened in 1873. The town of Berkeley was officially incorporated on April 1, 1878.

Berkeley's growth accelerated after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, as thousands of refugees moved across the Bay. This period, from 1907 to 1911, also saw the formation of an art colony in Berkeley. The city continued to expand, and in 1909, the Town of Berkeley became the City of Berkeley. The 1960s marked another turning point, with UC Berkeley becoming a focal point for political awareness and activism, especially with the Free Speech Movement of 1964.

• —Sather Gate — This gateway, built in 1910, marks an entrance to the central campus of the University of California, Berkeley.
• —Sproul Plaza — Designed by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin in 1962, this plaza is a central hub of student activity and a site for protests and free speech movements, including the Free Speech Movement of 1964.
• —Sproul Hall Steps — These steps, part of Sproul Hall, are known as the platform from which Mario Savio delivered speeches during the Free Speech Movement. A small brass marker commemorates them as the "Mario Savio Steps."
• —Telegraph Avenue — This street, stretching from downtown Oakland to the UC Berkeley campus, is known for its counterculture history, shops, bookstores like Moe's Books, and street vendors.
• —California Hall — An example of Beaux-Arts Classical Revival architecture, this building was one of the first constructed under the Phoebe Hearst architectural plan, opening in 1905. It originally housed the university's administration and now contains the Chancellor's Office and Graduate Division.
• —Faculty Glade — A grassy area on the UC Berkeley campus, offering a retreat amidst the academic buildings.
• —Wheeler Hall (exterior) — Built in 1917 and designed by John Galen Howard, this building is a feature of the UC Berkeley campus architecture.

Berkeley has a mild, Mediterranean-like climate year-round, with dry summers and wet winters. The period from late June to late September is suitable for warm-weather activities, with a peak in mid-August. During this time, highs are in the 70s°F (20s°C) and lows in the 50s°F (10s°C), with minimal rain and clear skies.

Spring (April to May) and Fall (October) also offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Fall, particularly September, can be one of the warmest months. Winters (December to February) are cooler and wetter, with average lows around 44°F (6°C) and highs in the mid-50s°F (13°C), and are less favorable for outdoor activities.

Berkeley is connected to the wider Bay Area. Oakland International Airport (OAK) is about 14 miles away, and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is approximately 25 miles distant. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) offers a way to reach Downtown Berkeley from both OAK and SFO. From OAK, an 8-minute elevated railway connects to the Coliseum BART station, where you can board an Orange Line train to Downtown Berkeley. From SFO, take a Richmond-bound train to Downtown Berkeley.

Once in Berkeley, getting around without a car is possible. The city is walkable, and public transportation is provided by AC Transit buses and BART, with three BART stations within Berkeley. UC Berkeley also operates Bear Transit shuttles around campus. A Clipper Card can be used for BART and AC Transit. Street parking is available, but can be busy, especially around the university.