As someone who’s lived in southern California all their life, my first ever exposure to the East Bay was the city of Emeryville (where my hotel was when I went to Cal Day). During my weeklong stay, I got to do some exploring, so I’d like to invite you to spend a day in Emeryville with me. 

How to get there

First things first, we have to get there before we start our journey, of course! I’ve found that it’s actually quite easy to get to Emeryville from campus: The F bus and the 36 bus each respectively take you directly to Emeryville Bay Street! Now that we’ve made it, here are some of my favorite spots in Emeryville.

Emeryville Bay Street

Starting off strong, we have Emeryville’s outdoor shopping mall — Bay Street! From entertainment like Sandbox VR and AMC Theatres to retail stores like Uniqlo and Levi’s, you certainly have a ton of options to choose from at Bay Street! They also have a variety of food options to satisfy your cravings like Uchiwa Ramen and the soon-to-be-opening Shake Shack. For all my booklovers, they even have a Barnes & Noble with a cafe!

Ikea

My next recommendation has got to be Ikea! Located just a few minutes away from the Bay Street bus stop, Ikea is an amazing stop for those of you looking to add some touches to your home decor collection. Personally, I like walking around (and getting lost) in the showrooms envisioning what my room/house could look like. Plus, who can say no to a plate of Swedish meatballs and $1.50 ice cream to end the trip?

Emeryville Marina

Looking for a place with astonishing views of the Bay? With scenic walking trails and a harbor, the Emeryville Marina is definitely a place worth checking out for all you sightseers! I also highly recommend bringing warmer clothes, especially during these windy and rainy conditions. Emeryville is certainly windier and colder than Berkeley because of its closer proximity to the Bay. 

Denny’s

One thing I’ve noticed when moving to the Bay Area is that stores here close fairly early compared to in southern California. So, if you find yourself losing track of time in Ikea or at Bay Street and are still looking for a place to eat, Denny’s (open 24 hours) has always got your back! For all my high school drama/theater friends, it can be like a blast to the past to times when your cast finished performing in the play. However, I don’t recommend staying at Emeryville too late as buses stop cycling after a certain time. From personal experience, I remember when my group of friends and I had to Uber back after watching “Cocaine Bear” and eating at Denny’s until past midnight.

All in all, if you’re staying here in Berkeley for spring break and are looking for something new to do, I highly recommend checking out Emeryville if you haven’t already! It’s super easy to get to, not too far of a commute and definitely worth visiting at least once in your time here at Cal.