The area south of the University of California’s Berkeley campus is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood. Telegraph Avenue boasts an eclectic mix of cafes, bookstores, record shops and street vendors. Residential streets include a number of homes designed by Julia Morgan and Bernard Maybeck along with a variety of brown shingled cottages, Victorians, bungalows and student apartments.

The Elmwood district, bordering Oakland to the south, boasts traditional architectural styles and the popular commercial district of College Avenue. Don’t miss Bolfing’s Elmwood Hardware Store, which has served residents for 80 years, ICI ice cream (made on site), the Elmwood Theater which plays independent and foreign films and the popular cafes and restaurants that line the street.

The Claremont, a district that is shared by both Berkeley and Oakland, contains many grand homes built after the 1906 earthquake along with more modest homes and bungalows. This neighborhood also has a high concentration of stairways and pathways connecting streets and neighborhoods to one another. (see www.berkeleypaths.org).

The Ashby BART station provides an easy commute from these neighborhoods and also hosts a regular weekend flea market. Nearby, on Oregon near Adeline, the Berkeley Bowl is known for its amazing selection of fresh produce along with other grocery items.

Learn more in local newspapers: Berkeley Voice, Berkeley Daily Planet, East Bay Express.