We’re kicking off a new series here on the TBG: The Berkeley Bucket List (BBL).
The theme is pretty self-explanatory. Each week, we’ll be suggesting events/places/general shenanigans that every Berkeley grad student should experience before leaving the beautiful Bay Area.
This week we’re starting off with the Botanical Gardens. We’re having an Indian Summer this year, so why not go and enjoy the beautiful weather with a stroll through our local botanical gardens. The Gardens are organized by geography, allowing you to visit Southern Africa and Asia within fifteen minutes (map). There are a few highlights keep in mind when you make your trip up there. Currently, there are newts being featured in the Japanese Pool in the Asia part of the park. These laid back amphibians are as adorable as they are lazy, so take a step back from the grad school grind and take a glimpse of what life is like for a newt. Other interesting stops include the Arid House, featuring hundreds of species of cacti, and the Greenhouse, which has its very own bee hive. Or if plants aren’t really your thing, the Gardens are nestled in the hills, so you get a great glimpse of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.
The gardens are free for all current Cal students and $9 for non-Cal adults. Hours are 9-5pm daily and entry stops at 4:30. It’s just past the Fire trail, behind the Coliseum. There’s a parking lot across from the Gardens and a gift store if you want to bring a piece of the Gardens home. Beware though, there are strict rules against handling or picking any of the plants; be a good Samaritan and refrain from eating your way through Gardens… More info here
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