Named after the English philosopher George Berkeley, Berkeley is renowned as the home of the University of California. It is also equally famous (or infamous) as a center of dissent -- the students' revolt against the Vietnam War gained momentum here.

Berkeley can be reached by road on the I-80. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains take 30 to 45 minutes to get you from San Francisco to Berkeley. Those wishing to fly can land either at San Francisco International Airport or the Oakland Airport and take connecting train or car rides to Berkeley.

Accommodation in Berkeley is plentiful but not very cheap. For budget travellers, the YMCA is a good bet. Like any other University town, Berkeley is a student-oriented town. Telegraph Avenue with its shops is where the action is, and is worth a visit. Stop by People's Park where the anti-Vietnam clashes took place. For some sailing and windsurfing, go to the Berkeley Marina where you can hire the required equipment. Or just sit back and watch the sunset with the Golden Gate Bridge in the foreground.

There are many reasonably priced cafes and restaurants serving excellent fare -- modern California cuisine as well as food from different parts of the world. Nightlife is exciting and plentiful -- there are many clubs and pubs to choose from, each offering something special -- dance music, jazz bands or author readings. The Pacific Film Archives in Berkeley vies for honor as the best cinema in California and offers interesting fare for viewers.

Banks are open Mon-Fri 9am-3pm. Cash travelers cheques or change your money here. Newspapers are freely available as are magazines. This town has an amazing number of bookstores, so if you are looking for an unusual title, you just might find it here. A post office is located at 2000 Allston Way and is open weekdays 8.30am-6pm. Internet access can be had from any cyber café at reasonable rates. For any tourist information the Berkley Convention and Visitors Bureau at 2015 Center St is open weekdays 9am-5pm. Tel no: 800 847 4823.