Walking around Berkeley – a neighboring city to San Francisco.
Continuing to explore the areas around the bay, this time I found myself in Berkeley with good company – a city known for its eponymous university, one of the best in the world. Situated on the border near the somewhat tumultuous Oakland, Berkeley stands out with its cleanliness, affluent homes, and a considerable presence of young students filling the streets. It was intriguing to wander around in search of interesting details and textures, just as I love to do. The local street art, concrete modernist structures, and the grounds of the renowned institute pleased me with their contemporary architecture. I also enjoyed Normandy Village – a charming adaptation of a European courtyard within American surroundings. Despite being a mere imitation of Europe, these houses were actually built way back in 1927.
The undulating terrain of this city captivated me. Unlike San Francisco, the hills here are higher, and the forests on their slopes are denser. Because of this, some areas are engulfed in sequoias and eucalyptus trees, offering stunning views of the valley from the parks and windows of affluent homes. I must say, they are the best: you can see two bridges right away, including the most famous one, Alcatraz Island, downtown skyscrapers, all caressed by the ocean mists. I'll definitely return here at sunset and perhaps try cycling around. Overall, I've nothing but pleasant impressions of Berkeley.
