<p>I usually like shopping at Ralphs but there doesn't appear to be any in Berkeley. I was wondering if there are any good larger markets like Ralphs near campus? I'm not really into organic/vegetarian markets and I don't have a car so I can't go very far.</p>
<p>You can walk south of campus to Andronico’s at Telegraph and Derby. Upscale- maybe a bit more than Ralph’s - prices will be slightly higher, but not that much. Walk west of campus on University to Trader Joe’s at Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Further afield, north of campus there is a Safeway on Shattuck at Rose (Safeway is very similar to Ralph’s) And the two best markets of all in Berkeley are Berkeley Bowl - closest would be Shattuck & Oregon, and Monterey Market at Hopkins & Monterey - but both of them are more like a bike ride, or bus ride - or a long walk from the dorms. If you’re from Southern California you need to get used to the idea that it actually IS possible to get around Berkeley by bus, and the Bay Area by public transport. You do not need a car.</p>
<p>There’s a Safeway just past College and Alcatraz. It’s about 1.5 miles away from campus. The 51B will drop you off across the street from it should you be coming from campus.</p>
<p>I’m actually from LA and have a hard time imagining myself using the bus to get around everywhere. But I do hear you can pretty much get around anywhere by bus in Berkeley. </p>
<p>I’ll be living southwest of campus, around bancroft & shattuck. Berkeley Bowl looks pretty good (great reviews) and it’s pretty close to where I’ll be living. </p>
<p>Thanks for the info!</p>
<p>It depends where you live, but my food came from Safeway on Shattuck avenue and Rose street. But yes, as SpiritManager mentioned, Berkeley Bowl is a very popular place for those who live on Southside. It is an organic market (and extremeley fresh), and there is no ripoff for being local and such.</p>
<p>Trader Joe’s at MLK avenue is a downright disappointment. There are only a handful of products that are less expensive than Safeway and unless you have an obsession for newly-opened place (that location was opened in 2010), any person would choose Safeway over Trader Joe’s at MLK.</p>
<p>andronicos is freakin over priced</p>
<p>lol go to andronicos if you feel like you have way too much money to spend. and the bus is a hassle if you need to buy groceries unless you want to limit yourself to whatever you can carry in two hands. Also a car is so nice. For today for example. With summerthing and pride parade going on…a car >>> BART. Good god. I’ve been touched in places I myself have never touched during the BART ride.</p>
<p>^Sounds like my kind of BART ride. ;)</p>
<p>^^ Sounds fun, can’t wait for the Fall now <_>!</p>
<p>haha, you’ll only get gropey full bart cars a few times a year. Definitely during pride, the big game (home games only), bay to breakers before they banned floats and alcohol, halloween going to castro.</p>
<p>MUNI was ridiculous yest too. I had a guys butt to my face all the way down the N yesterday due to how crowded it was. i just prayed he never felt the urge to let one rip. i didnt really know where to look since i couldnt rotate my head from where i was standing. talk about awkward.</p>
<p>If you’re feeling really flush, there’s a Whole Paycheck, I mean Whole Foods on Telegraph & Ashby, a bit down the street from Andronico’s. And don’t forget the weekly farmer’s markets. There are a number, and some of the vendors only go to some of them. Berkeley Bowl is amazing, but it can be a bit overwhelming with the number of choices. Prices are good. There is also a Trader Joe’s at Claremont & College; never been to the one @ MLK. I prefer TJ’ to Safeway, esp. for yogurt, butter, prepared food, etc.</p>