<p>Yeah... I've been really busy this summer and I haven't been to my school at all.</p>
<p>I'm going to finally make a trip up to San Francisco Saturday morning and I was wondering, "What am I even going to do up there?" I'm only going to be there through the afternoon and then head back, so I don't have much time.</p>
<p>I want to get acquainted with the place.
What should I see?
What should I do?
Are the dorms open? Will I be able to see the place I'm going to live in?
Are there people there that will help me find my way around?
Can I sign up for classes or events?</p>
<p>I have a lot of stuff to do but don't know what exactly. Help is appreciated.</p>
<p>Take a walk around campus and take a look around. It's really quite a beautiful place, and it's cool to just relax for a bit. You might also want to figure out where your classes are and figure out some quick paths from building to building in case you have back-to-back classes that are far. Go to Barrows Hall and go up to the very top floor - you can see the whole bay for free. Once you get your ID, you can go up the Campanile for free too - the view is breathtaking.</p>
<p>There are currently people living in the dorms (student groups and summer programs and stuff), but if you ask nicely, I'm sure they won't mind letting you in and taking a look. There are tour guides available - just call Visitor Services at 510-642-5215.</p>
<p>You can't sign up for classes (that's all done through TeleBears). Wait till Welcome Week to discover the hundreds of student groups - many of them hold intro events and you can probably get some free stuff out of it (ABSK usually holds a BBQ).</p>
<p>Berkeley food is pretty phenomenal - you will never, ever miss standard fast food after spending a few months here and eating the wonderful food. There are lots of restaurants down Telegraph and surrounding blocks. Since you're only here for one day you won't get to see much, but start thinking about it so you won't have to eat at the DCs all the time (DC food gets EXTREMELY nauseating after a while).</p>
<p>Take a tour of campus. Get acquainted with the city. I'd recommend walking around south side and checking out Sproul Plaza and Telegraph Ave. You can grab a slice of pizza from Blondie's or Fat Slice, or you can grab a burger at Rayleigh's. If you need directions anywhere, just ask someone that looks like a student and s/he'll point you in the right direction. You won't have access to the dorms unless you can find someone willing to let you in.</p>
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You can grab a slice of pizza from Blondie's or Fat Slice, or you can grab a burger at Rayleigh's.
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<p>Cheeseboard or Zachary's are worth the walk for pizza (WAY better than fat slice and significantly better than Blondies), and the Barney's or Bongo Burger (I've heard) are better for burgers . . . although I've never been to Raleigh's for burgers. They have good salads and good pizza. It's pretty good stuff, really, a good place- but nothing food-quality wise compared to some of Berkeley's fare. :)</p>
<p>I was going to recommend Cheeseboard, but the walk is far from south side, which is where the main exploration of Berkeley should take place. Same with Barney's. I think Rayleigh's and Barney's are comparable, though. Bongo Burger isn't as good as either (IMO, only been there once), but it is cheaper than both. Another option closer to the north side of campus is Oscar's, on the corner of Hearst and Shattuck.</p>
<p>It would take a ludicrous amount of time to walk to Zacharay's. If you've got a car, though, I would recommend heading over there. Cheeseboard is on Shattuck between Cedar and Rose. Barney's is right at Shattuck and Cedar (park in the Andronico's parking lot). For Zachary's, take Shattuck north, go through the tunnel and it'll turn into Solano. Zachary's will be on your right.</p>
<p>BTW, if you haven't already noticed, Telegraph is the main attraction on south side and Shattuck is the main attraction on north side. If you're going to live on north side (particularly north-west), then Shattuck is a good place to check out. If you're going to live on south side, then check out Telegraph.</p>
<p>There is a Zachary's on the south of campus, but it is far south. Google maps shows that it's near College and Claremont. I haven't been down to that one, since I live on north side, but I have been to the one on Solano, and that isn't close either. There's basically no way to get to Zachary's without a car or a bus (lucky the 43 passes directly by Zachary's on north side).</p>
<p>Raleigh's burgers are disgusting. I forget, but their buns are of a different sort. Not your traditional bread, not good. If you want something Cal (as opposed to Berkeley), then go for Oscar's on Hearst and Shattuck. It's owned by Cal alumni.</p>
<p>Just wander around campus, climb up to the top of the Campanile tower, check out the main library, Kroeber Museum then a coffee or lemonade at cafe Strada, dinner on southside. Chill out, don't worry about going to the best food place, you'll have tons of time to explore later.</p>
<p>Get an East Bay map, take a drive up bove the stadium to the top of the hill and check out the view, drive out through Tilden to Inspiration Point.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses. I'm at the campus right now. I'm definitely going to check out all the places mentioned. </p>
<p>But, am I missing anything else? I couldn't make it to orientation so are there other things I should be doing instead of looking around and eating food?</p>
<p>Edit: btw, I'm going to live on the south side. No car, unfortunately.</p>
<p>If you have a car and the time, drive down to Fourth Street (you can take Cedar to get there); it is the nicest shopping area by far, with bookstores, Peets coffee, etc. If you want to stay around the university, you might also want to go up to Lawrence Hall of Science, right up the hill from the stadium, and past the Botanical Garden, which also has a fabulous view.</p>
<p>haha nobody ever goes, but I personally still think the best burger I've had in Berkeley was at The Patio, on Dwight&Telegraph.
Bongo Burger's okay; their fries are quite good
Also there's this place further down on Telegraph that's reallllly good, but I have no idea what it's called</p>
<p>FreeStyleKick, there will be some supplimentary stuff for people who missed orientation during Welcome Week. You won't miss aything if you don't want to. :)</p>
<p>Talking to people is good, especially good if they are going to be freshmen with you. Getting a feel for where stuff is on campus is good, and comes over time. Check out an awesome sunset from the top of Barrows or the campinile. I'd say just relax and do what makes you happy.</p>