About Berkeley
Situated on the Eastern Shore of the San Fransico Bay, Berkeley is home to the oldest campus in the University of California system and is considered one of the most socially liberal cities in the country. Long, warm summers and short, cold, and wet winters are commonplace here.
Berkeley is a thriving art and philosophy hub. The city has a relatively young population when compared to the rest of the country. This means it’s first to trends, high on energy, and every now and then you’ll find yourself partaking in some weird college tradition.
Berkeley also has a booming food scene, delicious wine, a booming craft-brew culture, and a whole platoon of art, culture, and history aficionados. From beautiful marinas with lovely sailboats to dramatic gardens home to exotic flora, there’s a lot to do and explore.
Events Options in Berkeley
An event celebration requires plenty of foresight and preparation. Whether it’s the big things like venue and theme or the smaller things like decor elements and photographers, a lot of planning needs to go into it. Depending on the type of event you’re putting together, you can be sure that Berkeley has plenty of options that cater to your needs.
Speaking of catering, Berkeley’s stunning food culture provides access to some of the best caterers in California. From gourmet menus to traditional recipes, you can take your pick amidst Berkley’s vibrant food scene.
Modern events require modern solutions. From lighting and sound to stage presence and VR platforms, A/V equipment rentals will help add to the modernity of the event being hosted. There are plenty of options in and around Berkeley to help with this.
Nothing sets the tone for an event like its ambiance and decor. A fully immersive setting allows guests to indulge in your event. A huge list of decorators service the Berkeley area so finding what you need should be as easy as counting from one to ten.
Berkeley has several car-sharing networks such as Uhaul Car Share and Zipcar that allow members to share a group of cars nearby. Not only will this help you manage any parking problems, but it’s also a greener way to travel.
Event Companies in Berkeley
Hiring a professional event company to take care of the details is the way to go while organizing any scale or type of event. Hiring these professionals allows you access to their network and contacts, which will go a long way in making your event unforgettable.
- Slippery Fish Catering & Events
If delicious food and irresistible menus are a core part of your event, then Slippery Fish Catering & Events is fully equipped to do the job. Not only will the chefs completely take care of your culinary needs, but the event services teams can offer a range of support from full event planning to basic consultation giving you flexibility on pricing and presence.
A full-service event planning and catering company, Jane Hammond Events is all about bringing your dream event to life while minimizing any environmental impact. A company with a dedicated ‘go green’ approach since its inception in 1975, the team has hosted all types of events including corporate celebrations, product launches, reunions, political events, and holiday parties.
- Verducci Event Productions
If you’re in the market for a technology-led, high-octane event, then you’ll love the folks at Verducci Event Productions. Whether you’re looking at making stunning videos to promote your event, live stream it, or simply creating an out-of-the-world experience, the team has you covered. With clients such as Facebook, Coca-Cola, Google, and Apple, this event production company is known for creating memorable events.
Pros and Cons of Events in Berkeley
Advantages
- Mild weather all year round
- Vibrant arts & music science
- Diverse culture and population
- Focus on local, homegrown food
- Considered a healthy city to live in
Disadvantages
- Everything is costly
- It’s a college town, may reduce choices in terms of professional services
- Higher crime rates than those in other dense urban areas
- Not all will be in agreement that marijuana is legal
Famous Locations in Berkeley
- University of California Botanical Garden
Founded in 1890, this 34-acre garden space is home to more than 10,000 plants from nearly every continent and provides some of the most picturesque views in the entire city. Ideal for leisure walks, walking through the trails here will make you feel like you’ve stepped on foreign soil. There’s also an amphitheater here that is used as a venue for summer concerts.
- Berkeley Art Museums and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA)
UC Berkeley’s center for visual arts research, BAMPFA is home to over 23,000 artworks and 17,500 videos and films. The film library contains books on film history, movie magazines, recorded interviews with filmmakers, and a whole bunch of archives of the times gone. The venue also hosts performances, films, and hosts temporary art exhibits. Book a light filled meeting room near BAMPFA for your next artsy event.
The Berkeley Marina comprises the city marina, a waterfront area, and more than 100 acres of parkland. With panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay Bridges, Angel Island, and Alcatraz, there are gorgeous pictures waiting for all visitors here. The park also comprises the ‘Adventure Playground’, ranked among the top 10 playgrounds by Nat Geo, and the Shorebird Park, known for its bird-watching hotspots.
