Out on the Town
Although you may be tempted to rush aross the Bay Bridge to San Francisco's many sites, Berkeley has quite a bit to offer just outside the Claremont's gates. I visited Gourmet Gulch, about a mile or so down the hill. This European-like shopping area is dotted with cafés, flower shops and cheese shops. I had a light lunch at César, famous for tapas. Try the Shrimp Mojo Verde (shrimp with lime, cilantro and jalapeno), or the selection of Spanish cheeses. Next door at Chez Panisse, legendary chef Alice Waters has been serving market-inspired California cuisine since, well, way before it was cool. Just down the road, the Scharffen Berger chocolate factory provides tours with generous samples of the good stuff; make reservations far in advance for this popular tour.
If you must leave Berkeley to explore San Francisco, it is just a few minutes' drive over the Bay Bridge. Or you can park at nearby Jack London Square in Oakland and take the ferry across.
