Springtime is absolutely a lovely time of year in Berkeley, where towering redwoods, spreading coast live oaks, native shrubs and flowers near a meandering stream, and the majestic Eucalyptus Grove add a touch of nature to the UC Berkeley campus, which is filled with great architecture spanning 150 years. On our leisurely stroll around the university we will view a diverse array of classic and modern buildings, some controversial, others sublime, offering hikers an overview of “visible history” manifested in architecture. One of the highlights will be the works of Berkeley master architects who also did work in Woodland. 

Before we stroll into the campus, we will begin the tour by visiting the Downtown Berkeley Arts District which consists of an impressive hub of theaters and music venues developed in recent years. We will explore the Addison Street “Poetry Walk” and read some of the poems memorialized in 128 cast iron poetry panels embedded in the sidewalk. They were selected by Berkeley’s own Robert Hass, a former American poet laureate. There are several well-preserved historic structures in the Arts District and noteworthy modern architecture. From there it’s a short walk to the University campus, passing by the sleek Berkeley Art Museum, an adaptive reuse of an Art Deco building joined with a sleek, stainless steel modern addition. 

Strolling around the UC campus we will view tasteful contemporary buildings and an array of historic architecture by luminaries like Julia Morgan and Bernard Maybeck, William Wurster, and the great UCB principal architect from the early 20th century, John Galen Howard. Hiking through Sather Gate in into Berkeley’s south campus neighborhoods we’ll explore other historical landmarks. We will finish this tour by early afternoon in time for lunch. There are many restaurants to choose from on the edge of the campus along Telegraph Avenue, filled with artisan craft displays, record stores, and clothing shops. 

Historian and writer David Wilkinson will lead the tour. David has studied Berkeley’s architecture in depth and will be publishing a new book on Woodland architecture and public art later this year. What a grand and inspiring day awaits all intrepid participants in the beautiful surroundings of Berkeley!   

Participants will gather at the Woodland Presbyterian Church, 1324 Columbia Drive, at 7:30 a.m. for a 7:45 a.m. departure, following sign-in, a hike overview and carpooling arrangements.  Hikers will drive to the El Cerrito Del Norte BART station (free parking and restrooms) to catch a train a few stops to the Downtown Berkeley station. The tour will begin at approximately 9:45 AM at the top of the Downtown Berkeley BART station on Shattuck Avenue. The hike, on relatively flat terrain, will cover about 3 miles. For more information, call or text David at (916) 712-9461 or davwilk@pacbell.net. 

The Woodland Outdoor Wanderers is a community-based organization open to all, and dedicated to introducing Yoloans to their natural and cultural environments, and to each other.  For more information  email kathyjtrott@gmail.com

Upcoming 2026 Hikes

April 18: Buttermilk Bend Trail - South Yuba River State Park

May 16: John Muir State Park - Mount Wanda, Martinez