Bay Area Public Transportation
If you're debating whether to bring your car this summer, know this: you don't really need it. The public transportation in Berkeley, which extends throughout the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, is efficient and inexpensive. Buses and subways, trains, and ferry boats are just some of the forms of transportation available to take you where you want to go. 511.org offers a more comprehensive listing of Bay Area public transit systems.
AC Transit is the bus system serving Alameda and Contra Costa counties (Berkeley is in Alameda county), with some service to San Francisco. All Summer Sessions students will receive a free Class Pass for AC Transit, providing unlimited use all summer long. The Class Pass is a sticker to be placed on the official Student Photo ID card, issued at the beginning of each session. For route information, call AC Transit at (510) 891-4700.
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is the Bay Area's subway system which connects Richmond, Concord/Bay Point, Fremont, Dublin/Pleasanton, and San Francisco/Colma/Daly City. It operates from 4 a.m. to midnight weekdays, 6 a.m. to midnight Saturdays, and 8 a.m. to midnight Sundays. From the Berkeley station, BART can take you right into the heart of San Francisco in about 25 minutes! Call (510) 465-2278 for rates and schedules, or simply visit the downtown Berkeley BART station at Shattuck and Center streets.
The Alameda/Oakland Ferry leaves from Jack London Square in downtown Oakland and crosses the bay, stopping first at the Port of San Francisco and then at Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf. To get to Jack London Square, take BART from Berkeley to the 12th Street station; transfer to an AC Transit bus, or walk west on Broadway about 10 blocks until it dead-ends at Jack London Square. Signs will direct you to the Ferry terminal; call (510) 522-3300 for rate and schedule information.
MUNI is the network of buses, cable-cars, and Metro rail lines that serves San Francisco. For route and fare information, visit the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency website.
Parking
For those who bring a car, there are many student lots located within a short walking distance of campus. Look for signs clearly labeled 'S' for Student permits. To park in the 'S' lots, you will need to purchase and display a Student Daily Permit (plastic hangtag) along with a daily permit ticket. Ask about the Parking Value Card when you buy your permit; a pre-paid amount can be stored on the card which you can then use at the machines. Overnight parking is not permitted, and rates are subject to change. Please observe all posted signs and restrictions. Maps showing the location of student lots are available at campus entrance kiosks and at the Parking & Transportation Office, 2150 Kittredge Street, First Floor. Call (510) 643-7701 or e-mail (prktrans@uclink.berkeley.edu) for more information.
You may also check the Parking & Transportation website for up-to-date information.
Biking and Walking
Don't worry about parking expenses or tickets - commuting to and around campus by bike or by foot is a healthy, inexpensive, and reliable form of transportation. The Parking & Transportation website has information on where to park your bike, safety tips, and provide biking and walking maps.
The Student Bike Cooperative, BicyCAL seeks to make the quality of student life better by giving students affordable, environmentally sustainable, and increased access to bicycles.
The City of Berkeley also provides bicycling and walking maps.
East Bay Bicycle Coalition works for safe, convenient and enjoyable bicycling for all people in the East Bay.
Transportation from Airports
Information on transportation from San Francisco International (SFO) or Oakland International Airport (OAK) can be found at their respective websites.