Originally inhabited by the Ohlone people, Berkeley, California was ushered into the national spotlight as the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement in the 1960s. Berkeley’s history, nature and innovations have made it a beacon of the future for more than a century. The 100,000-plus residents have facilitated the city’s reputation as a renowned center for the arts, political activism, diverse cultural exchange, scientific innovation, and academic achievement.
Berkeley’s K-12 schools have received national and international praise for their innovative and creative curricula. The “Edible Schoolyard” program, which teaches students to farm in an urban setting and cook healthy lunches, has inspired similar efforts in schools all across the country and around the globe. Berkeley’s schools of higher education are also widely known and respected – including the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley City College, and the University of California at Berkeley.
The city offers a wide range of outdoor attractions for residents and visitors. Within the city boundaries are the 2,079 acres of Tilden Regional Park, the UC Botanical Gardens, the Berkeley Rose Garden, and the Lawrence Hall of Science. Shattuck, College, University and Telegraph Avenues are bustling commercial hubs where residents enjoy the unique art and culture Berkeley has to offer. Berkeley hosts countless festivals celebrating local artists, holidays, social movements, and neighborhood cohesion. Above all, Berkeley, like much of the 13th Congressional District, is a place where community comes first.