TLDR; It’s all for the ‘gram
Whether you’re a newly admitted student or a student approaching graduation, the urge to take beautiful photos around UC Berkeley’s campus never goes away. Here are some location ideas for your next campus photo shoot!
Sather Tower / Campanile
For my first choice, I had to start out with the iconic Sather Tower (also known as the Campanile). Visible from virtually every part of campus, the clock tower serves not only as a recognizable landmark but also a premier location for an Instagram-worthy photo. A picture with the Campanile, of the Campanile, or from the top of the Campanile is sure to brighten up your feed.
Photo by Student Affairs Communications.
UC Berkeley’s Sather Tower from the Campanile Esplanade by Peg Skorpinski.
Doe Library (Entrance, Morrison Reading Room, North Reading Room)
Next up is Doe Library. The grand entrance to campus’ most famous library doesn’t have to only live on the postcards you may bring back home. The building and its gorgeous reading rooms (Morrison and North Reading Room) can provide an aesthetic to your insta story during a much-needed study break.
Doe Library grand entrance, photo by Keegan Houser.
Morrison Reading Room by Alan Nyiri
North Reading Room by Sandy Cropper.
Valley Life Sciences Building
While not as classical in form as Doe, VSLB still has a quaint library, though what you’re really here for are the specimens and fossils. The massive Tyrannosaurus Rex is certainly worth bragging about, though I’m partial to the smaller displays of moths and beetles.
The impressive VLSB T-Rex.
Hearst Memorial Mining Building
Arguably campus’ prettiest building, Hearst Mining is perhaps the most underrated spot on this list. Both Doe Library and the Campanile are iconic, but Hearst Mining’s architecture begs to be the background of graduation photos, wedding photos, or any other occasion where a spectacular venue is a must.
Hearst Mining by Shashwat Singhal.
4.0 Hill
Sprawling between the wood cabin of the Faculty Building and a small stretch of Redwoods, 4.0 Hill is the aptly named outdoor study spot for those reaching for the highest level of achievement, and the site of one of the many traditions on campus: rolling down the hill for good luck! Additionally, the archway and bridge in front of the hill are gorgeous and worth stopping in to watch the creek below bubble past.
The Faculty Glade, or 4.0 Hill.
Cherry Blossoms
Though sadly only a seasonal occurrence, the cherry blossoms that bloom around campus, most notably by University Drive and the Valley Life Sciences Building, are irresistible Instagram material. The gorgeous flowers don’t stick around forever, so be sure to take a picture of them while you can!
Photo by Student Affairs Communications.
Macchi Bears
As you might expect, campus is full of bears of wood, stone, and bronze. But my favorites are on the North side of campus, where the two Macchi bears lie before another grand view of the Campanile. Here, between the brand new Grimes Engineering Building and McLaughlin Hall, the tables offer a less crowded workspace with the beautiful company of these twin ursines.
The Macchi Bears.
Sather Gate
Last but certainly not least is UC Berkeley’s most famous gate: Sather Gate. The site of sports rallies, club recruitment, political activism, and much more is not only campus’ most trafficked walkway but also an absolute must for big-occasion photoshoots like graduation or a celebratory I-finished-finals selfie. Sather Gate is certainly an old reliable when it comes to a spot for your Instagram feed.
Sather Gate photo by Student Affairs Communications.
Have Fun!
This marks the end of my list of Instagrammable places around campus, but there are so many more Instagrammable spots to be discovered! Come take a tour or explore new parts of campus, so you can find new favorites beyond the scope of this list. Or, check out our Instagram @ucberkeleylife to see even more Instagrammable places.
Updated by Vincent Vidana, Class of 2026, majoring in English and minoring in rhetoric. First published by Lucas Yen, Class of 2022, Political Economy major.
Want More?
- A list of spring instagrammable places around campus
- Discover hidden study spots.
- Find a favorite fall photo spot.
- Explore around Berkeley or travel further to check out the Bay.