What is Berkeley like in the summer?
Whether you head back home immediately after your last final of the spring semester or stick around to see the busy streets clear out, the UC Berkeley campus remains, despite being pushed to the back of most students’ minds.
Going into my final year as a UC Berkeley student, I have an even split of summers spent back at home and summers spent in Berkeley. You might have an internship in the area, a job on campus during the summer or in-person classes on campus. Either way, the vibe of the UC Berkeley campus is different during the semester. Here are a few ways to enjoy Cal in the summer.
Find respite in usually busy campus locations
The area around Sather Gate and Upper Sproul Plaza is almost void of students in the summer.
The usual chaos of tabling and other activities on Upper Sproul Plaza at the beginning of each semester is a stark contrast to the quiet peace of main campus locations in the summer. Despite a sparse campus tour group or students grinding away when most are vacationing, the UC Berkeley campus lacks the foot traffic that makes it so busy during the fall and spring semesters.
The seating area in front of Dwinelle Hall is a perfect spot to do homework or read a book on a quiet summer day.
If you have been reluctant to explore campus in the semester because of the busy campus life, try exploring main campus areas during the summer. Upper Sproul and in front of Dwinelle Hall are a completely different experience when they lack the busyness of the regular semester tabling and club recruitment.
The quiet scenery makes way for a perfect photo opportunity, or if you just enjoy viewing the detailed architecture of UC Berkeley campus buildings, the summer is a great time to explore without worrying about all the people around.
Wake up and smell the wildflowers
The UC Berkeley campus has many green spaces, and you can usually find flowers like this all around!
You can find all sorts of flowers popping up around the green spaces on campus. Whether it’s for a cool summer photo op or a relaxing day on the grass, you can admire the flowers growing naturally almost everywhere you go.
Green spaces stretch all around campus buildings. This one in front of the Valley Life Sciences Building (VLSB) has soft grass and trees for shade if it’s a hot, sunny day.
This lawn right along the Strawberry Creek North Fork in front of Valley Life Sciences Building is one of the least crowded green spaces on campus!
Whether you just need a break from the online world or you want to bathe in the sun, these spots are plentiful and peaceful in the summer!
Head up to the top of the Campanile for a summer view of the Bay Area
You can experience a birds eye view of campus atop the Campanile.
If you’ve never been to the top of Sather Tower in your time as a Berkeley student, summer is the perfect opportunity to do so. The Campanile is the second-tallest freestanding clock tower in the world, and you can ride the elevator to the top for free with your Cal 1 Card.
The tower is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. It provides a birds-eye view of campus and one of the best views of the greater Bay Area on a clear summer day.
Best summer picnic spots
The Faculty Glade is set in between the Faculty Club, Hertz Hall, and Stephens Hall.
When you think of picnics, you usually think of a warm, sunny day with a picnic blanket spread out on green grass. Luckily, there are plenty of spots on campus that fit that description in the summer. The Faculty Glade has a nice blend of sun and shade for a nice day out with friends or a relaxing outdoor picnic session. Don’t forget to roll down “4.0 Hill” to have good luck for the semester!
The Undergraduate Academic Building recently opened in May 2026, providing more space for classes and a beautiful exterior green space.
This spot is more for those who enjoy the shade on a hot summer day. The many trees lining the creek next to the brand-new Undergraduate Academic Building provide shade along the grassy area. Since it’s a new area that recently finished construction, many people don’t know about how nice this spot is. You can use that to your advantage to have a quiet picnic day on the southwest side of campus!
Memorial Glade is one of the most iconic green spaces at UC Berkeley. It’s perfect for a nice sunny picnic in the summer!
In a stark contrast to the Undergraduate Academic Building lawn, Memorial Glade is a sun-lover’s dream. The most popular green space on campus is nearly cleared out in the summer, making for a perfect spot to play recreational sports or have a picnic in the sun. While trees line the outskirts of the glade, the sun and tradition of hanging out at Memorial Glade is hard to beat during the summer.
This lawn along Wickson Rd. near the Rausser College of Natural Resources is another main green space on campus.
If you are looking for a mix of the shade and sun, this green space sandwiched between Rausser College of Natural Resources and VLSB makes for one of the most underrated picnic spots on campus. This spot is usually less populated than Memorial Glade on a regular basis, and especially during the summer you will have a plethora of spots to choose from.
Experience summer at UC Berkeley
Even if you aren’t here taking summer classes or busy with an internship, I think every UC Berkeley student should try spending some time on campus in the summer. You’ll be surprised just how different it feels to walk around campus devoid of most students and faculty.
We can often get caught up in exploring and running around the cities in the Bay Area with so much to do, but don’t forget about campus! It can provide a nice moment of peace and an enjoyable time in the sun during the hopefully relaxing summer months.
Ethan Teeguarden, Class of 2027, is majoring in English and minoring in journalism. Cover photo by Ethan Teeguarden.
Want more?
- See Nina’s advice on making friends @ Cal that you can picnic with in the summer!
- Want an internship for the summer? Start here!
- Explore all there is to do around Berkeley in the summer.