Going to Beserkeley

Wow! I like that stuff. However....while style may be mid century, prices are very up-to-date (nt), posted on January 12, 2017 at 15:25:20
Steve O Audiophile Posts: 12383 Location: SE MI Joined: September 6, 2001

RE: Wow! I like that stuff. However....while style may be mid century, prices are very up-to-date (nt), posted on January 12, 2017 at 15:58:13

jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15168
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003

True. Berkeley still seems to be stuck on that age. They have some post art-deco buildings that are ripe to be torn down or made into an historical remnant on Shattuck Avenue. Definitely worth seeing, but I don't think they are quite worth preserving to tell the truth.

I suggest that the OP refrain from too much historical replay and not visit People's Park or, at least, stay outside of the park.

It is a refuse for a few crazy locals now and I made the mistake of saying to myself "Wow. People's Park. This is historical. Let me investigate." Mistake. Mistake. It belongs to crazy people now. You stay on your side and they will stay on their side.

Otherwise, enjoy inexpensive but very good food and very exceptional cafes all over the place. I think they have Music Lover's Audio that carries a bunch of turntables that you may want to see. Nothing too extravagantly expensive though, but not cheap either.

Visit Tilden Park and see a sunset at the Rose Garden, posted on January 12, 2017 at 16:05:26

jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15168
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003

Chez Panisse, never been there, but use to be a go to place.

UC Berkeley campus is beautiful, to me. Kind of cramp, but will give you a good workout walking all over the place. Go up on the Bell Tower, the Campanile, and see the view from above.

Visit both the North side of the campus and the South side of the campus on separate days! Even go all the way to College Avenue after visiting Telegraph Avenue (with the post art deco buildings).

There's a terrific natural vitamin store on Telegraph avenue that you ought to see.

RE: Going to Beserkeley, posted on January 12, 2017 at 16:25:06

mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003

...if you like art, there's the new art museum - http://bampfa.org/

For restaurants there are many terrific ones (yelp or trip advisor ratings) but the on that started a movement is Chez Panisse - try the less expensive cafe upstairs.

But then Oakland is nearby and has lots of great restaurants and a bigger art museum.

No doubt you're flying into Oakland - get tickets for a Warriors game at the colosseum - http://www.nba.com/warriors/tickets/single

RE: Going to Beserkeley, posted on January 12, 2017 at 16:34:34
Inmate51	Hahahahaha! I was actually thinking audio and topless girls, not furniture. :)

Chez Panisse, posted on January 12, 2017 at 18:00:04

Brian Walsh
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 10768
Location: IL
Joined: December 6, 1999

I have not been there but have seen it from the outside. If someone is treating or you have a very flexible business expense account, it might be worth going, otherwise give it a pass.

Lush Gelato, a few doors up the street from Chez Panisse, I'm pretty sure in the same block:
1511 Shattuck Ave.
(inside of Epicurius Garden)
A must if you like ice cream. Trust me! Something in a decadent chocolate is to die for.
Brian Walsh

Watch out, posted on January 12, 2017 at 18:16:15
Awe-d-o-file Dealer Posts: 21037 Location: 50 miles west of DC Joined: January 10, 2004	You might come back with a beard and Birkenstocks...... ET "If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

RE: Don't miss these fine folks, posted on January 12, 2017 at 18:17:40
kitch29	See The Spaces of Color

Birkenstocks (mt), posted on January 12, 2017 at 18:22:49
Rod M Web Geek Posts: 16245 Location: So. California Joined: March 1, 1999 Contributor Since: March 1, 1999	Lots and lots of them. -Rod

Couple of used record stores on Telegraph Avenue, posted on January 12, 2017 at 19:10:34
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26480 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012	Rasputin's and Amoeba. For new classical, there's The Musical Offering on Bancroft Way (kind of across the street from the UC Berkeley campus). Can't help you with the topless girls however.

Ditto on that! Also, make sure to get a selfie up close with the parking meters' holiday schedule--they , posted on January 12, 2017 at 19:26:06
jdaniel@jps.net	renamed all the holidays. ; )

Street view, posted on January 12, 2017 at 20:12:45
Brian Walsh Distributor or Rep Posts: 10768 Location: IL Joined: December 6, 1999	Chez Panisse on the right in this view...brown building with cedar shake siding and greenery. Three buildings to the left with the large rounded archway is Epicurious Garden, which houses several eateries, including Lush Gelato. View here Brian Walsh

RE: Going to Beserkeley, posted on January 12, 2017 at 20:47:45
mkuller Audiophile Posts: 38130 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: April 22, 2003	...take BART to San Francisco - plenty of girlie bars in North Beach.

RE: Going to Beserkeley, posted on January 13, 2017 at 07:21:09

Inmate51

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys!

Shattuck Ave. Telegraph Ave. Yeah, now I'm gettin' pumped on going! Went to Amoeba Music on Telegraph about a year ago. Must go again. (Thanks for the tip on the parking meters!) Have not been to Rasputin's.

I might go to Fantasy Studios again. The manager is a hottie. :) Music Lover's Audio for sure. And there's a little family-run Chinese restaurant which is definitely on the agenda. I have no idea what it's called or how to get there... my friend just says "turn right here, turn left here, park here..."

Yeah, I should ride a BART bus. But I think if we go into SF, I'll drive - to keep my options open. Drove through Golden Gate Park a couple years ago - might do that again.

Any more suggestions? Let me know!

And, no, I'm not flying into Oakland, which is a bummer. It would be the best (and I've done that), but the flight times/availability were goofy this time, so I'm going into San Jose, which I've also done before, so I've got that whole 880 thingy figured out. I'll probably ask the pilot "Do you know the way to San Jose?".

:)

Don't forget Steamworks; it's the coolest concept..., posted on January 13, 2017 at 07:49:44
jdaniel@jps.net	You can take a bath or shower downtown and not have to go all the way back to your hotel to refresh. Don't worry, it's men only.

RE: Don't forget Steamworks; it's the coolest concept..., posted on January 13, 2017 at 08:49:05
Inmate51	"it's men only. " Dang.

I'd still use BART if you can - SF is a very car-hostile city, posted on January 13, 2017 at 09:35:34
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26480 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012	Of course, if you're going to Golden Gate Park, you have to have a car. And the Amoeba store in the Haight is even bigger than the one in Berkeley. When I go there, I usually park at the Kezar parking lot - you can get partial reimbursement on your parking (via a sticker on your ticket - remember to ask for one) at Amoeba.

RE: Going to Beserkeley, posted on January 13, 2017 at 09:49:15
mkuller Audiophile Posts: 38130 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: April 22, 2003	...you are probably better off staying in San Francisco since there so much more to see and do. there. Get a tour of Dolby Labs if you didn't last year.

RE: Going to Beserkeley, posted on January 13, 2017 at 10:32:15
Inmate51	Dolby. Yeah, they don't do public tours. Ya have to know someone on the inside. Bummer. :)

I used to rent the cottage behind The Golden Bear Inn on San Pablo..., posted on January 13, 2017 at 11:06:34
DeKay	when I went to Berkely. Probably too late now, but check it out when you are there (for future trips). It has two bedrooms, a kitchen, and had two parking spaces the last time I was there. Kermit Lynch is across the street, but the bakery (Fannie May sp?) is no longer.

Cross the Golden Gate, posted on January 15, 2017 at 10:02:07
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37666 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	and visit Muir Woods. Peaceful, almost primordial area minutes away from all the traffic.

Follow-up, posted on January 24, 2017 at 08:42:36

Inmate51

Ok, been there, done that. Again!

I really like the Berkeley area. Takes me right back to 1970, has that small town feel, lots of good restaurants, audio history (and current), etc. But, man, the traffic is horrendous, and parking is always an issue.

Saw/did: I thought it would be nice to go to Pixar Animation Studios - they're just a couple miles down the road. Unfortunately, they don't do tours. (Note to self: I seriously gotta get to know someone who can get me into Pixar and Dolby.) Mostly, I hung out with my friend who designs high end phono stages, preamps and amps, and who's name I won't mention because he'll accuse me of name-dropping. :)

The other real treat/highlight was going up to see Siegfried Linkwitz. John and I drove up there on Monday (last week) and Siegfried and his wonderful girlfriend Eike (they have married) were the most gracious hosts you could ever meet. As you probably know, Mr. Linkwitz is an accomplished engineer and audio pioneer (can y'all say "Linkwitz-Riley"?). And, he's a great guy. We talked and listened to music for quite a while. I found myself wishing that I had gotten to know these people a long time ago, but felt good that I've found a new friend.

And, of course, we had to go see Warren at Berkeley Stereo. This guy is so interesting. He was a recording engineer and had his own studio, and now he owns a "vintage equipment" hi-fi shop. Lots of cool stuff there, and, he knows his music recording history. That was a fun visit - you should go there, talk for a while, and buy something.

Lastly, there was Music Lovers, a "high end" audio store. I heard an all-Spectral system driving Wilson Audio Alexia speakers. Very nice! Just to maintain a sense of reality, I played a couple of recordings which I had made. They sounded great (I'm SO relieved!). The sales guy, although understandably hesitant at first while he sized us up, was very nice and helpful. Can't think of his name, but he was of Oriental descent, if that helps anyone who might visit the store.

Oh, and, y'all gotta go to Thai II Noodle on Telegraph Ave. This was my second time there, and it's great.

I'd post a pic of a small poster in the Amoeba Music store, but it's political, so I won't. Suffice it to say that, in Beserkeley, some businesses proudly display their politics.

I had a totally excellent time there! (Again.)

:)

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Going to Beserkeley

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