Our Favorite Places Near the Berkeley Marina
How often do you get out into the open to swim?
If you have joined Odyssey Open Water Swimming on a weekly Berkeley swim, then you have visited the Berkeley Marina in Berkeley, California. Several times a week (once in the winter), Odyssey hosts swims at the Berkeley Marina, unless the tide is low and we need to switch to an alternate location. It’s our favorite place to swim and it feels like our home away from home.
Swimmers come from around the world to join Odyssey on swims, including our world-famous Alcatraz swims. Since we do have swimmers join from out of town, we wanted to share with the swimming community our favorite places near and around the Berkeley Marina.
We asked our team what their favorite places around the Berkeley Marina are, and have provided their thoughts below to help you make the most of your next visit to Berkeley.
The Odyssey Team’s Favorite Places Surrounding the Berkeley Marina and What They Love About the Area
Jeff Collins:
“Jogging around the entire area is so nice. I do this regularly as a supplement to swims. It's just a very nice, calming place to run. For those who don't know the immediate area, some nice things are:
Adventure Playground. This is open on weekends and a very unique playground for parents/kids (you can Google it for a link).
The bluff at Cesar Chavez Park is famous for kite flying.
The horse racing track at Golden Gate Fields is a blast. It's awesome to go on Sundays (dollar day) after a swim.
More recently, I've been liking taking my boys to brunch at a cool cafe called Paradise Park.”
Taylor Hurt:
“Bicycling around the marina is delightful, and I always stop to enjoy the cat bathing station on the North end. They put it near the fish cleaning area so the smell can be horrendous but those little wet kitties nuzzling their owners is so adorable.”
Warren Wallace:
“Berkeley Marina Sportsmans Center: This is the little convenience store and bait shop right across the street from our parking lot. It's a pretty standard little shop, but the owner is great and you can't beat the convenience! Many of us have made a quick stop after a swim for a hot Peet's coffee that he brews and sells for $2. Or if you need a quick snack or a beer, it's a quick option! There are often local fishermen and others hanging out front with cans in paper bags.
César Chávez Park and McLaughlin Eastshore State Seashore: These two park areas right there at the marina, as well as the bike path heading south along the Frontage Road, have tons of great walking and biking paths with nice views of the bay. A lot of swimmers will run or bike before or after our weekly swims. Don't be confused if swimmers exit the water quickly and race to change clothes...they're just practicing triathlon transitions! Find a training buddy at one of the swims if you want to join in some extra exercise.
Artís Coffee: A few blocks up from the marina, this small cafe is a great choice for coffee fans. They roast their own beans daily and serve high-quality coffee drinks and small snacks. There are a few tables inside and outside, or get something to go and walk around the 4th street neighborhood.
The Butcher's Son: On University Ave (the same street as the marina, just drive up past MLK Jr. Way), this restaurant is a plant-based take on a traditional deli. They have over 20 sandwiches and a bunch of good sides and salads. Sandwiches like the Steak Reuben or Hot Pesto Chicken taste so much like real meat-based options that you might not realize that they are all made with plant-based alternatives. They also have vegan ‘meats’ and ‘cheese.’”
You can also find information about upcoming events and activities near the Berkeley Marina here. To join us on a weekly swim, learn more and register here.