• Downtown Bart Plaza in Downtown Berkeley is a great gathering spot for friends and family.

    Our Downtown.

    Where arts, culture, innovation, and community come together. Experience the unexpected in Downtown Berkeley.

    Explore the District →
  • A panoramic view of a cityscape with numerous residential houses, some commercial buildings, lush green trees, and a distant bay with sailboats, mountains, and cloudy sky in the background.

    Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

    Berkeley has always been at the forefront of global innovation and invention, from the disability rights and farm-to-table movements to modern medical and technology advancements. UC Berkeley is the #1 public university and #1 in startups in the world.

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  • Young girl painting on a colorful mural at an outdoor event with other children nearby.

    Different Perspectives. One Vibrant Downtown.

    A dynamic destination shaped by culture, creativity, community, and the people who make Berkeley extraordinary.

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  • A band performs live on an outdoor stage in front of a brick building, with several musicians playing guitars, drums, and saxophone, surrounded by a seated audience.

    Destination for creativity.

    Downtown Berkeley has established itself as a world class destination for arts, culture and entertainment with a rich and varied collection of arts and cultural venues. We consistently rank among the top producers of artists, writers, and performers per capita in the nation.

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  • Urban street scene with lamp posts decorated with colorful hanging flowers, a tree, and buildings in the background under a bright blue sky.

    Where Berkeley Comes Together.

    From coffee shops and world class dining to cultural landmarks, innovative businesses to colorful public spaces, experience the heart of Berkeley.

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  • City street scene with tall black office building, smaller buildings, cars on the road, buses, and a sidewalk with red umbrellas and outdoor seating.

    Find Your Place in Downtown Berkeley.

    Pull up a chair. Explore local favorites, experience the arts, and enjoy a downtown where everyone belongs.

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  • A city street scene outside a modern building with tall glass windows. There is a bus stop with bus schedules and advertisements, and a sign that reads 'Berkeley Bucks.' The sun is shining brightly, creating lens flare and shadows on the sidewalk. A person is walking on the sidewalk.

    A City of Ideas. A Downtown Full of Life.

    A place where innovation meets creativity, local businesses thrive, and every visit brings something new.

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  • Aerial view of a cityscape with buildings, trees, and a park with a large lawn, near a body of water, with hills in the background.

    Where Big Ideas Take Shape.

    From brilliant minds at UC Berkeley to groundbreaking startups and global innovation leaders at SkyDeck and the Berkeley Startup Cluster, it all starts here. Cal is the #1 leader in startups in the world.

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EXPLORE DOWNTOWN BERKELEY

Four doorways into downtown

Search all businesses
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Eat & Drink

Cafes, quick bites, & world class dining with global appeal

Interior of a boutique store with display tables of ceramic and decorative items, shelves of hats, and large floral arrangements near the entrance, with the shop name partially visible.

Shop

Books, threads & local makers

Five women dressed in traditional Thai clothing standing in front of a colorful tent that says "Meet Me Downtown" and "Downtown Berkeley" on top, in a parking lot with cars and a building in the background.

Arts & Culture

Theatre, galleries & live music

A band of musicians performs on an outdoor stage in front of a brick building during the daytime. The group includes guitarists, a drummer, and wind instrument players, with audience members visible in the foreground.

Play

Parks, plazas & things to do

UPCOMING EVENTS

What’s on Downtown

A young girl with butterfly face paint, wearing a witch hat, is smiling at a Halloween event. An adult woman dressed as a witch, with green face paint, a purple hat, and colorful jewelry, is also smiling. They are at a booth with Halloween decorations, surrounded by other people at the Downtown Berkeley Plaza, during a Halloween event on October 30th from 3pm to 7pm.
Halloween event flyer announcing costume contest, crafts for kids, fortune telling, live music, face painting, vendors, pumpkins, Rocky Horror LIVE, and more at Downtown Berkeley Plaza on October 30th from 3 pm to 7 pm with a festive purple background and Halloween-themed graphics.
Crowd of people sitting and standing on a city street during a public event, with musicians playing instruments in the foreground, surrounded by tall buildings under a clear blue sky.

SEASONAL SPOTLIGHT

Sidewalk Sessions

A live outdoor music performance with a band playing instruments on stage, including guitars, drums, and saxophone, in front of a brick building, with an audience watching.

There will be music in the streets once again. All summer long, live buskers perform in multiple locations throughout downtown — an open-air soundtrack to your afternoon stroll.

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See All Events

GET ORIENTED

The walkable map of downtown

Theaters, cafés, shops, and campus are all just steps away. Explore the map and walk to what’s next.

Everything within a 15-minute walk.

Directions
Directory

For everyone who keeps downtown running

GET INVOLVED

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FOR BUSINESSES

Marketing support, clean, safe, & beautiful services, and general business support for exiting merchants and new businesses.

Business resources →

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LIVE DOWNTOWN

Apartments & homes, arts, events and activities, and student discounts for residents who make downtown vibrant and full of life.

Living downtown →

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GET INVOLVED

Be part of Berkeley’s best chapter yet. Reach out and connect with us for partnerships, events, & sponsorship opportunities.

Get in touch â†’

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A nonprofit funded by property owners

WHO WE ARE

The Downtown Berkeley Association is an independent nonprofit, funded by Downtown property owners, delivering clean, safe, and vibrant streets — and the marketing, advocacy, and support that help local businesses and our community as a whole thrive.

Request a service →
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Cleaning & Beautification

✦ Trash and graffiti removal

✦ Sidewalk sweeping & power washing

✦ Landscaping, flower baskets, lighting

Learn More →

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Hospitality & Outreach

✦ On-street concierge & wayfinding

✦ Quick response outreach & referrals

✦ Safety Ambassadors (starting 2027)

Learn More →

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Marketing & Support

✦ Events production & publicity

✦ Online business directory

✦ Media & social outreach

Learn More →

Berkeley Bucks

Give the gift of downtown. Gift cards work at dozens of local shops and restaurants.

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Get a card →

Student Discounts

Berkeley High, Berkeley City College, and UC Berkeley students save at participating downtown businesses all year.

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View deals →

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