4th Street/West Berkeley

Fourth Street is one of our favorite Berkeley shopping streets. When it is time for a break, we often come down for a coffee at Peet’s, a visit to the Apple Store, and a browse through Builder’s Booksource.

This area was originally the town of Oceanview, and many of the Victorian buildings and churches have been well preserved. You’ll get a feel for turn-of-the-century Oceanview by walking up the pedestrian walkway from Peet’s to 5th Street; don’t miss the water tower, which was converted into living space on three levels.

Tree-lined Fourth Street has the feel of a small shopping village, and the holiday lights are a treat to see. I once read that the stores, including the always-busy Apple store, bring in more tax revenues than any of Berkeley’s other shopping districts … and I believe it.

The witty window displays of Molly b, garden furniture, and pottery at The Gardener are always a delight, and the restaurants –  Oceanview Diner, Zut! and Tacubaya have excellent distinctive dining.

Head south on Fourth Street, then stroll under the overpass to get to Catahoula Kaffeegarten, or Augie’s Montreal Deli (temporarily closed) in the old Southern Pacific depot.  Further south you’ll find Vik’s Chaat & Market, Tomate Cafe, and Photolab, my go-to place for prints and digital scans.

Berkeley’s whistle-stop Amtrak Station at University and 3rd features a whimsical mural where Wavy Gravy walks his fish. Look up to see the underpass’ poems and other murals. Amtrak California is the way to go if you’re commuting to Davis or Sacramento….or all the way through the Sierras to Reno and beyond. You can even take the train to San Jose, much easier (but less frequent) than taking BART to San Francisco is Embarcadero Station, MUNI to the Caltrain Depot, and Caltrain to San Jose.

Heading to Chicago, Seattle, or Los Angeles. Pick up the California Zephyr or Coast Starlight at Emeryville’s staffed station.

Go west to Aquatic Park for bird and canoe watching, take the pedestrian bridge to the Berkeley Marina, a great place to watch the sun or moon set behind the Golden Gate Bridge.

“Gourmet Ghetto West” … Bartavelle Coffee & Wine Bar, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, and Acme Bread, (the best since Snowflake Bakery on White Plains Road in The Bronx); all are at Cedar and San Pablo.

Whole Foods Market and Italy on Gilman are at Gilman near San Pablo.

West Berkeley has many artisan studios hosting open studios several times each year.

http://berkeleyartisans.com/

There’s still a lot of heavy industry there, including Truitt & White building supply. I particularly like photographing the Union Pacific / Caltrain railroad tracks, stainless steel tanks at Trumer Brauerei, Takara Sake, and the Pyro Mineral Gravel operation.

West Berkeley, Oceanview/Fourth Street is the region west of San Pablo Avenue. It includes some nearby neighborhoods east of San Pablo.

We’ve sold some great condos and townhomes in this part of town.  Email or call when you have “lofty” ambitions too!