{"id":108771,"date":"2025-12-25T15:17:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-25T15:17:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/108771\/"},"modified":"2025-12-25T15:17:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-25T15:17:09","slug":"17-museums-and-galleries-to-explore-in-berkeley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/108771\/","title":{"rendered":"17 museums and galleries to explore in Berkeley"},"content":{"rendered":"

Never miss local events!\u00a0Sign up for Berkeleyside\u2019s arts and culture newsletter, The Scene<\/a>. And check out our roundup of affordable things to do anytime in Berkeley<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve long been a proponent of playing tourist in your own city and exploring it as a first-timer would.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Berkeley, which has no shortage of fun and affordable activities<\/a>, is especially great for this. I\u2019ve put together this list to help you plan your next hometown excursion. Hours may have changed, so I\u2019d strongly recommend checking the website before you go. <\/p>\n

Have something you think belongs on this list? Email the-scene@berkeleyside.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Arts spaces
\n\"\"\/A show at the Berkeley Art Center in 2021. Credit: Minoosh Zomorodinia<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfa8 The Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (or BAMPFA) offers free admission<\/a> to its gallery on first Thursdays. General admission is typically $18, but UC Berkeley students and SNAP participants can always enter for free. Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.<\/p>\n

\ud83e\uddd1\u200d\ud83c\udfa8 The Kala Art Institute\u2019s gallery and community classroom at 2990 San Pablo Ave. presents six curated art exhibitions per year. Tuesday-Friday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays, 12 p.m.-4 p.m. FREE<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfa8 The nonprofit Berkeley Art Center<\/a>, located in Live Oak Park<\/a>, showcases the work of Bay Area contemporary artists. Open Thursday through Sunday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. FREE<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf0e Two floors of the David Brower Center are devoted to environmental art. Previous artists featured in its art gallery, which rotates exhibitions three times a year, include Sebastiao Salgado, Maya Lin, Richard Misrach, Edward Burtynsky and Amy Franceschini. Open weekdays. Check the website<\/a> for hours. FREE<\/p>\n

\u2721\ufe0f The Magnes Collection of Jewish Life and Art in downtown Berkeley was one of the first Jewish museums in the U.S. when it was founded in 1962. The museum is open during UC Berkeley\u2019s fall and spring semesters. Check the site for museum hours<\/a>. FREE<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfa8 The Arts and Crafts Cooperative, Inc. (or ACCI) was established in 1959 by a small collective of artists and craftspeople who wanted to showcase their own artwork. The charming North Berkeley art gallery<\/a>, located in a former French laundry, showcases work by over 100 local artists and claims to be the first co-op of its kind west of the Mississippi. We\u2019re fond of their artsy and affordable greeting cards, which can also double as wall decor. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfa8 West Berkeley\u2019s Shoh Gallery, founded in 2016, features works by Bay Area fine artists. Check the website<\/a> for hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfa8 Also in West Berkeley is 120710, a nonprofit experimental art gallery opened by Jonathan Bachrach, a former UC Berkeley computer science professor. Read our story<\/a>. To visit, email info@120710.art<\/a> to schedule an appointment. Check the website<\/a> for hours. FREE<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfa8 UC Berkeley\u2019s Worth Ryder Art Gallery, located on the first floor of the school\u2019s Anthropology and Art Building, features work by faculty and students. Open most weekdays. Check the website<\/a> for hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Science and history
\n\"\"\/You can get a close-up view of lichen at the Lawrence Hall of Science\u2019s outdoor learning lab. Credit: Ximena Natera, Berkeleyside\/CatchLight<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd2d The Lawrence Hall of Science<\/a>\u2019s hands-on exhibits are great for kids. An additional $5 fee grants you access to their hypnotizing planetarium<\/a>, where you can lean back and enjoy a live, interactive show. Read our story<\/a> about their outdoor nature lab, which opened in 2022. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $20<\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddbc\ufe0f The Berkeley Historical Society & Museum\u2019s History Center<\/a> is located in the Veterans Memorial Building. Thursday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m. FREE<\/p>\n

Quirky treasures
\n\"\"The Little Free Art Gallery in front of 1342 Hopkins St. was created as a neighborhood pandemic project. The art is free for taking \u2014\u00a0just don\u2019t kidnap the \u201cvisitors.\u201d Credit: Iris Kwok<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc57 Tour the Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles<\/a> in South Berkeley and learn about the history of textile arts and costumes. Monday-Saturday, 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. RSVP<\/a> required. $3<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc43 The Aftel Archive of Curious Scents<\/a> in North Berkeley is the only museum dedicated to perfumes in the U.S. You\u2019ll get to choose four samples to take home with you. Read our story<\/a>. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $25<\/p>\n

\u2615 Have a cup of joe at the original Peet\u2019s Coffee location at 2124 Vine St., which opened in 1966 and helped start a specialty coffee revolution. Stroll through the mini museum in the back hall (located in what used to be the roasting room). Read our interview with Bill Coffin, the cafe\u2019s first employee<\/a>. Open weekdays, 5:30 a.m.-8 p.m, and weekends, 6 a.m.-8 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf76 Learn about the sake production process and taste five types of sake at Takara Sake\u2019s West Berkeley museum and tasting room<\/a>.<\/a> Takara says its museum is the \u201conly one of its kind within the USA.\u201d Ages 21+. Thursday-Friday, 1-5 p.m., and Sundays, 12-6 p.m. RSVP<\/a> required. $20<\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddbc\ufe0f Stop by Andrea Scharff\u2019s Art & Lit Gallery at 1321 Bay View Place, donate a book and admire the fun-sized, curated art shows that rotate<\/a> every few weeks. Read our story<\/a>. \u201cOpen\u201d 24\/7, but be mindful that it\u2019s in a residential neighborhood.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddbc\ufe0f\u00a0 The Little Free Art Gallery in front of 1342 Hopkins St. was created as a neighborhood pandemic project. Rules are simple: you\u2019re welcome to take a tiny artwork home with you as long as you leave another in its place. Don\u2019t kidnap the toy \u201cvisitors.\u201d All art mediums are welcome as long as they can fit inside the small display box. \u201cOpen\u201d 24\/7, but be mindful that it\u2019s in a residential neighborhood.<\/p>\n

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