• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

You are here: Home / Campus life / Berkeley / 10 Road Trips from UC Berkeley to Spice Up Zoom University

10 Road Trips from UC Berkeley to Spice Up Zoom University

October 22, 2020 //  by Noah Kim

FacebookTweet

There always seems to exist that one student on Zoom who participates with vigor, has the face cam on and extensively uses the “raise your hand” function. If you consider yourself that student, I commend you—you really carry the class along. I am no fan of Zoom University, but I am a fan of silver linings. For the other 70% of students—or silent Zoom squares—check out some road trip ideas that can accompany your lecture podcasts and brighten up your average Zoom days. And I didn’t forget about you Bears that don’t have access to a car up on campus—brave the bus for the final five.

Read on to discover these road trips from UC Berkeley that’ll provide that silver lining you need in 2020.

1. Bixby Bridge (Big Sur) — 133 miles south; 2 hour 15 minute drive

picture of Bixby Bridge on overcast day used for travel article
wikimedia.org/

Both sight-seers and Instagrammers flock to Bixby Bridge’s beautiful view. The drive—while a little over two hours—will grant you the coastal highway for the final stretch. Bixby stands 260 ft tall, stretches over the creek below it and overlooks the Pacific. As you can imagine, a profile picture on Bixby Bridge would make any Instagram profile way more entertaining. “I stopped by the bridge after going to see Big Sur and it is beautiful and worth the drive,” CSUN Junior Vahagn Bagramian said. If Bixby whets your nature appetite, about 20 minutes further down the highway sits Big Sur—a stretch of coastal highway known for its state parks and beaches. If you want that naturalistic-profile picture or to simply enjoy a good coastal view, pack up a lunch for the day and listen to that lecture recording on the way down.

2. Napa Valley— 35 miles north; 45 minute drive

picture of Napa Valley vineyard for travel article
wikimedia.org/

For all the old juniors and seniors, this winery will liven up your bland weekday nights and would be a special destination for any wine-lover out there. The rolling green hills stretch incredibly far in all directions. Heading out a little earlier to watch the sunset over the hills would be a fantastic addition to your wine filled night. Pricing (and tours are hard to come by right now due to Covid-19) fluctuates a bit with this one so make sure to look around and pick a winery that won’t break the bank. Grab your designated friend driver and head on up for the day.

3. Lake Tahoe — 179 miles northeast; 3 hour 15 minute drive

picture of the north shore of the east bay in Lake Tahoe for travel article
wikimedia.org/

You don’t have to ski or snowboard here but your shredder friends will probably make you. More of a weekend getaway, Lake Tahoe has plenty of Airbnb cabins available that your responsible friend can study in. “My friend actually has a cabin up there and yes, I do in fact shred,” UC Berkeley Senior Chan-Il Kim said. Snowboarding and skiing make for a big part of the winter Tahoe experience. Lake Tahoe’s exceptionally clear water and surrounding greenery allow for beautiful photos and even better experiences. The calming vibe offers high-quality relaxation and renting a cabin to get away with your friends has become quite the weekend phenomenon. Either way, be safe, have fun, listen to those lectures and enjoy nature.

4. Mount Diablo Summit — 35 miles east; 1 hour 10 minute drive

picture of Mt. Diablo summit view for travel article
wikimedia.org/

Hikers, mountain drivers and nature lovers alike, should make the trek on over to experience Mount Diablo. If the name alone doesn’t make you go, then hopefully that breathtaking view from the summit will. You can drive or hike to the summit but one way or another, make it to the summit. From Mount Diablo’s summit, green stretches farther than the eye can see; try and go on a clear day so that you don’t end up just gazing into the clouds.  The mountain has been an inspiration to pop culture like the Percy Jackson series and Diablo the video game which was named after the mountain itself. All in all, the summit makes for the perfect day trip and opportunity to bask in the accomplishment of hiking 13.2 miles up to the top.

5. Thor’s Well — 565 miles; 9 hours 15 minutes

picture of Thor's Well at sunset for travel article
wikimedia.org/

Known as the “drainpipe of the Pacific,” Thor’s Well—a seemingly never-ending sinkhole off the Oregon coast—is a monster of a trip. But for those with an itch to drive the coast or experience the amazement of nature, you might want in on this one. Be sure to have plenty of snacks, a full tank of gas and a reliable car—unless the unreliability excites you, then go for it. The sinkhole mysteriously never fills up despite water continually filling it, making the well a popular destination for both photographers and marine adventurers. If you do decide to make a weekend adventure out of this, do be careful of the waves and bring a raincoat.

The final five on this list are for those Bears who don’t have access to a car. Remember to be safe on the bus and go with a friend.

6. The Golden Gate Bridge — 5 hours 15 minutes by public transportation

picture of the golden gate bridge at sunset for travel article
wikimedia.org/

The Golden Gate Bridge has been a tourist attraction since its creation. You can rent a bike to ride across, or use those iconic Berkeley calves and walk across. Walking typically takes about an hour and half depending on how many breaks you take. New to the Bay Area? You must try this—at least once.  “It was so fun, but rent the bike. Seriously, rent the bike,” UC Berkeley Junior Helen Lee said. Enjoy the bay weather, take a friend and hopefully a bike to coast along this San Francisco classic.

7. Alcatraz Island — 2 hours by public transportation

Alcatraz Island after storm picture for travel article
wikimedia.org/

Alcatraz probably takes the cake for the most famous prison award, known for its unique island set up in which you need an actual ferry ride to get there. Fun fact, the prison held Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelley (not the rapper) the famous bank robber. You do need to purchase the $40 ticket in advance. “The ferry ride was actually very fun. I don’t get seasick but some other people definitely did,” UC Berkeley Junior Katie Koo said. Although a little pricey, any history buff will truly enjoy the trip. Alcatraz takes a little more planning but offers a fun way to escape Zoom for a day and indulge in some interesting prison history that dates all the way back to the 1930s.

8. Chinatown — 1 hour 15 minutes by public transportation

picture of SF's Chinatown for travel article
wikimedia.org/

From frighteningly cheap yet delicious food, to swords your kid brother could only dream of—SF’s Chinatown holds so many hidden treasures . Personally, I have bought 5-tshirts for $7, eaten some of the best fried chicken and found Bruce Lee movies on the cheap in Chinatown. Good Mong Kok Bakery sells dim sum and barbeque pork buns for about a $1 a dish. Next door lies New Golden Daisy, otherwise known as some of the best fried chicken you will ever eat. Experience New Golden Daisy’s authentic feel and arrive ready with your pockets jingling because they only take cash. “Their chicken is so crisp. It is excellent fried chicken,” UC Berkeley Junior Mirsol Kim said. Go check out these two restaurants for a day and the rest of the gems that sit in Chinatown waiting for you to discover.

9. Aquarium of the Bay — 1 hour 15 minutes by public transportation

picture of the tunnel at the aquarium of the bay for travel article
wikimedia.org/

In need of a date idea? Or just enjoy the hypnotic view of colorful fish floating in giant tanks? Aquarium of the Bay takes you on an hour and a half walk in a tunnel under a massive fish tank. Currently, you do need to buy tickets in advance ($30) but the tunnel makes for a cute walk-and-talk style date. The aquarium sits right on Pier 39, where you can find loads of restaurants and shops to keep you busy if you mistime the bus. Aquariums not your thing? The Pier—Fisherman’s Wharf area altogether—remains worthy of a few hours where you could swing by Biscoff Coffee Corner, Trish’s Mini Donuts or get a piping hot bread bowl of San Francisco’s famous clam chowder. An aquarium, donuts, coffee and delicious chowder sounds like a successful day trip to me.

10. Land’s End Labyrinth—2 hours by public transportation

picture of land's end labyrinth for travel article
wikimedia.org/

Created by a local artist Eduardo Aguilera, the labyrinth features an intricate design symbolic of  “peace, love and enlightenment” watched over by several local artists and trail lovers. The labyrinth—a free visit and hike to get there—can be found by starting in the Land’s End main parking lot. You can take a bus out there but it might be faster to Uber after reaching the union square. The short hike becomes very worth it once you make it to the labyrinth and have the amazing view of the Golden Gate. Make sure to take a friend and ask around if you get lost—most people there want to see the extravagant view of the labyrinth just as much as you do.

FacebookTweet

Filed Under: Berkeley Student Travel

About Noah Kim

Noah is a junior at UC Berkeley studying English and intending to pursue a law degree. Go Bears! He enjoys business podcasts and nerd-ing out over poetry.

You May Also Like

berkeley outdoors

10 COVID-19 Friendly Things to Do in Berkeley, California

24 Things to Do Around UC Berkeley in 24 Hours: COVID-19 Edition

students in class

Save the GPA: Top 10 Hardest Classes at UC Berkeley

10 Road Trips from UC Berkeley to Spice Up Zoom University

A Journey to Home Through a College Acceptance

things to do- Sather Gate

From a UC Berkeley Student: Welcome to the Stress-O-Sphere

Top 10 Campuses for Students with Physical Disabilities

history major

Top 10 Colleges for History Majors

student tips- Sproul

10 Ways To Prep For Berkeley So You Get Your “Golden Bear” Experience

Do I Really Belong at the University of California, Berkeley?

bampfa on-campus jobs at berkeley

10 On-Campus Jobs at Berkeley to Take You Straight to the Bank

christina romer best professors at uc berkeley

10 Most Inspiring Professors at UC Berkeley

berkeley student

10 Signs You Were a Proud Berkeley Student

Cal Mascot Stuffed Animals

20 Quirks You’ll Only Find at UC Berkeley

CM’s Guide to UC Berkeley

Previous Post: « 10 Self-Care Tips and Tricks for Success: COVID-19 Edition
Next Post: 15 Banned Books You Need to Read Before 2020 Ends »

Primary Sidebar



Trending Posts

70

Top 10 Weird Scholarships You Can’t Miss

60

24 Ways My 2020 Survival Guide Turned into 2021 Lifestyle Habits

55

The Ultimate Auburn University Bucket List: 21 Things to Do Before Graduating

best classes
24

10 Best Classes You Need to Take at Drake University

cover photo sju si
10

Top 10 Best Resources Offered at St. John’s University-Staten Island

Featured Chapter: St. John’s University

Footer

logo

College Magazine is the national daily guide to campus life. Our articles for college students feature university rankings of U.S. colleges, college guides, academic advice, college prep, career advice, student health and collegiate dating tips.

Written by students for students, by a team of journalists from universities nationwide, we’re on the pulse of the college experience.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

Majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

Intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

Money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

Travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

Shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

Copyright © 2021 College Magazine · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.