I didn’t expect the Berkeley side of the San Francisco Bay to be so mind-bendingly beautiful. Like many other travelers, my husband and I combine sight-seeing with exercising, usually by taking a power walk around the area. The hiking trails located throughout the bay side of Berkeley, California, northeast of San Francisco, made it easy to get outside and enjoy the outdoors, but the views were a foot slowing hike-stopper. Our fast pace became a stroll, and sitting on the benches facing the bay suddenly became more important than feeling the burn. We were in the area to visit the beautiful college town of Berkeley, but it was the stunning San Francisco Bay that stole the show.
Wonderful. I can smel the fresh air!
LikeLike
Thank you!! Have a wonderful weekend!
LikeLike
Always in Cape Town, and that is the problem – you are detracted 🙂
LikeLike
The photographs I’ve seen of Cape Town are stunning. I can understand your being distracted by it’s stunning natural beauty. I would love to visit and be distracted, myself!
Take care!
LikeLike
Oh my, I was just in Berkeley, staying with friends in the Berkeley Hills. Your images of the Bay are as you expressed: calming and serene. We’ll obviously be sharing each other’s experiences in Northern California.
LikeLike
Sally, yours was more of an extended visit. We’ve been traveling back and forth to the West Coast following our daughter who plays a college sport. It’s been exhausting because our visits have been so brief. I’m looking forward to hearing about your “real” vacation!
LikeLike
Oh, you get small tastes that will encourage longer visits. See you soon.
LikeLike
I like the way you think, Sally!
LikeLike
So beautiful! I feel absolutely refreshed now, thank you, Elisa.
LikeLike
Ha, I’m glad I’ve had a calming influence on someone! Around the house it’s the other way around… 🙂
LikeLike
🙂 🙂 Sounds like time for tea…:-)
LikeLike
Beautiful..can you walk all around to the tip of where the gaps meet? 🙂
LikeLike
Andy, I’m not sure…but I’d sure like to return soon, so I can find out! There are zero water views in Atlanta…and it hurts me! Take care and have a great weekend. 🙂
LikeLike
In a way, yes. There’s a small beach area nearby.
LikeLike
Another bonus!
LikeLike
What a contrast to wild, dark waves. Water and spirit are quite alike in their extremes maybe that’s why it’s so easy to feel the calm in these pictures. Thank you for sharing them.
LikeLike
Ha, you said it so much better than I did. I wish you could have written my post!
Thanks for stopping by,
Elisa
LikeLike
The San Francisco Bay is an incredible place with a myriad of samples of ocean life and shorelines, and it seems that each corner has some spectacular draw of its own. You found a wonderfully calming spot. Thanks for sharing it.
LikeLike
Barney, thank you. You always seem to know where I’m coming from. I appreciate your thoughtful comment…I’m glad you liked!
LikeLike
You had a gorgeous clear day – beautiful!
LikeLike
I never forget that you used to live in California. I know that you understand the pleasure of a clear day in the Bay Area, but it’s beauty when it’s not so clear!
LikeLike
Breathtaking, Elisa.
LikeLike
Thank you, Tish!!
LikeLike
In my eyes the first one is amazing – so much catch in the photo… 😉
LikeLike
Thank you, I felt lucky to be standing there taking it all in!!
LikeLike
I haven’t been to Berkeley but maybe I should. These are beautiful shots of the bay.
LikeLike
From the reports of another commenter, I don’t think we scratched the surface of the wealth of beauty of the Berkeley area. I should have done better trip research! Thank you.
LikeLike
Absolutely stunning shots Elisa and gorgeous views! I know the feeling. 😀
Enjoy and have fun! ♥ Hugs ♥
LikeLike
Thanks, Sonel! Hugs to you too!
LikeLike
Thanks hon. 😀
LikeLike
Beautiful shots!
LikeLike
Thanks, David, always nice to hear from you!
LikeLike
Ahh, so beautiful and peaceful!
LikeLike
Thank you, Soonie!
LikeLike
Looks like Frontage Road along the Berkeley freeway. There are plenty of great hiking trails in Berkeley-Oakland. The most accessible, and closest, is Tilden Park. I believe the Laurel Canyon trail will take you to the Peace Grove, where the view is even better and you can see most of the Bay. Other locations: parking lot of the Lawrence Hall of Science. I got a good photo shot of a foggy evening. You can check out more eastbay hiking locations on my blog here: http://outdoorhikingtrek.com/blog/category/trips/california/bay-area/.
LikeLike
Hi, thanks for stopping by and for putting names to the places we visited and enjoyed so much. I’ll be sure to check out your blog!
Elisa
LikeLike
I also work in a nearby office. I get to see the views everyday! 🙂
LikeLike
I do envy you, it’s a beautiful beautiful area of Northern California!
LikeLike
Beautiful photos 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Elle!
LikeLike
These pictures are gorgeous! May I ask what camera and type of lens you used to capture these photos?
LikeLike
Lisa, thank you. I used a Nikon D600. The lens was borrowed – a fixed wide angle Nikon. I loved it and can’t wait to work with it again. Take care.
LikeLike
Your photos remind me of that song, “On a Clear Day”. Gorgeous views across the bay, Elisa. 🙂
LikeLike
And ever, and ever, and ever more! 🙂
Thank you!!
LikeLike
Beautiful views of the bay. You hit it right with the blue skies.
LikeLike
Sounds silly, but everything really is prettier on a clear, sunny day. I do like stormy weather, though. 🙂
LikeLike
The sea is so serene Elisa. Such fabulous shots. As far as recent trips where beauty stopped me in my tracks….the beaches of Negril Jamaica. Yah mon.
LikeLike
Hi, I’m just now finding comments that I never answered…sorry about that! The beaches of Negril ARE fabulous! Thank you, and have a great week!
LikeLike
No worries Elisa. what I like to do is when someone comments on my blog I return to theirs and leave a comment. I think I went back a bit to find this post 🙂
LikeLike
Such stunning photos. I’m thinking of changing my camera but I don’t want to bother with lens changes. All I want is an easy to use, small camera that takes good photos. But no wonder your photos are so fabulous. Do work with it soon for I look forward to seeing more of your artography. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Carol. If I had it to do over, I wouldn’t have invested in such a serious camera. The truth is, I’ve only scratched the service on its capabilities and time seems too precious to bury my head in a camera manual for so long. If you do your research and find a great travel camera…let me know!
LikeLike
I will, Elisa. I was recently on a hiking trip and one of the women had a small Canon camera that took amazing photos. The camera I now have is an Olympus but made for underwater photos, which gives me good photos of fish but a bit blurry photos of people out of water. 🙂
LikeLike
I use the Sony Nex 5-N. It’s super light and has just as good quality as any DSLR. And not complicated! Got on eBay for $350.
LikeLike
Hmmmm. Thanks, I’m going to start doing some research!
LikeLike
As a northern Californian, I’ve been enjoying your coverage of the Bay Area, Elisa. This walk around the Berkeley Marina area is indeed magical, and it’s wonderful that the City of Berkeley has provided so many wonderful, paved paths along the waterfront. I’m so glad you featured it here. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, I often wonder what local bloggers think when they come across a post about their hometown. I was so glad to see your input and appreciated your comments. I’m also pea green with envy that you call Northern California your home! To live in one of the most picturesque areas of the country must be like living in a dream. Take care,
Elisa
LikeLike
Elisa, You’ve captured wonderful views of the bay….serene with beautiful light. SF is my home for a good part of the year and I love spending time on the other side of the bay. Glad you had such a lovely day!
LikeLike
Thank you, Jane, I didn’t realize you were a part time SF Bay resident. I was just telling another blogger that is must be heavenly to live in Northern California, an area I consider to be one of the most beautiful in the country. Lucky you!!
LikeLike
We do love it and I agree, a photographer’s dream!
LikeLike
Mesmerising, Elisa! The first is a show stopper but it doesn’t end there. The feet would have been rooted to the spot 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Jo! I just heard from a couple of bloggers who live in that area…can you imagine enjoying that view every day? One has this view from his office window….doesn’t seem fair somehow! 😉
LikeLike
Not fair at all! I’m indulging in my usual escapism in my Pieniny mountain photos. Not quite the same thing 😦
LikeLike
😉
LikeLike
Breathtakingly beautiful indeed Elisa! And brilliantly captured.
LikeLike
It’s now but a lovely memory. 🙂
Thank you!!
LikeLike
Your photography is stunning. Really. And, I love the new look. 🙂
LikeLike
Hey there, George. I’m having a hectic summer with the family this year…in a good way, I guess. 🙂 I stole a second to catch up with my blog and found your nice comment that somehow got sandwich between two others, and I never responded. So sorry! Hope all is well. Hopefully I’ll be diving back into the blog again soon.
Miss you!
Elisa
LikeLike
I figured you were having fun with the kids. Enjoy yourself. Time passes quickly, you know… 🙂
LikeLike
You’re a great mentor to all of us about appreciating our loved ones and the value of living life to the max, George! 🙂
LikeLike
lovely vista!
LikeLike
Thank you for stopping by my blog, I’ve enjoyed your comments very much!
LikeLike
These pictures are so peaceful, they made wish I could be there myself. Sadly it’s not likely as when we travel we always head south to New Zealand to visit our son in the Bay of Islands. That too has a lovely peaceful beauty. I know where to go when I want to see great pictures now though. Thanks for visiting my site ❤
LikeLike
Hi there! I apologize for not responding more quickly, summertime gets in the way of other things, sometimes! I would love to visit New Zealand, it sounds and looks beautiful.
Take care!
Elisa
LikeLike
Hi Elisa. No problem, Summertime should get in the way of things. You would love The Bay of Islands I’ve no doubt, it is as beautiful as I think the name suggests. You never know, you may get there one day, as indeed I might to America.
Stay cool.
Joe
LikeLike
Fabulous images!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Arresting view!!! It kind of works out that it wasn’t cloudy at this view, eh. 😀
LikeLike
Yikes! I just realized I haven’t responded to a bunch of comments…I feel terrible. I’ve been busy back home in Atlanta and so miss visiting L.A. Thank goodness I have your blog to keep me in the loop!
Hope your summer is going well!!
Elisa
LikeLike
Lovely …. and truly never seen bay area looking this calm and colorful … wonderful!!!
LikeLike
Thank you. I was surprised too, and grateful that I took that early morning walk, as the wind picked up later in the morning. Take care, and thanks for stopping by!
Eisa
LikeLike