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Free Traveling Guides » States » California » Greater San Francisco
Shattuck Avenue
Shattuck Avenue is a vibrant commercial center of Berkeley known for its art centers, dining places, unique shops and diverse cultural activities. Shattuck Avenue or downtown Berkeley is located next to UC Berkeley and is situated 12 miles (20 km) from San Francisco.
The history of Shattuck Avenue dates back to 1876. Francis Kittredge Shattuck, who was one of the founding landowners of Berkeley, had persuaded the Southern Pacific railroad company to run a spur line through his property that culminated at Berkeley Square and Shattuck Square. When Berkeley was officially adopted in 1878, Shattuck Avenue became the main street of Berkeley.
Shattuck Avenue is a perfect blend of traditional and modern style representing the bustling culture of Berkeley. This is one of the busiest areas of Berkeley with around 49,000 people residing within a one mile radius of the area. The population further tends to expand in this area when 23,000 office workers, 30,000 UC Berkeley students, 11,000 UC Berkeley faculty and 3000 Berkeley high school students pass through the area each day.
Situated between Shattuck Avenue and Milvia Street is the downtown Berkeley Arts District, a center that offers a rich diversity of cultural arts and entertainment. This area is home to several well-known movie theaters, bookstores, jazz schools, folk music centers, billiards rooms and restaurants.
Reaching Shattuck Avenue is not a problem as convenient modes of transportation are available for tourists and locals. A convenient Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Station is located on Shattuck Avenue between Center Street and Allston Way and is considered the lifeline of downtown Berkeley. Apart from that, there are 13 AC transit bus lines and taxi services available from Shattuck Avenue that serve downtown Berkeley. All the buses are wheelchair accessible and can even transport bicycles.
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