I'm hoping to visit campus for the first time in over 15 years, showing my 12yo son around for the first time. I know the Axe used to be displayed in the Student Union by the stairs going up to Pauley Ballroom on the south side of the building, and the building map on the Berkeley website shows that is the location of the "Ax Case." Can anyone confirm so we're not wandering around trying to find it? Also, how much of the campus, including CMS, is accessible to the public? Are the days of all halls being open to anyone anytime gone, or is it still the norm? I don't expect all office and admin areas to be accessible, but it would be nice to show my son around as much as possible, including inside CMS if possible. Is it best to start at the Koret Visitor Center and take either the guided or self-guided tours? There's a PDF for the self-guided tour, but no detail on what the guided tour covers. Thanks!

eliu01 said:

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I'm hoping to visit campus for the first time in over 15 years, showing my 12yo son around for the first time. I know the Axe used to be displayed in the Student Union by the stairs going up to Pauley Ballroom on the south side of the building, and the building map on the Berkeley website shows that is the location of the "Ax Case." Can anyone confirm so we're not wandering around trying to find it? Also, how much of the campus, including CMS, is accessible to the public? Are the days of all halls being open to anyone anytime gone, or is it still the norm? I don't expect all office and admin areas to be accessible, but it would be nice to show my son around as much as possible, including inside CMS if possible. Is it best to start at the Koret Visitor Center and take either the guided or self-guided tours? There's a PDF for the self-guided tour, but no detail on what the guided tour covers. Thanks!

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1. The Axe is on display in the Student Union in the Axe case where it has always been (as you describe it). It was there about 3 months ago when I stopped by to visit the Axe when I had a meeting on Campus.

2. There is a Visitors' Center at the Stadium. I am not certain of its name (Koret? maybe) There is paid parking next to the Stadium (quite pricey) under Maxwell (formerly Kleeberger (sp?)) Field. There are interesting displays at the Visitor's Center. But make sure to take a few selfies by the large Grizzly Bear and the statue commemorating The Play.

3. I am not certain you can get access to the Stadium. If at all possible take the elevator to the Top of the Press Box. The view from the balcony looking toward the Golden Gate (and the Bay Area) is 'to die for'. But take care if you have vertigo. You might want to stay off the balcony and stay inside the glass enclosed room that provides the same view. The view toward the East is not as dramatic; but is beautiful on a sunny day looking toward the football field and Strawberry Canyon.

4. I would recommend public parking at a paid lot (closest is the big lot with entrances on Durant and Channing near Telegraph. You can't miss it. It is 6 stories tall and has reddish orange steel reinforcement all around. (It is a little "sketchy" but it is safe and the parking fee is more reasonable with no charge if you stay less than an hour.) It is almost diagonally across Channing from Rasputin's (Yes it is still there although it has moved from its original location. Along with Amoeba Records, it is one of the last record and video stores around campus.) Then walk up Telegraph toward the Student Union (purchase misc. Cal gear for you child.). Then walk into the campus through Sather Gate.

5. You can grab a good yogurt at Yogurt Park across the street on Durant, or at Top Dog one block up on Durant, or a burrito at La Burrita also on Durant one building down from Top Dog. (All reasonably priced.) A bit more upscale you can have a drink at Henry's one block uphill from Top Dog on Durant.

One of my favorite places to get something to eat is the bar/dining room located at the Faculty Club. It is open to the public. The setting is beautiful and peaceful on a sunny day. Grab an outside table overlooking Faculty Glade and looking up to the Campanile. (There are two interesting statues in Faculty Glade: Pappy Waldorf and a bronze statue of a semi-nude woman that was thought to be too racy for Cal students when it was acquired by the University and lost to the ages until it was discovered in the basement of the Hearst gym back in the 1960's.)

6. Get a map and take a walking tour of Campus. There have been a number of changes to the campus over the past 15 years.

Best sites on Campus (all open to the public):

a. Doe Library (usually open to visitors) with one of the best university reading rooms in the Country. Stop by and look at the huge Mural of Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth by the painter Emanuel Leutze (same guy who painted Washington Crossing the Delaware) .

b. Campanile (price $1 (?). Second tallest free standing bell tower IN THE WORLD. Best views of Campus from the bell tower (about 200 feet up from its base). The view from the observation deck will give you an idea of the changes to the Cal Campus of the past 15 years.

c. Faculty Glade.

d. Memorial Glade.

d. Hearst Mining Building.

e. Sather Gate.

f. Moffitt Undergraduate Library. (it has been really renovated for the better over the past 15 years) I was at Cal when it opened and hated the way it looked. But the renovation has done wonders.

g. Valley Life Sciences Building has also been refurbished and has full size skeletons of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and Pterodactyl outside of the LSB reading room/

Hope you enjoy your day on the Cal Campus -- GO BEARS!