The University of California (UC) is known for its distinguished faculty with 71 Nobel Prizes to its credit. Seven of its campuses are considered “Public Ivies.” The UC system is also well known for its national laboratories, observatories, art institutes, and more.
UC Berkeley
CampanileUC Berkeley is home to the third-tallest bell-and-clock tower in the world, the Campanile, and it’s open to the general public for just $5. Also known as Sather Tower, the iconic tower was built in 1913 and stands at 307 feet. It’s also home to the campus’s peregrine falcons, Annie and Archie. Enjoy daily concerts inside the tower and gorgeous panoramic views of the Bay Area.
The Greek Theatre is a consistent stop for some of today’s best known artists, as well as the venue for The Berkeley Jazz Festival, commencement ceremonies, and more. Originally called the Hearst Greek Theater, the theater was constructed in 1903 at the location of a pre-existing outdoor bowl amphitheater, called “Ben Weed’s Ampitheater,” which was in use beginning in 1894.
Built of redwood as a church in 1908, this small theater now hosts plays and musicals. The cozy 328-seat theater was founded in 2007, nearly 100 years after the original building was constructed.
Berkeley Repertory Theatre has held plays and more since 1968. More than 6 million people have seen more than 500 shows at the venue, including 85 world premieres. Berkeley Rep shows have won eight Tony Awards, nine Obie Awards, eleven Drama Desk Awards, one Grammy, a Pullitzer and more. It even received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 1997.
This combined art museum, repertory movie theater, and UC Berkeley film archive is $14 for the general public but free for youth 18 and under and adults with a child under 13.
At this free museum, check out a Pteranodon sparing above a humongous T-Rex skeleton, as well as other dinosaur fossils. Free admission.
Take a stroll through a Redwood Grove, by the university’s Carnivorous Plant Houseand Chinese Medicinal Garden, and more, in this 34-acre research garden with more than 13,000 plants. It’s also free for children 4 and under.
UCLA
Mathias Botanical GardenThis gorgeous 7.5 acre garden is open to the public and is the only free botanical garden in the greater Los Angeles area. It’s also a research facility. The garden was planted in 1929 covering 31 acres. Today it stands at seven acres with more than 1,600 species and 4,000 plants.
The Nimoy, outside of campus on Westwood Boulevard, was once the historic Crest Theatre. This 1980s Art Deco live performance space also lends itself to UCLA for small off campus events.
A creative hub of UCLA’s acclaimed School of Theater, Film and Television, the intimate Freud Playhouse is a 562-seat proscenium theater with a large stage. Ticket prices vary depending on the play and seat location.
The Fowler Museum displays art and material primarily from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Americas, past and present. It’s located in the north of campus, next to Royce and Glorya Kaufman halls. Admission is free.
UC San Diego
Epstein Family AmphitheatreThe state-of-the-art amphitheatre is located in the heart of campus and stages performing arts featuring local, national and international artists.
Home to 108 world premieres, 32 West Coast premieres, and eight American premieres have taken place at the La Jolla Playhouse, which has won more than 300 honors, including the 1993 Tony Award as America’s Outstanding Regional Theatre. The theater is located on the southwest side of campus.
UC Davis
The California Raptor CenterThe California Raptor Center on the campus of UC Davis is a refuge to injured or orphaned raptors and free to the public. Most birds are successfully rehabilitated and released in the wild, but those with permanent injuries call this place home.
Over 100 acres of gorgeous land with trees, gardens, and creeks, the arboretum is free to the public and open 24 hours. Dogs on leashes welcome.
UC Irvine
Langson Institute and Museum of Contemporary ArtThis California impressionist and contemporary art museum located on the north side of campus is free and open to the public. Step outside for stunning views of the San Joaquin Marsh Reserve.
Visitors can enjoy 19 acres of gardens and 51 varieties of trees free of charge. The park is on the northwest side of campus and dogs are welcome.
UC Merced
Art GalleriesUC Riverside
The university’s Eaton Collection of Science Fiction & Fantasy is one of the world’s largest collections of science fiction, fantasy, and utopian literature with over 300,000 items. Located in the UCR library, more than 100,000 books were published in the 19th to the mid-20th centuries. Admission is free.UC Santa Barbara
The REEF at the Marine Science InstituteOpen to the public every Friday and Saturday, visitors can hold lobsters, sea hares, and other sea creatures at this teaching aquarium. Entrance is free and admission is open to the public every Friday and Saturday only.
UC Santa Cruz
Seymour Marine Discovery CenterVisit this interactive marine science museum and aquarium, with hands-on exhibits and a touch pool that includes a shark, starfish, sea anemones, hermit crabs, and more. Admission is $12 for adults. Children 3 and under are free.
Visit this living museum on 135 acres to see rare and threatened plants, many of which are not available for study in American botanical gardens and arboreta. Admission is $10 for adults and free for children 4 and under.
