WHERE Berkeley, California
WHO Sarah Henry, 53, writer and author of Farmsteads of the California Coast (2016) and co-author of The Juhu Beach Club Cookbook: Indian Spice, Oakland Soul (2017).
FROM Born in Britain, raised in Sydney, lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 32 years, in Berkeley for 14 years.
SEE Go locavore and check out the year-round farmers markets on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday. Pristine produce, delicious prepared food and lots of great people watching as Berkeleysiders, known for their passion for good grub, stroll the stalls with recyclable bags. ecologycenter.org
DO Climb what hikers here have dubbed "Butt Burn Hill" in the Claremont Canyon Nature Preserve. The trailhead is located in the upscale neighbourhood of Elmwood. You'll be rewarded for your efforts with panoramic views of the bay, fog willing.
EAT Find umami-rich ramen (lunch only) at Iyasare on 4th Street, an upscale West Berkeley shopping area. Chef Shotaro Kamio's Japanese comfort food includes agedashi tofu and kara-age fried chicken. iyasare-berkeley.com
DRINK Hoi Polloi Brewing Room is a slip of a spot in South Berkeley with just 20 stools. The watering hole, owned by Vietnamese-American brothers, is popular with locals for its craft brews, DJ spinning beats on an old-school turntable and warm popcorn bathed in truffle oil. hoipolloibrewing.com
AVOID Thinking you should steer clear of neighbouring Oakland. It's a diverse, dynamic, and vibrant community, with several areas (Temescal, Uptown, Old Oakland, Rockridge, Fruitvale to name just a few) featuring excellent cafes, restaurants, bars, music venues, and shops.
