The Campanile

If you’re visiting Berkeley, it’s worth going up there once. It’s pretty neat and doesn’t cost much. You get to see all of Berkeley from above and also San Francisco from afar. Due to the distance, I don’t think pictures and videos will do the actual view any justice but it’s nice regardless.

I came to visit the campanile when I was at a conference at Berkeley. It’s SO cool!
4 things that are especially amazing:
— AMAZING view of Berkeley and the San Francisco Bay
— It’s cheap to visit!
— Someone actually uses an instrument to play the bells daily (I was about to call it a «bell piano,» because why not, but I guess it’s called a carillon.) It makes me sad that we don’t have real bells at my alma mater, UCLA :(
— The bells themselves are really neat! They range from teeny tiny to so huge they’d be terrifying to be underneath in an earthquake.
I’d recommend this to anyone visiting the Berkeley campus.

A pretty tower that rings at 12 and 6 that I pass by everyday going to class. The view inside is amazing as you can overlook the city and absorb its gorgeous scenery. I heard you shouldn’t enter when the bells ring because it is apparently massively loud.

I love the campanile! It’s just amazing that you can see whole Berkeley and even SF if it’s not foggy. I love bay area!

Iconic place in Berkeley.
Reminds me how much I love the streets of Berkeley & how bad I wish I live there.
So many memories near the Campanille & UC Berkeley.

Three dollar ride for a million dollar view!
(Well, $ 3 adult, $ 2 alumni (with CAA membership card), $ 2 youth, FREE for students!)
Looking back on my time at Cal, I think I should have made a concerted effort to come here more. Like, every week. Every day even. A short ride in the elevator with a very brief oral history of the tower leaves you at the base of a 1-​flight staircase to heaven. Panoramic views of the bay area await you. On a clear day, you can see to the Golden Gate Bridge to the west, the Big C to the east, the gorgeous Berkeley hills to the north, and downtown Oakland and beyond to the south.
If you’re in Berkeley for the morning, the afternoon, or really any time during the day, check this out. And while you’re at the top, watch if it’s close to the hour because the bells will ring and they will scare you. The view is more than worth it, though!
Pro-​tip: You can spot good ol’ Sather Tower (the Campanile’s alternate name) from lots of scenic spots in San Francisco! Look for the only tall, white, pointy tower just north of Emeryville.

As a die-​hard lover of UC Berkeley, how can I not rate the Campanile when I find it on Unilocal.Totally iconic and such a beautiful part of campus. Every student should go up at least once. I mean it’s free! And even if you’re not a student, it’s totally worth the nominal fee.

The third tallest bell-​clock tower in the world, the Campanile towers over Berkeley campus, downtown Oakland, and SF. I highly recommend going whether you are a student (free for students!!!), alumni ($ 2), or just visiting the area ($ 3).
As a recent graduate, I must admit that although being a student at Berkeley can be extraordinarily stressful, taking the short elevator ride to the top of the Campanile seems to momentarily dissolve my problems. With such a stunning view of the Bay Area and historical information given to you on the way up, it’s a lot easier to put my worries into perspective. I remember the first time I went up, I thought to myself, «And this is why I live in the Bay.»
The tower plays some cool tunes («Yesterday» by the Beatles, a variety of Katy Perry hits, «Bad Romance» by Lady Gaga, etc.). One tip though — if you choose to go to the top of the tower close to the hour, be prepared for some really, really loud bell noises.

Going through my bookmarks, I come across this one for the Campanile. It’s been awhile since I’ve been here, but this seems like a good time to catch up on some bookmarked reviews. Not a lot has changed since I was here last. For those of you who don’t know, «The Campanile» is the landmark structure on the UC Berkeley Campus. It’s also known as Sather Tower. It’s the big tall clocktower with the pointy top. Similar to the Transamerica Pyramid meaning SF, the Campanile means UC Berkeley (go Bears!). It is quite majestic standing there and quite a contrast to all the modern buildings that have been erected around it since it was built in 1914 (wow, that’s OLD)! Access is limited to the tower itself. I think there are guided tours to the top where the bells are. Back in the 70’s or so, suicide prevention glass barriers have been installed at the top viewing spots. I suppose they wouldn’t have been installed if there wasn’t a need for them … those finals can be killer!
I was here not for school but for a photo shoot using t he Campanile as a back drop. We had some good shots and some not so great ones, but it was a good effort overall. If you come to the UC Berkeley campus, this is one of the places to visit for sure … along with Telegraph Ave.

Beautiful view here! Free for cal students just show the ID! It can be very loud during certain chime hours ! Beautiful view of Berkeley!

Berkeley undergrads
Intellect engaged & spry
Defy Gravity
#NOLA_​Haiku #Haiku #Campanile #BellTower #SatherTower
#ShareCalDay #Cal #Berkeley
#Oakland

Worth my $ 3! The Campanile is an amazing landmark in the heart of the east bay. It is the very first clock tower I’ve ever taken a journey up. The elevator ride has a historical recording about it and there are informational stands to read about it. And once you reach the top, there are breath taking views of Oakland skyline and the Bay (Bridge, water, skyline). Take my money!
It is so photogenic and open to the public so don’t be afraid to check it out. I came during the campus’ spring break, so I didn’t have to worry about it being crowded.

Honestly pay the 3 bucks and go up. If you’re a Cal student, I don’t understand why you’ve not been up when it’s free. Great views of the bay and great view of Berkeley. I love just watching time pass above it all. And when I’m leaving the campus late, it’s always interesting to listen to what’s being played by the clarist.

This is where I had my first kiss. Haha JK. I come here to vent and imagine myself squishing people like ants.

An elevator ride up to the top of the UC-​Berkeley Campanile is totally worth $ 3!
Driving and parking on campus can be a bit tricky, so we opted to park off-​campus. Street parking is free on Sundays– score! Besides, strolling around Cal’s campus is quite lovely.
The tower itself has a brief history lesson and very nice views of the East Bay and even SF on a clear day. We enjoyed using our smart phones and Google maps to point out specific landmarks like the football stadium, downtown Oakland, the Berkeley Marina, and the Greek Theater.

A landmark of Berkeley! We learned that Cal was created from a land grant back when Lincoln was setting up areas for higher education during the Civil War. There is a Lincoln head sticking out of the building in honor of this decision.
I have yet to go up and view all of Berkeley. It’s $ 3 for non-​students, $ 2 for alumni/​under 17, and free for students with ID!
I have a brother who goes to Cal so it’s a great place to say to meet up when we are trying to find him in the craziness of Family Weekend, for example.

A must-​do while visiting campus — gorgeous views!
From the Cal website:
Sather Tower, known to most as the Campanile, is perhaps UC Berkeley’s most famous symbol. Visible for miles, it stands 307 feet tall and is the third tallest bell and clock-​tower in the world. The observation platform, located 200 feet up, provides visitors with a spectacular view of the entire Bay Area and of the campus. It is reachable via the combination of an elevator and stairs. The Campanile was completed in 1914.
Hours
Monday-​Friday: 10:00 am-3:45 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am-4:45 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am-1:30 pm and 3:00 pm-4:45 pm
Accessibility
The observation platform of this historical landmark is not wheelchair accessible, as there are 38 steps from the top of the elevator to the observation platform.
Cost
$ 3 general admission (18 years and over); $ 2 for seniors, Cal Alumni Association members with ID, and ages 17 and under. The Campanile is free to UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff with Cal ID, and children under 3.
Restrictions
Backpacks, large bags, and other large items are not permitted on the observation platform and cannot be stored in the Campanile lobby.

The Campanile. The one landmark that is famous and lets one know they are in Bear Territory aka Cal Berkeley. A student instructor assistant was giving a tour to us students [in the Education 198 (The Research University)] around many sights around the University of California campus here in beautiful downtown Berkeley. The Campanile was our final stop on the tour. In all of my misspent youth growing up in Berkeley, I have never been up here at Le Campanile. (And I was not going to pass up this opportunity.)
After going through the secret passageway between Moffitt and the Main Stacks at Doe Library, we headed to Le Campanile aka Sather Tower. Our esteemed docent told us we would be climbing about 38 flights of stairs. («Wot?! No elevator?!) I was quite taken aback. Fortunately, she was pulling our collective leg.
Upon entering, we check-​in our backpacks. There is an ticket admission price to pay. Fortunately for us Cal students, we get in free by showing our Cal ID card. It is $ 3.00 for non students. (Guess where I am going to chill every now and then?!) Then we wait our turn to go up the elevator with a real live elevator operator. I was so surprised to see a person collecting tickets and operating the elevator. What a rarity!
And once we reach our destination, we climb a small couple of flights of stairs and we are thus rewarded with beautiful views of the San Francisco Bay Area below the bells that ring four times a day. It is beautiful when there is no fog across the bay. There was a small layer of fog yet one still see both bridges on the west side. On the east side, the Big C near the Lawrence Hall of Science. On the south side, views of other areas of Cal and Berkeley heading towards Oakland. On the north side, the Berkeley Hills. Definitely worth the small price of admission and a place for students to take a time out to just chill and reflect while enjoying the view.
In my case, I will wait when the bells are silent for the rest of the day to pay a visit. Fiat Lux.

First time up The Campanile because it’s FREE on Cal Day, it was Sat 4÷20÷13. The line can be super long, I think I waited 30 min or more to go up it. Next time, just pay the $ 2 & go when it’s not Cal Day!
No backpacks allowed, nothing larger than a small box the guy said. No food or water either!
They only let about 8 – 9 people on the elevator at one time going up or down, so it takes a while. Only 1 elevator so you have to wait to go on it & on the the way down too.
Views are great if you get a clear day to see the Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, Oakland, etc. Don’t bother if it’s cloudy, rainy, or foggy I think.
Best to go up when it’s almost time for their concert, they play the carillon in a private room up there, it’s 61-​bells. That is so awesome to hear & see them playing! They did a special 2pm concert I guess for Cal Day, regular daily 7:30am, 12Noon, 6pm & longer 2pm on Sundays.
Hours:
* Monday-​Friday: 10:00 am-3:45 pm
* Saturday: 10:00 am-4:45 pm
* Sunday: 10:00 am-1:30 pm and 3:00 pm-4:45 pm
Website with more info:

So I’ve reserved Review #2,300 for a nostalgic trip back to my alma mater where I have to admit something embarrassing. In the four years I attended school at Berkeley, I had never been up the Campanile. Not sure why. After all, it’s the third tallest clock tower in the world (OK, I just read that on the UC site). I had been up the original Campanile in Venice’s Piazza San Marco twice in my life but never to the one in my own backyard… until this past fall when I was making Jamie W. look at the buildings that used to be my daily existence way back when. It was about 4:30 on a brisk Saturday afternoon, and they were about to close.
The young undergrad at the front desk was gathering up his backpack when I pleaded with him that we would appreciate it if we could take five minutes to go up there for a quick look. He acquiesced probably because he knows to respect his elders especially when they’re on their knees with two dollars between their teeth. We waited patiently for the elevator and once we were in, chatted up the operator who understandably looked like he was ready to go home, too. I told him I went to school here decades ago and that I had never been up before. I described how it was kind of a homecoming for me.
He then treated me like I was Meg Ryan in «Sleepless in Seattle» when the old elevator operator in the Empire State Building waited for her to look for Tom Hanks. Little did she know he was going to make «Cloud Atlas» later in his career and ruin his credibility as an actor. Anyway, we got up to the seventh floor where you climb a few flights of stairs to get to the observation deck underneath the old carillon bells (see photo). It should come as no surprise that the views are great, though what did surprise me is how much the campus has changed in the years since I attended, entire sections that didn’t look familiar to me at all.
The whole lawn area north of Doe Library was completely new to me (see photo), and Memorial Stadium looked like it had a major facelift (which it just did). By the time we took it all in, I realized it was fifteen minutes already, but neither the elevator guy or the young kid at the bottom gave us any grief for overstaying our welcome. In fact, they were both trying to tell a rather large Indian family that the tower was closing, something they obviously weren’t willing to accept. At least I was glad I finally checked it off my bucket list. Actually it wasn’t that much of a bucket, more like a teacup but definitely one worth sipping from.