Rockridge has become one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the East Bay, and the shopping is mostly upscale. Downtown Berkeley becomes the North Shattuck shopping area once you cross University Avenue. People come from miles around to browse this concentrated area of mostly upscale specialty shops in west Berkeley. Shops, restaurants, and cafes line this pleasant, one-mile stretch into Albany, with movie houses at each end. This world-famous south campus shopping area centers on about five blocks of Telegraph Avenue.
Street vendors add to the eclectic, urban mix.
People's Park is on Haste Street, just east of Telegraph. Of course, there are plenty of good, reasonable places to eat. It's easy walking distance between the two areas, but bring your car for everything you'll buy. Gilman A star restaurant serving rustic Mediterranean cuisine. The salad bar is especially popular, and there's a pleasant pub.