Berkeley is the site of the University of California, Berkeley, the oldest of the University of California system, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. It is also home to the Graduate Theological Union. The city is noted as one of the most politically liberal in the nation, with one study placing it as the third most liberal city in the United States.

As of the census of 2000, there were 102,743 people, 44,955 households, and 18,656 families residing in the city. The population density was 9,823.3 people per square mile (3,792.5/km²), one of the highest in California. There were 46,875 housing units at an average density of 4,481.8/sq mi (1,730.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 59.17% White, 16.39% Asian, 13.63% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 4.64% from other races, and 5.57% from two or more races. 9.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Points of interest
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
Berkeley Marina
Berkeley History Center (1931 Center St.)
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Berkeley Rose Garden
Hearst Greek Theatre (home of the annual Berkeley Jazz Festival)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Lawrence Hall of Science
Regional Parks Botanic Garden
University of California Botanical Garden

Courtesy of www.wikipedia.org