South Hall: A Living Piece of UC Berkeley History
Discover South Hall, UC Berkeley's oldest building, a captivating example of Second Empire architecture and home to the School of Information.
South Hall, built in 1873, is the oldest building on the UC Berkeley campus and the sole survivor of the original university nucleus. Designed in the Second Empire style, it's home to the School of Information and a reminder of the university's rich history.
A brief summary to South Hall
- Berkeley, California, 94704, US
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Know before you go
Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring South Hall.
- Take a stroll around the building to appreciate the Second Empire architectural details, including the dormers and iron cresting.
- Find the smallest bear statue on campus, located on the balcony railing above the entrance.
- Visit the nearby Doe Library and Sather Tower (Campanile) to experience more of UC Berkeley's iconic landmarks.
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Getting There
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Walking
From the center of UC Berkeley's campus, head south towards Doe Library. Continue past the library, walking south until you reach Bancroft Way. Turn left (east) onto Bancroft Way. South Hall will be on your left, just before you reach Telegraph Avenue.
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Public Transport
Take BART to the Downtown Berkeley Station. From there, transfer to a Bear Transit shuttle. Several lines, including the C, P, and R lines, stop near South Hall. Check the Bear Transit website for schedules and real-time updates. Alternatively, AC Transit buses also serve the campus area. Disembark at a stop along Bancroft Way or Telegraph Avenue and walk to South Hall.
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Driving
From downtown Berkeley, drive south on Telegraph Avenue. Turn right onto Bancroft Way. South Hall will be on your left. Note that there is no public parking on the central UC Berkeley campus during business hours. Several public parking garages are located within a 5- to 10-minute walk, including the Lower Sproul Garage, RSF Garage, and Telegraph-Channing Garage. Parking rates vary, typically costing $4-5 per hour.
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