Strawberry Creek - The Water That Chose the Campus

A stop on UC Berkeley Campus Walk, a free self-guided tour.

Listen for running water. This shady grove beside Strawberry Creek is the Grinnell Natural Area, one of the wildest corners of campus. The creek flows down from the Berkeley Hills, and it is a big reason the university is here at all: its founders valued it as a source of fresh water, and the campus grew up along its banks.

The creek's story is far older than the university. For generations the Huichin Ohlone set up seasonal camps along its length, fishing and gathering here. Later the creek was dammed into small reservoirs, then partly forced into culverts and fouled by runoff.

In 1987 the campus launched a restoration program to track down pollution, stop harmful discharges and control erosion. Water quality improved, and native fish such as three-spined sticklebacks were brought back. Much of the creek still runs open to the sky through campus, so you will cross it again later on this walk.

Take a moment on the path; it is one of the quietest spots in Berkeley.

Getting here: Cross the bridge north of Sather Gate, then follow the creekside paths west about 400 meters to the wooded Grinnell Natural Area.

Did you know?: Water quality tests on the creek's insect life rose from poor in 1986 to good by 1991, a few years after the restoration began.

Photo op: Find a spot where the path meets the water and frame the creek winding under the trees.

Strawberry Creek - The Water That Chose the Campus

Stops on this tour