[SD987]

I'd agree with Bruce in that you could probably do a little better than parking right in Berkeley. However, it sounds like you'll be in the Rockridge/Claremont area where I'd say you're absolutely OK, as that area is fairly upscale (retired professors, SF professionals, that sort of thing). Rockridge/Claremont borders Berkeley and is about five miles from campus (the "bad" part of town).

Also remember that BART runs right through there, so if you need to park a little bit away from where you're staying you could actually park at or near a BART station, which would be no worse than the street, in my mind (depending on which station). The BART station in Rockridge is on the main shopping thoroughfare and might be a good choice

East Bay doesn't have that many great driving roads around Berkeley plus there's alot of traffic. If you don't want to venture too far from Claremont you may want to drive down to Berkeley Marina. They have a nice restaurant facing SF, with a promenade to walk on.