Berkeley

Berkeley, city in Alameda County, western California, on the northeastern shore of San Francisco Bay. The city is a leading educational center, seat of the University of California at Berkeley, Armstrong University, and numerous research institutes (including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory). Manufactures include pharmaceuticals, computer software, electronics, toiletries, printed materials, food products, camping equipment, and metal products. Berkeley has a fine marina and is a water sports and fishing center. Points of interest include many small bookshops and renowned restaurants; the Berkeley Rose Garden; the University of California Botanical Garden; and the University of California Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. The site of the city, part of the Rancho San Antonio land grant of 1820, was purchased by developers and settled in 1853 as Ocean View. It was incorporated as Berkeley in 1878. The city is named for the Irish philosopher George Berkeley. During the 1960s and 1970s, students at the University of California campus led the national protest movement against American involvement in the Vietnam War (1959-1975), and for many the city became a symbol of dissent. Population 103,328 (1980); 102,724 (1990); 102,743 (2000); 100,744 (2005 estimate).