Looking out toward the Golden Gate Bridge which was unfortunately shrouded in fog and smoke.
Not only does the Lawrence Hall of Science have one of the most spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay Area but every exhibit is meant to be manhandled by children, casually monitored and guided in their experiments by high school students earning extra credit in biology, mathematics or chemistry.
The hall is actually a part of the University of California Berkeley. It was named in honor of the “Atom Smasher,” Ernest Lawrence, also the inventor of the cyclotron and the founder of the Lawrence Berkeley Labs. Over the years I’ve met and worked with many physicists who got their start at the “Lab.” I couldn’t understand them 99% of the time but they were never boring.
The back door leads to a chance to get wet and dirty as you learn about water management. Downstairs are classrooms where kids learn about lizards and volcanos and all that cool stuff in a more formal setting.
For bigger kids, Berkeley offers a different sort of entertainment:
The Ashkenaz, which has been around since 1973, is run by a non-profit organization whose goal is to showcase music and dance from around the world. The idea is not to listen or watch but to participate and they’re very serious. If you come, you dance.
Berkeley is known for its eccentric population and if you wander around up near the campus you’ll see just about anything. When I worked there, the most famous eccentric was the Naked Guy, a 6’5” former athlete who insisted on attending class in nothing but shoes. Clothes, he claimed were oppressive and for a time, no one said a word. It was, after all, Berkeley.
Then there was the Hate Man, a former journalist and Peace Corps worker who espoused the doctrine of hate and “oppositionality.” To start a conversation with him, you had to say “Fuck you.”
When he died, it made the national news and the denizens of People’s Park, a homeless encampment smack dab in the middle of Berkeley, made a memorial for him, which he would have hated.
Check out other doors from around the world at Norm’s place.
Saying nothing in particular 
Very interesting! The sky is spectacular!! Strange architecture in front of it, though.
That’s a sculpture! I didn’t get many pictures as I was trying to keep up with a 15 month old.
I was going to say it’s tiny. 😀
Fantastic photos 💜
Thanks!
💜💜
I learn so much from you. Berkeley is a fascinating place and your photos are outstanding. That blue sky… *sigh*
Thanks Ally! Berkeley has a lot of great doors but I wasn’t in charge of the trip so I had to make do with what I could find.
I didn’t know Berkeley is such a cool place 😄 great post!
They pride themselves on being accepting and peace loving! Nice to meet you!
I was on the campus for a brief walking tour back in the mid-70s. I learned much more today. Thanks.
That was when Naked Man went to school! I guess you missed him. What a shame! ; )
I was there in early August.
Yeah we would never have “naked man” in any schools here ’cause winter, eh 😉
I’ve always known that Berkeley was an eclectic place but your personal insights really drive that point home.
And you got some top-notch doors too. Bravo!
Thanks Norm. Naked man wore a coat when it was cold or raining but would strip when he got into the classroom.
Is the Science Hall engaging for a 7 year old? (The average kid wasn’t impressed when it first opened). We were going to take our grand-daughters to the Exploratorium but maybe we will drive over the hill instead.
I was surprised that our seven year old didn’t want to leave. However, many of the experiments need to be explained by an adult or one of the HS volunteers – so it’s best to go first thing in the morning when the crowds are smaller and they can get more one on one help. And it’s a lot cheaper than the Ex and easier to get to, park, etc.
They both got stuck in one place: the 7 year old with the Leggos and the 10 yr old built a roller coaster. We could not tear them away to see anything else – but that was ok!
Reblogged this on glynhockey and commented:
A fascinating place to visit.
Thanks Glyn! It’s definitely a town that celebrates its eccentricities!
This is the kind of place I love. It’s eclectic in both an interesting and educational way.
Naked Guy takes going commando to an entirely different level and Hate Guy would scare the bejeezus out of me.
There are a lot of scarier folks at People’s Park! It’s a part of town most people steer clear of. I caught a glimpse of Naked from time to time on campus and he pretty much kept to himself. Poor guy got more and more paranoid and ended up taking his life.
Jan, you’ve outdone yourself. What a marvelous post full of entertaining as well as unexpected things. I enjoyed each item. Happy weekend hugs!
Wow! That was really neat! Thanks for sharing that!
I am so sorry for the Naked Man.
Yes, it was a sad story.