Feel free to email us at margaretandjared@gmail.com
if you have any questions not answered here.
***Ladies, please be aware that we will be dancing
on a patio with thin spaces in the wood,
so wear your thicker heels instead of stilettos.***
Getting to Berkeley, California
If you are flying in for the wedding, Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are your best options. The Oakland airport is closer to Berkeley and generally less crowded, but the San Francisco airport serves more airlines. Both airports offer inexpensive public transportation (called BART) to Berkeley. You can also rent a car or take Lyft, Uber or a taxi from both airports.
Getting to the wedding venue
Comal is located a block from the Downtown Berkeley BART station. Because parking can be limited in this area, we highly recommend that you take BART or a Lyft, Uber or taxi to the wedding. Lyft and Uber are the easiest and fastest ways to get around the city, so if you're not yet familiar with these better-than-taxi services, we encourage you to download the apps on your cell phone.
If you choose to drive and can't find parking on the street, there are two parking lots nearby: Allston Way Garage (accessible from Center Street and Allston Way) and the Berkeley Way Surface Lot. Both lots are shown on this map.
Where to stay
Hotel Shattuck Plaza
(two blocks from venue, group rate is $209/night)
***special rate expires August 3rd***
We have secured a room block at this hotel because it is conveniently located just down the street from our wedding venue. To take advantage of the group rate ($209/night for a deluxe king or deluxe two double beds), please click here or call the hotel at 510-845-7300 and mention the Manson-Hanson wedding room block. If you would like to arrive earlier than Thursday, August 31st or check out later than Tuesday, September 5th, please make your reservation by phone. This historic hotel is in the heart of Downtown Berkeley and offers a good restaurant and bar. Parking is $10/weekend day and $20/weekday in the garage across the street.
Claremont Hotel
(2.5 miles from venue, rooms start at $269/night)
This iconic hotel is a beautiful sight to see in the Berkeley hills. It's a great option if you're looking to treat yourself to a memorable stay. The Claremont offers two pools, tennis courts, a fitness center, two restaurants and a luxurious spa. Parking is $30/day.
Click here for reservations.
Doubletree by Hilton on the Marina
(3 miles from venue, rooms start at $129/night)
Located on the Berkeley Marina, this hotel is surrounded by walking paths that give you a great view of the San Francisco bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. Amenities include a pool, fitness center and waterfront outdoor dining. Parking is $18/day.
Click here for reservations.
Graduate Berkeley
(1 mile from venue, rooms start at $170/night)
This boutique hotel offers comfortable, unique rooms and gives you a taste of Berkeley's quirky charm. UC Berkeley and Telegraph Avenue are just a block away, which makes this a lively neighborhood full of students and artists. Parking is $30/day.
Click here for reservations.
Bancroft Hotel
(1 mile from venue, rooms start at $119/night)
This small and charming bed and breakfast is located in a National Historic Landmark building that first served as the UC Berkeley College Woman's Club. It is just steps from the university, so you're likely to see some Cal Golden Bears shirts around. Parking is $15/day.
Click here for reservations.
Holiday Inn Express
(1.5 miles from venue, rooms start at $168/night)
Parking is complimentary at this hotel, but please be aware that it is located on a busy road.
Click here for reservations.
Other Accommodations
If you're traveling from out of town, San Francisco is a fun city to explore, so you might choose to stay there instead of Berkeley. Many San Francisco hotels are close to a BART station, and since our wedding venue is close to Downtown Berkeley BART, getting to the wedding will be easy. Please keep in mind that BART stops running at 12:30am.
As an alternative to traditional hotels, Airbnb and HomeAway are great for finding local houses and apartments that you can rent on a nightly basis.
Traveling with young children?
Children are welcome at the wedding, but please know that we are happy to provide babysitting services in the Hotel Shattuck Plaza, which is just two blocks from the wedding venue. If your children are at the age where they are likely to get restless during the ceremony or reception, we ask that you contact us at margaretandjared@gmail.com so we can arrange a babysitter. Thank you for understanding!
we do not have a wedding registry
We appreciate you thinking of us, but a fun celebration with our family and friends is all we want.
Things to do in our area
The Bay Area is known for offering something for everyone.
Outdoor Activities
Tilden Regional Park is a mere 2.5 miles from our wedding venue, but contains 2,000 acres of beautiful scenery and activities for the public. Hiking, mountain biking and golfing are favorite pastimes in the park.
If you like being on the water, there are several ways to explore the bay that separates Berkeley from San Francisco. Hornblower offers daytime and evening cruises that depart from the Berkeley Marina, or you can rent kayaks and even charter a private boat from suppliers on the marina.
We also recommend visiting the Muir Woods National Monument if you'd like to get up close and personal with California's majestic redwood trees. You'll feel tiny as you walk on a trail alongside these gigantic, ancient trees. Muir Woods is a 50 minute drive from Berkeley.
Wine Tasting
Visiting wine country in Napa and Sonoma is a must if you have the time. Each winery is unique, the views are breathtaking and the weather is unbeatable. September is harvest season and a popular time to visit. It's possible to do a day trip from Berkeley or San Francisco and enjoy a leisurely stop at 3-4 wineries, but if you have the time, it's worth staying a night in wine country. If you would prefer not to drive, there are many tour companies and private car services that will take you from winery to winery.
Food, Glorious Food
The Bay Area is renowned for its diverse and innovative cuisine. Berkeley is home to the "Gourmet Ghetto," an area of town where farm-to-table cuisine is a way of life. Chez Panisse, one of the country's most famous restaurants, is here, as well as the first Peet's Coffee and the ever popular Cheese Board Collective. Tip: While Chez Panisse's prix fixe menu is normally worth the splurge, the upstairs cafe is more casual and very tasty.
San Francisco is even higher on the food chain, offering more amazing restaurants than even a local can keep track of. We do have some favorites, and we're happy to give you recommendations.
Culture and Sightseeing
San Francisco and Berkeley are known for their eclectic and vibrant cultural history, and the result is an area rich in arts and sciences. Art enthusiasts will appreciate SF MOMA and the de Young, as well as BAMPFA which is conveniently located in downtown Berkeley. The Exploratorium and California Academy of Sciences' world-class aquarium and planetarium are fun for kids and adults alike.
When people think of San Francisco, they often picture the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and colorful Victorian houses. Truth be told, we think all these things are worth seeing if you're new to the area. The Golden Gate Bridge is best experienced from a landing at the south end of the bridge that gives you an up-close view of the structure. The Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable car routes are the most popular, taking you from downtown San Francisco to Fisherman's Wharf over steep hills that offer stunning views of the bay. As for those colorful houses you see on postcards...they're called The Painted Ladies, and you'll find them at Alamo Square.
In all likelihood, someone somewhere has told you that this town is full of hippies. While that's a bit of an exaggeration today, it speaks to the fact that major counterculture movements have taken shape here. North Beach in San Francisco was home to the Beat Generation, and City Lights Bookstore is a landmark for book lovers. Haight-Ashbury was the epicenter for hippies and the Summer of Love. If you're a fan of live music, be sure to check out a show at the historic Fillmore, the stage for legendary performances in the 60s.