I never wanted to go to UC Berkeley. AlI my life, I have been suffocated by the blue and gold with countless field trips to see the campus in all of its glory. And we can’t forget about the many proud alumni in my community with their UC Berkeley car decals and aggressive collegiate gear. When college applications came around, the last thing I wanted to do was attend undergrad close to home, even if it was the No. 1 public university.
After spending years gallivanting through the Bay — inhaling gallons of iced coffee at Philz, soaking up excessive amounts of sun at Dolores Park and devouring mouthwatering pizza from Cheese Board — I wanted to experience something new. The angsty high school version of myself wanted to pack up her belongings, hop on a plane and explore a new area. Up until this point, I had my eyes set on UCLA — I still remember the tears of joy that trickled down my face when I was accepted. These tears, however, were nowhere to be found when I received my letter from UC Berkeley. When I saw a glimpse of the confetti animation on my screen that spring, a feeling of dread and uncertainty took over my body.
After my acceptance, I was able to visit the school with a fresh pair of eyes and was actually able to see myself there. At the end of the day, UC Berkeley seemed like the best option despite my desire to venture beyond my parents’ reach. As August rolled around, I watched my friends pack their bags and embark on their college journeys, while I drove on Highway 13, hopped off at Tunnel Road and made my way to Unit 3.
The more people I met at UC Berkeley, the more I realized that many of them traveled a long way to get here. Although I did encounter fellow Bay Area residents, the majority of them were not even as local as I was. I envied those who were from distant places, as their transitions to college were even more monumental — not only was it a change of pace in terms of academics, but it was also a completely different setting. To watch their excitement as they tried Yogurt Park or Ici for the first time, or even just walked down Telegraph Avenue, was something I wished I could have shared with them. But for me, these experiences had long lost their novelty. So while we were all jumping through the hoops of being freshmen, it was in those moments that I felt like the excitement of my college experience was a bit diluted.
My feelings began to change once I realized the benefits of being a Bay Area local. I was suddenly the guide for where to go for coffee, or a day trip to the city. I was able to share some of my favorite places with my friends, such as Mexican hot chocolate from Casa de Chocolates, the bulk food and produce sections at Berkeley Bowl and fish tacos from Cholita Linda. Frequenting these familiar places with my college friends allowed me to revisit the fond memories I had there, as well as form new ones. Once I began writing the Clog’s “Around town with Allison,” a local’s guide to the Bay Area, I was able to share my favorite spots with those beyond my social circle. For busy college students, it’s easy to be constrained by the route of the 51B. As an Oakland resident, I wanted to share the perks of living in such an amazing place so that when people say they lived in the Bay, they actually lived in the Bay.
Through “Around town with Allison,” I was also able to explore more of the place that I have been calling home my entire life. I discovered the most delectable chocolate silk pie to ever bless my taste buds at Dora’s and lived my best dairy-free life at Mr. Dewie’s Cashew Creamery. While many of my pieces featured businesses, I was also able to explore the spaces in between these establishments — specifically, the murals that embellish the walls of Oakland and Berkeley and the individuals behind these pieces. Besides highlighting businesses and artists, I also made guides for neighborhoods such as Temescal, Hayes Valley and the Mission. Through the process, I’ve had the pleasure of discovering new places to add to my rotation and meeting business owners — things I wouldn’t have been able to do if I went to school elsewhere.
Now that my time at UC Berkeley is coming to an end, I will continue to visit the places that have brought me so much joy — the old and the new. As I make my weekly trips to Berkeley Bowl, I will remember the times I went there as a child in addition to the excitement among my friends when this fine establishment began offering kombucha on tap. As I walk through campus, I will remember the awe of seeing the school for the first time as a third grader and my last day of on-campus classes as a senior.
Although I wasn’t able to explore a new place like I had originally envisioned for myself, my love for the Bay has grown even stronger in the past four years. From Oaktown to the city, I’ve discovered small local businesses, developed friendships and immersed myself even more in the rich culture that marinates in the melting pot that is the Bay Area. And for that, I am forever grateful.
Allison Fong was the spring 2020 deputy special issues editor. She joined The Daily Californian in fall 2017 as a blogger and was assistant blog editor in spring and fall 2019. She is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in Asian American and Asian diaspora studies.