Scharffen Berger Chocolate

914 Heinz Avenue

Berkeley, CA 94707

www.scharffenberger.com

If you thought that Ghirardelli was the only chocolate factory in town, then you have been missing out. This factory near downtown Berkeley gives free public tours (with complimentary chocolate samples!) and a great café to relax in.

Zachary's Chicago Pizza, Inc.

1853 Solano Ave.

Berkeley, CA 94707

www.zacharys.com

Missing the taste of a good deep-dish pizza? This pizzeria is the best in the Bay Area. They have thin crust, Chicago style, stuffed and deep dish that will make everyone happy. They also have locations in Oakland and San Ramon.

William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre

Off Gayley Road

Berkeley, CA 94704

facilities.calperfs.berkeley.edu/greek/

The Greek Theatre, as it is known to locals, is a great place to see a concert or just to hang out. With spectacular views, the theatre is a beautiful spot. I have even heard that it's a great place to take a hook-up, but you'd have to ask Roxy.

The Cheeseboard Collective

1504 Shattuck Ave.

Berkeley, CA 94704

www.cheeseboardcollective.coop

This collective is a classic Berkeley business. The bakery and cheese shop are wholly owned by the collective's members. Looking for a different twist? Go to the pizza shop with the same name on the same street.

Addis Ethiopian Restaurant

6100 Telegraph Ave

Oakland, CA 94609

www.addisethiopian.com

Whether you're an addict or a virgin with respect to Ethiopian food, this is a good place to check out. Having been in business over 10 years, it's said to be one of the more tasty Ethiopian options in the East Bay. If you're a fan of meat-oriented meals, you can't go wrong with the reasonably priced meat combo (an assortment of three dishes for $12.99). The zilzil tibs (strips of marinated beef) are also widely reported to be top-notch. Mmm.

Berkeley Iceland

2727 Milvia Street

Berkeley, CA 94703-2206

www.berkeleyiceland.com

So you might be in California, but that doesn't mean it has to consist of only sunny days and palm trees, right? This indoor rink offers what those from colder climates might be missing during these dreary winter months<\p>--<\p>good old-fashioned ice skating. College students can get in for only $6 (skate rental included) on Thursdays from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Not bad. And if that's not enough to convince you, you'll be happy to know that Berkeley Iceland takes "continual efforts to open the world of ice skating to individuals in an environment free from intimidation, harassment or bias," as prominently announced on the facility's Web site. We weren't aware this was a major problem in recreational ice-skating. It just goes to show that even ice-skaters can be bigoted jerks at times.

Sather Tower (the Campanile)

University Avenue and Oxford Street

Berkeley, CA 94720

www.berkeley.edu/visitors/campanile.html

Berkeley might call it "an enduring symbol of UC Berkeley." We prefer to refer to it as the poor man's Hoover Tower (although according to Intermission tower expert Brandon David Silberstein, Sather Tower<\p>--<\p>a.k.a. the Campanile<\p>--<\p>is apparently taller than Hoover by a good 22 feet. Damn Berkeley. Isn't our losing to you in football each year enough already?) Oh well, that height advantage gives you all the more reason to check out Sather (and perhaps plot ways to transplant it back to Stanford campus while you're enjoying that damned 22-foot-longer ride to the top).

Jaguar Karaoke

4390 Telegraph Ave.

Oakland, CA 94620

www.yelp.com/biz/seYfZ5DAIa-W4p7NuPA-Nw

According to East Bay Express, this is the "crooningest karoake spot" in the East Bay. Whatever that means. We just know that belting out K-pop at 3 a.m. is the best thing in the world, and this is the place to do it. And if you get bored of actually singing the songs in their musical catalogue (worry not, it's fairly extensive and includes plenty of tunes in English!), you can always fall back on beat-boxing with your buddies (who said your roommate can't free-style?). Don't worry if the owner gives you a weird look<\p>--<\p>you know that's exactly what he'll be doing when he closes up shop an hour from then.

Pyramid Brewery & Alehouse

901 Gilman Street

Berkeley, CA 94710

www.pyramidbrew.com/alehouses/berkeley.php

We've never actually been here before, but we've heard great things about it. Pryramid's beers are delicious, and the restaurant is hella-highly ranked in Yahoo! Travel. Seems like a figurative two-thumbs-up to us! Make sure to get a tour of the brewing process if you happen to find yourself there at 5:30 p.m. on a weekday or 2 or 4 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday. Homer Simpson would be proud.