Tightwad Hill, Elevated viewpoint near California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, United States.
Tightwad Hill is a natural earthen mound beside California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, offering a direct line of sight to the football field, downtown Berkeley, and the San Francisco Bay. It sits right against the stadium's outer wall and is reachable on foot from the UC Berkeley campus.
The mound formed in 1923 from the earth dug out during the stadium's construction and was never leveled. Shortly after the stadium opened, spectators began gathering on it to watch games from above.
Generations of students have gathered here to follow games without buying a ticket, and that habit is still alive today. On game days, visitors sit on the slope, hear the crowd from the stadium, and look directly down at the field.
The climb takes some effort, so wearing sturdy shoes is a good idea. There are no benches or fixed seats, so bringing a blanket or cushion will make the stay more comfortable.
When renovation plans threatened the spot in 2006, fans formed the Save Tightwad Hill organization to protect it. The name itself tells the story: it was always the place where you could watch without spending a cent on admission.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
