Southside in Berkeley in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Berkeley City Club

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, January 2, 2024

1. Berkeley City Club Marker

Inscription.
The Berkeley City Club, organized in 1927, was one of the area’s earliest attempts by women to social, civic and cultural progress. The building, constructed in 1929, is one of the outstanding works of noted California architect Julia Morgan, whose successful interpretation of Moorish and Gothic elements in this monumental structure created a major landmark of California design.

Erected 1977 by California State Department of Parks and Recreation, in cooperation with the Berkeley City Club. (Marker Number 908.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Women. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 37° 52.045′ N, 122° 15.767′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in Southside. It is on Durant Avenue near Ellsworth Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2315 Durant Avenue Berkeley CA, Berkeley CA 94704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: McCreary-Greer House (within shouting distance of this marker); 2401 Bancroft Way

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(about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); UC Berkeley Korean War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Memory of Ed Sanclemente (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brent James Woodall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Clint Evans Baseball Field (approx. 0.2 miles away); Howard Automobile Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); g. Paul Bishop Studio (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.

More about this marker. This is a California Registered Historical Landmark, No. 908. The marker is on the right-hand side of the front entrance.

Regarding Berkeley City Club. The building, built along Gothic Romanesque lines with Moorish influences, opened in 1930, and became the home of the Berkeley Women's City Club, then having a membership of more than 4,000. The building still functions as a guest house and dining facility. The building is a City of Berkeley Landmark and a California Historic Landmark, and is on the National Register of Historic Places (#77000282), as well.

Also see . . .
1. Berkeley City Club Web Page

Berkeley City Club Front Entrance image. Click for full size.

December 7, 2008

2. Berkeley City Club Front Entrance

. Describes the club and its present day offerings and services. (Submitted on February 5, 2009.)

2. Berkeley Landmark's History of the Berkeley City Club. Daniella Martin's lovingly detailed history of the building, including many photos of comparing the building as it was with how it looks now. (Submitted on February 5, 2009.)

3. Images of the Berkeley City Club. A collection of pictures of the Berkeley Women’s City Club, by Mary Ann Sullivan. (Submitted on February 5, 2009.)

4. California SP Berkeley Women's City Club. National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form, 1977

Statement of Significance: The Berkely City Club is a most significant structure of a type in a region, and is notable as a Julia Morgan eclectic medieval/gothic residential club. It is an outstanding example of a style and architectural movement. It is an outstanding and well-maintained example of Julia Morgan's work. The building's scale, integration of structure, design and ornamentation, the dramatic spaces and use of light and shadow contribute to its overall excellence.

(Submitted on September 9, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

Berkeley City Club image. Click for full size.

December 7, 2008

3. Berkeley City Club

Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 2,985 times since then and 61 times this year. Last updated on December 20, 2016, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1. submitted on January 3, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2, 3. submitted on February 5, 2009. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.