Berkeley Community Theater is a landmark performance venue on the Berkeley High School campus in Berkeley, about 2.9 miles from a two-star hotel in Oakland. Its Art Deco exterior and Downtown Berkeley BART connection make the campus straightforward to locate; check event details and transit service before setting out.
- Address: 1930 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94704.
- Location: On the Berkeley High School campus, about 1½ blocks from Downtown Berkeley BART.
- Transit: Downtown Berkeley BART is served by AC Transit, including route 6 to Downtown Oakland and MacArthur BART.
- Access: Both theaters have wheelchair and companion seating.
About Berkeley Community Theater
Berkeley Community Theater is a city landmark and part of Berkeley High School’s Art Deco ensemble. The main entrance courtyard features sculpted reliefs and six allegorical figures representing the arts.
The theater was formally dedicated on June 5, 1950, after construction delays during World War II, and Berkeley designated it a city landmark in 1992. The Berkeley Historical Plaque Project describes the main theater as having 3,500 seats.
The complex also includes the Florence Schwimley Little Theater, named in January 1965 for a longtime Berkeley High School drama teacher. The school district’s theater-use document says both theaters have wheelchair and companion seating.
How do you find the venue and plan the trip?
The theater is at 1930 Allston Way, on the Berkeley High School campus. If you’re arriving by BART, Downtown Berkeley station is about 1½ blocks away. The station is at 2160 Shattuck Avenue, between Allston Way and Addison Street.
For step-free access, wheelchair ramps are at the building’s East and West Gallery entrances. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are in the A Building through the East Gallery. If you need these facilities, allow time to reach the correct entrance from your approach to campus.
The school district’s theater-use document mentions metered street parking and public garages, as well as two rentable district lots with 130 spaces in total. Metered parking hours and availability can change, so check the school district’s official site before you go.
Tickets, event schedules and venue access
Ticketing and event schedules depend on the performance, so confirm the details with the event organizer before travelling. The venue information here establishes the theater’s location and access features, but does not set out ticket prices or a shared schedule for all events.
For access planning, both the main theater and the Florence Schwimley Little Theater have wheelchair and companion seating. The ramps at the East and West Gallery entrances provide wheelchair access to the building; accessible restrooms are in the A Building via the East Gallery.
How do you get from Berkeley Community Theater to Oakland?
Downtown Berkeley BART connects the venue area with the wider Bay Area, while AC Transit route 6 links Downtown Berkeley with Downtown Oakland and MacArthur BART. That gives you a bus connection to Oakland and a transfer point at MacArthur; the MacArthur Station guide covers using that Oakland BART stop.
AC Transit route 800 connects Downtown Oakland and Downtown Berkeley daily from 12:30 a.m. to 6 a.m., every 30 minutes. Route 851 also connects the two areas at night, from midnight to 4 a.m. daily, every hour.
Route 6 runs from 5 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. on weekdays and weekends. These service patterns can change, so check AC Transit’s official route information before you travel.
For the return trip, check the last service that fits your event’s finish time, particularly if you’re relying on BART or a daytime bus. The late-night routes provide separate Oakland–Berkeley connections, and Oakland transit and walking options can help you plan the Oakland leg.
FAQs
Where is Berkeley Community Theater?
It is at 1930 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94704, on the Berkeley High School campus.
How close is the theater to BART?
Downtown Berkeley BART station is about 1½ blocks from the theater.
Does Berkeley Community Theater have wheelchair access?
Both theaters have wheelchair and companion seating. Wheelchair ramps are at the East and West Gallery entrances, and accessible restrooms are in the A Building through the East Gallery.
Which AC Transit routes connect Berkeley and Oakland?
Route 6 connects Downtown Berkeley with Downtown Oakland and MacArthur BART. Routes 800 and 851 are night-only services between Downtown Oakland and Downtown Berkeley; check AC Transit for current service details.