To register for an event or for more information, click the link for any event. All times are Pacific Time.
Questions? Email [email protected]

I’ve received a few messages about the beauty of our new library location. Apparently the windows to the garden make it a very peaceful location where our ancestors can shine in on us and light the way to our brickwall-removals.
Or so I hope!
Here are some photos:

And some information from our website about visiting (https://www.californiaancestors.org/directions-and-parking/):
California Genealogical Society Library
1841 Berkeley Way
Berkeley, CA, 94703
Tel. (510) 663-1358
Open Thursday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Non-members are welcome for a daily use fee.
PIC
Entry to the building is through the side yard to the left of the view above.
BART
- North Berkeley Station: Exit on Sacramento St., turn right and walk three blocks to Berkeley Way. Turn left and walk up Berkeley Way 4 blocks to Martin Luther King Dr. The Library is on the left side across from the Trader Joe’s parking garage.
- Downtown Berkeley Station: Exit the station on Shattuck Avenue at the Center Street end. Continue straight on Shattuck for three blocks to Berkeley Way, turn left, and walk 4 blocks to Martin Luther King Drive. The library is across MLK on the right side, across from the Trader Joe’s parking garage.
BUS
There are numerous ACTransit bus routes on University Avenue. Get off at Martin Luther King Drive and walk a block past the Trader Joe’s to Berkeley Way. The library is across Berkeley Way on the left side. You can get more specific routing from your favorite map site or app, or useMoovit, the Bay Area transit guide app.
AMTRAK
The nearest station is Horton St. in Emeryville. The ACTransit 27 bus takes about a half hour from there to University Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive. Alight there and walk one block past the Trader Joe’s to Berkeley Way. The library is across the street on the left.
DRIVING
From the East Bay via CA24 – Take CA24 West to CA13 North. This turns into Ashby Avenue. Continue to Martin Luther King Drive. Turn right on Martin Luther King. The library will be on the left one block past University Avenue, about a mile.
From the East Bay via 580 – Take 580 North to Martin Luther King Drive, exit 19C. Turn right on Martin Luther King. The library is on the left one block past University Avenue, about 2.9 miles.
From San Francisco and the Peninsula – San Mateo or Dumbarton Bridges, use the South Bay directions below. Bay Bridge, take 80 East to University Avenue. Turn right and proceed to Martin Luther King Drive. Turn left on Martin Luther King, the library is one block on the left.
From the South Bay – Take 880 North to 80 (Berkeley). Exit at University Avenue. Turn right and proceed to Martin Luther King Drive. Turn left on Martin Luther King, the library is one block on the left.
From the North – Take 80 West to University Avenue in Berkeley. Head east on University to Martin Luther King Drive. Turn left on Martin Luther King, the library is one block on the left.
PARKING
On-Street Parking: There is limited on-street parking around the library, some metered, some not. There isn’t any on Berkeley Way in front of the library, but there is on the other side of Martin Luther King. Pay close attention to parking signs, especially for street-sweeping days: Berkeley aggressively tickets vehicles obstructing street sweeping.
Center Street Garage: Large parking garage on Center St. between Shattuck and Milvia, about 5 blocks. $3/hour for up to 4 hours, then $25/day. 5:15AM – 1:00AM.
Air Garage: Large parking garage on Alliston St. between Shattuck and Millvia, about 6 blocks. Rates are variable. 7:00 AM to midnight most days.
Note also that Berkeley Way is a short almost cull-de-sac in front of the library: You can enter it eastbound on Berkeley Way (coming from Grant) but you can’t leave it going west.
Helpful Links
Events: https://www.californiaancestors.org/events-and-education/
Special Interest Groups: https://www.californiaancestors.org/special-interest-groups-for-members/
Calendar view: https://www.californiaancestors.org/cgs_calendar/
Tips & Talk: Oakland FamilySearch Center Family History Classes: https://www.familysearch.org/en/centers/oakland_california/classes
JUL
2026
