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2024 rank: 2

Berkeley is quintessential Denver, blending historical charm with contemporary wants, and thanks to steadily rising home prices and consistently stellar school rankings, it’s been inching its way up the podium (third place in 2023 and second place in 2024). This year, the northwest neighborhood finally rises to the number one spot on our list of best hamlets in the city—it’s also the first time the average home price in the area has surpassed $1 million.

Berkeley encompasses a patchwork of Denver Squares, Victorians, modern townhomes, and duplexes. It’s residential—with two solid schools—but close to all the necessary amenities, anchored as it is by the abundance of restaurants, bars, and shops along Tennyson Street. And its northern edge is lined with two sprawling green spaces, including one of the city’s 16 off-leash dog parks.

The result is an ideal spot for young families, first-time home buyers, and empty nesters to settle down.

Population 9,168
2023 Average Sale Price $1,012,011

Neighborhood Rankings

Real Estate Rank 25
Schools Score 4
Safety Rank 25
X Factor Score 9

How we got these numbers: We utilized the city’s official list of 78 neighborhoods (only 73 had enough data to be included), and ranked them using four variables: home prices, crime data, school rankings, and an X factor score that accounts for things like access to open space, proximity to public transportation, and restaurant and shopping options. For more on our methodology, return to the main page.

Your Itinerary

Eat and Drink

Whatever you’re craving, you’re almost certain to find it in Berkeley. Choose from an array of savory breakfast sammies at newcomer Call Your Mother Deli; Michelin-recommended Asian bites at Hey Kiddo; vegetarian and vegan fare at Vital Root; or fry bread, a traditional American Indian dish, at Tocabe.

Two-year-old Mob Coffee slings strong cold brew and affordable breakfast burritos, while Bakery Four is all about fresh-baked goodies (the morning bun topped with orange zest is a must). When happy hour hits, head to socially conscious Berkeley Untapped, Berkeley Inn for dive bar vibes, or the Tatarian for craft cocktails and some of the funkiest wallpaper in town.

Hopheads have a number of area options, including Call to Arms Brewing Company and Empourium Brewing Company. If dark alleys don’t scare you, venture to Berkeley Alley Beer Co.; although this watering hole can be tough to track down (it’s tucked between Tennyson and Stuart streets), the Pucker Nuts sour is worth a little wandering.

Shop

Spending can be a little too easy along the Tennyson Street corridor. Wild West Baby Co. sells trendy clothes and toys for tiny ones. Locally owned Feral can help outfit you for your next adventure without breaking the bank thanks to its massive collection of used outdoor gear. Fashionistas should visit Lady Jones for women’s apparel or SecondLove Resale Boutique to find beloved brands (think: Reformation, Free People, Madewell) for a fraction of the price. Meanwhile, guys can pick up all-natural grooming products at Spruce, one of the “eight coolest barbershops in America,” according to Men’s Journal.

Miller Lane Mercantile brings a slice of the shore to Tennyson Street with its East Coast–inspired gifts and home decor. And for special occasions, there’s Sarah O.’s one-of-a-kind fine jewelry, which incorporates ethically sourced natural gemstones and diamonds.

While there’s never a bad time to stroll Tennyson, it’s especially delightful during the First Friday Art Walks, when live music, food trucks, and art demonstrations fill the thoroughfare.

Play Time

The community’s canines love Berkeley Lake Park for its aforementioned off-leash area. Aspiring Serena Williamses can spend afternoons on the tennis courts at Rocky Mountain Lake Park, while the smaller Cesar E. Chavez Park is beloved for its playground, which is almost always filled with tykes on sunny days. If you find yourself pining for the good ol’ days, pay a visit to Lakeside Amusement Park, which opened in 1908 on Sheridan Boulevard. Indoors, the Oriental Theater hosts an array of local and national acts.

Spots to Eat

Call Your Mother Deli

Hey Kiddo

Vital Root

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Tocabe, An American Indian Eatery

View All Restaurants in Berkeley

About This Neighborhood