Does San Francisco/Berkeley have good nightlife for 18 year olds? (Los Angeles: house, dorms)

[sonrisamoon]

Here's the story.

I'm 18 and I want to take a gap year before attending university. I'm going to be a junior transfer student if I enroll for the Fall of 2009.
So I'll be 18 and a junior in college.
However, I'm reconsidering my decision to enroll as a junior at 18 and instead enroll when I'm 20. Several of my friends, who were college juniors at 18 as well, have told me that if they could do it all over again, they would take 2 years and work to save for college and travel the world. They also said that since most of their courses were upper-division and their dorm mates were traditional junior transfers (aged 20-21), it was hard to maintain a lot of their friendships because the 21 year olds would go out often, leaving the 18 year olds back in the dorms. Also, since the 18 year old junior tranfers had friendships established with traditional juniors, doing things with other 18-20 year olds (freshmen and sophomores) was difficult to do.

My 18 year old friends who attended Berkeley say it was tough because the majority of San Francisco's nightlife was 21 and up. The thing is, I had San Francisco and Berkeley at the top of my list on places to move to and work before I go to university. Is there great nightlife at all for 18 year olds? Please be honest. It would save me a load of trouble.

I would move to New York City or cities in Europe, but I want to keep my California residency for tuition purposes when I transfer. If anybody can give me any tips on keeping my California residency while working in another city or country, please tell me.

San Francisco/ Berkeley really draws me in because of the public transportation and weather. I've lived in Southern California all my life and I've come to despise driving and smog. I'm sick of people's reckless driving and losing years of my life due to air quality. Los Angeles is not a good option for me.

Thank you for reading. And any replies are greatly appreciated.

[iSlowpoke]

In a word...no. All clubs/bars are 21 and older. There's not a whole lot to do if you're under 21 except go to a frathouse kegger.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by sonrisamoon

Here's the story.

I'm 18 and I want to take a gap year before attending university. I'm going to be a junior transfer student if I enroll for the Fall of 2009.
So I'll be 18 and a junior in college.
However, I'm reconsidering my decision to enroll as a junior at 18 and instead enroll when I'm 20. Several of my friends, who were college juniors at 18 as well, have told me that if they could do it all over again, they would take 2 years and work to save for college and travel the world. They also said that since most of their courses were upper-division and their dorm mates were traditional junior transfers (aged 20-21), it was hard to maintain a lot of their friendships because the 21 year olds would go out often, leaving the 18 year olds back in the dorms. Also, since the 18 year old junior tranfers had friendships established with traditional juniors, doing things with other 18-20 year olds (freshmen and sophomores) was difficult to do.

My 18 year old friends who attended Berkeley say it was tough because the majority of San Francisco's nightlife was 21 and up. The thing is, I had San Francisco and Berkeley at the top of my list on places to move to and work before I go to university. Is there great nightlife at all for 18 year olds? Please be honest. It would save me a load of trouble.

I would move to New York City or cities in Europe, but I want to keep my California residency for tuition purposes when I transfer. If anybody can give me any tips on keeping my California residency while working in another city or country, please tell me.

San Francisco/ Berkeley really draws me in because of the public transportation and weather. I've lived in Southern California all my life and I've come to despise driving and smog. I'm sick of people's reckless driving and losing years of my life due to air quality. Los Angeles is not a good option for me.

Thank you for reading. And any replies are greatly appreciated.

Because of drinking laws most night life establishments are limited to 21 and over, this doesn't matter if you choose Berkeley or someplace else..By the way, what is it about the weather that is attracting you to the bay area, just curious? As for traffic, same question, do you thinky San Francisco will not have massive traffic problems? It is awful!!!

Now, as for working in another state, that is easy, just keep your residency in Calif. That should not be a problem, I don't think..

Nita

[Jonotastic]

There are quite a few house parties on and around campus...at least there were at the University of San Francisco. Also, I'd say about 75% of students under 21 have fake ids...which are easy to get and almost every club accepts them especially if you are a girl. I never had a problem with mine.

If you want to party off campus, but don't want to get a fake, there are option, just mostly on Thursday. The other 18+ clubs the crowds are a bit ghetto, but if you're with friends, you'll still have fun.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

[skywalker400]

Berkeley is more of a house party town, though there are bars around. Blakes on Telegraph is 18+ most nights Im pretty sure, its the only place with a real dancefloor that comes to mind too. If your looking to go clubbing every night and that type of scene you're better off in Europe. Partying in Berkeley is more about chillin with ur buds and gettin hella stoned.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by Jonotastic

There are quite a few house parties on and around campus...at least there were at the University of San Francisco. Also, I'd say about 75% of students under 21 have fake ids...which are easy to get and almost every club accepts them especially if you are a girl. I never had a problem with mine!

If the bars in the Haight enforced the 21 age limit, they'd lose all their customers....particularly the Toronado.....