Tired of hearing your dorm neighbors slamming doors? Roommates getting on your nerves? Are all of the glass conference rooms in K-Hall full? Do you just want to able to hear your own thoughts? Well here are some places to relax, be alone or get work done!
1. Twin Peaks Terrace
This is a perfect tranquil place, away from the hustle and bustle of campus. A big plus? It’s only across the street. Twin Peaks Terrace is located next to the Zief Law Library. To get here, you need to cross the intersection between the church and the library, go up the initial steps and walk towards the library doors but don’t go in. Look to your left (or ahead, depending on how your standing) you will see a staircase that seems to be going up to something. Take those stairs up, and you are at Twin Peaks Terrace. The Terrace offers wonderful views of Twin Peaks down to the bay. It is often home to Hummingbirds, and you can often see them chasing each other through the air. If you have good enough eyes you can see the cars climbing up the pathway. If you’re lucky you can see the fog roll in and cover the trees and houses which should be a must on your San Francisco “things to do” list.
2. Koret Deli
If you have never set foot in Koret, then you may not know the place I’m talking about. Those who do? Good for you. Seemingly an unconventional place to study or relax, the Deli offers wonderful views of San Francisco. Located on the entrance level of Koret, walk across the bridge and make a right to face the huge panel of windows. Just like Twin Peaks, you can get a glimpse of Golden Gate Bridge, Marin County, and the area of San Francisco leading towards Land’s End. Just like Twin Peaks, if you get there in time, you can see the sun settings and the fog rolling in. Bonus: the Deli has really good food. Try a sandwhich or one of their tasty smoothies when you need some study fuel.
3. Law Library Lounge Area
Another hidden area in the Law School, the Law Library offers a great area to study and take in the views that surround us. Just like to get to Twin Peaks Terrace, cross the intersection between the church and the Parker bus stop, make your way up the steps to where the entrance of Zief is located. Instead of going to the left to enter the library, turn right. A set of doors are there, enter, make a left and continue going straight until you hit the lounge area.
4. K-Hall Rooftop
A really good place to study in K-Hall besides the conference rooms is the rooftop! I love visiting the rooftop because it is usually empty and quiet. You don’t get a view of the fog and bay like at Twin Peaks or the Koret Deli, but you can see downtown and Malloy. It’s a great place to just chill and meditate. Getting to the rooftop is a bit tricky but doable. If you take the elevator up to the third floor from the main lobby of K-Hall, make a right but take about five steps and stop. You should be under the exit sign and printer area, go towards the exit and the rows of offices lining the back. It will look like lines of clothes hanging on a wire, go towards the door and there you are on the rooftop. It is open almost every day and closes around 6pm. Another way to get there is taking the second elevator that’s down the steps next to the Asian Pacific Studies offices, click the button for 3A and you will be where the coveted glass window offices are. If you go straight towards the sign that says ‘3rd Floor Annex’, and look left, the door will literally be in your face.
5. K-Hall Annex
Now, I use this term broadly because I really love all of K-Hall’s Annexes. It’s a tricky place to figure out, but if you’re willing to get lost and have an open mind it’s so cool. My favorite Annex is the 4th floor annex where the English Department is. (Not being bias at all, considering I’m an english major…) The sofa there is comfy and its next to a lot of department offices, so theres not a ton of foot traffic and noise from students. If you go after 5, it’s almost always empty and it’s a lot of couches and lounge areas where you can sit and just chill doing homework and/or studying. To get to the Annex you can take the elevator to the right of the K-Hall main entrance and select any floor with “A” next to it. Then just explore and find a place you feel comfortable!
Happy Studying!