Getting to the Advanced Light Source

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (also known as Berkeley Lab) is a federal laboratory where we conduct basic (i.e., non-classified) research . 

However, access is restricted to employees (who have a badge), affiliates and people with a visitor access.

Finding a parking spot on the hill between 9am and 3pm can be difficult, and it is recommended to take the public transport and the shuttle when possible 

Visitor pass

Ask you host to fill out a visitor access form, at least two days in advance (otherwise, call site access directly, at x4551). The visitor can access the lab either using the shuttle (they need to be emailed a shuttle pass, through the form) or by car (they need to be emailed a parking permit.) Group over ten people need additional forms.

Directions

Before anything, make sure you are not mistaking Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory for the  Lawrence Hall of Science, or Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory -- this is a frequent confusion, and while they share the name of late Ernest Lawrence in common, they all are distinct places and can be an hour apart. While Berkeley Lab  is managed by the University of California, it is also distinct from UC Berkeley, and requires special access.

The address of the lab is :

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
1 Cyclotron Road
Berkeley, CA 94710

(google map)

Getting to the lab by car

The lab has three entrance : Blackberry gate (main gate), Strawberry gate and Grizzly gate. 

General public access is through the Blackberry gate, which is at the end of Cyclotron road, in the continuation of Hearst Avenue in Berkeley.

Once at the lab, GPS directions will not work to find specific building. You should refer to the map of the lab to know where you are going. Be careful, the numbering of the buildings is not sequential, so don't rely on them to find your way.

The Advanced Light Source is Building 6.  The nearest convenient parking is lot K2, near building 2. To go there from Blackberry Gate, follow Chu Road. At the roundabout, continue straight on Smoot road. Follow Smoot road, until there is a parking lot and a sharp turn on Lawrence Road. Once on that road, you may find a parking spot and walk to building 2 or building 6.

Once you're parked, call your host, who will assist you in the last steps.

Getting to lab through public transportation (lab shuttle)

Berkeley is easily accessible from San Francisco through the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART.) 

Take the Richmond Line to Downtown Berkeley. 

Once in Berkeley,  there are two main free shuttle lines to Berkeley Lab (blue route; do not take the orange route) that run every five minutes or so. You can take the shuttle if you have a badge or if you show a valid visitor pass (on your phone or a printed version.)

The easiest spot to get in the shuttle is on Shattuck Ave, between Center and Addison. Once in the shuttle, ask the driver to drop you the Advanced Light Source stop. The total ride time is about 15 minutes.