Summer Experience Housing

Summer Experience Housing options include apartments in Anchor House, one of UC Berkeley’s newest and most modern buildings. Anchor House is located in a prime gateway location across the street from the western edge of campus at the corner of University Avenue and Oxford Way. (Photo credit: Jason O’Rear)
The Anchor House lobby includes soaring ceilings, natural wood, and ample social spaces for studying and gathering. (Photo credit: Jason O’Rear)
The open living room and kitchen of a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment in Anchor House. Photo credit: Keegan Houser
A single bedroom in an Anchor House apartment. All apartments in Anchor House feature single bedrooms with a built-in study desk and openable windows for access to natural light and air. Photo credit: Keegan Houser.

Spend a week, a month, or the whole summer in the vibrant Bay Area while staying in a furnished campus apartment at UC Berkeley.

Our Summer Experience Housing provides flexible, comfortable, and convenient accommodations perfect for students, interns, and professionals. Whether you’re doing an internship, attending a conference, conducting research, or participating in UC Berkeley programs, our housing places you close to everything: campus, BART, and Berkeley’s dynamic neighborhoods and restaurants.

Apply for Summer Housing

Why Choose Summer Experience Housing?

Prime Location: Enjoy independent apartment living just steps away from public transit and UC Berkeley’s campus, the perfect home base for exploring the Bay Area.
Flexible Stay Options: Stay for as little as six nights, or book a longer stay of up to ten weeks — our rates adjust based on the length of your stay.
Easy, Inclusive Apartment Accommodations: Units are furnished, and include wi-fi, utilities, kitchen appliances (refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave), and on-site laundry.
Community Vibes: Meet and network with students and professionals from all over the world in a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.

When Can I Stay and For How Long?

Dates between May 24th to August 14th, 2026
Minimum stay: 6 nights

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for Summer Experience Housing, you must meet all of the following criteria:

18 years or older at the time of application (proof may be required)
Either participating in a summer internship or job in the Bay Area, or attending a workshop, conference, training or other event at UC Berkeley
NOT taking Summer Sessions classes at Berkeley over the summer. If you are enrolling in Summer Sessions, please visit our Summer Sessions Housing page, where you’ll find housing options designed for students in UC Berkeley Summer Sessions courses.

We also require that you stay a minimum of six nights and agree to our Terms & Conditions (see “Summer Experience”).

Applications Open on February 1, 2026

The online application is now open. Once you apply, you’ll hear back within seven business days. See the Application Instructions section below for details.

Don’t wait until the last minute to reserve your space. Applications submitted fewer than seven business days before check-in date will not be processed.

Program Location

Anchor House – 1950 Oxford St. Berkeley, CA 94704

Helen Diller Anchor House

Located right across the street from campus, Anchor House is UC Berkeley’s state-of-the-art new apartment complex featuring shared furnished apartments with single-occupancy bedrooms, in-unit washer and dryer, and extensive community spaces including meeting/study rooms and outdoor patios.

Rates

Rates vary based on location, room type, and length of stay. The following rates are estimates. The total amount will be provided once you receive an offer.

Anchor House Rates (Summer 2026)

Room Type	6 – 13 Nights	14 – 29 Nights	1 Month +
Single Occupancy Room	$90 – $98 /night	$83 – $90 / night	$76 – $82 / night

Dining Options

Whether you prepare meals in your apartment kitchen or try takeout from one of Berkeley’s many eateries, Berkeley’s vibrant food scene offers something for every taste. Guests can dine at various on-campus eateries or venture into the bustling Telegraph Avenue and Downtown Berkeley areas for a variety of restaurants.

For UC Berkeley-affiliated students not residing in residence halls, a summer meal plan is available. For more information, please visit Summer Meal Plans.

Application Instructions

Apply for Summer Housing

To apply for Summer Experience Housing, please follow these steps:

Review Eligibility: ensure you meet all eligibility criteria listed above
Go to the online application home page
In the top left corner, click the “Visit University Login Page” link
Enter your CalNet ID and passphrase to log in
Note: If you are not affiliated with UC Berkeley and do not have a CalNet ID, you will need to first create an account as a “Visiting Scholar” using the self-registration process. Please Self-Register.
Select Summer Experience as the housing term
Complete the online application, clicking “Save & Continue” at the bottom of each page
Once you finish Phase 1 of the application, your submission is complete, and you will receive an email about your housing application status within 7 business days.

Summer Experience Housing FAQs

- Apply starting February 1 and pay the $45 non-refundable application fee
- You will receive an offer via email within 7 business days of submitting your application
  - Offers not accepted within 7 business days will be voided
- Review the offer, contract, and Terms & Conditions carefully
- Accept the offer and pay the $300 non-refundable deposit fee
- A Welcome Letter will be emailed to you prior to your check-in date
- Present an valid ID at the Front Desk on check-in day
UC Berkeley matriculating students will be billed through Cal Central, with charges posted in installments based on their housing contract dates. Non-UC affiliated guests are required to pay the full contract amount prior to move-in.

Students planning to use financial aid should contact the UC Berkeley Financial Aid and Scholarships Office to confirm whether aid is available during the summer.
From May 24th, 2026 to August 14th, 2026
Check-in: during regular business hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Check-out: by 10 AM on the date specified in your contract
- Wi-Fi
- On-site laundry
- Utilities: water, electricity & garbage disposal
- Kitchen appliances: shared refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave
  - Note: cookware and dishes are not provided
- Twin XL bedding (sheets, blankets, pillows, pillowcases, etc.)
- Towels
- Plates and utensils
- Cookware and cooking utensils
- Cleaning supplies
Apartments may be either single-gender or mixed-gender, depending on demand. While we strive to accommodate preferences, you may be placed in a mixed-gender apartment. If you are placed in a double room, your room will always be assigned to the same gender.
No, cleaning is not included. For tips on cleaning and maintenance of campus apartments, please visit the Cleaning and Maintenance page.
Your bed space will only be available starting on the official check-in date as outlined in your contract. If you need to check in later, arrangements can be made but you will still be billed for the full duration of your housing contract.
If you wish to extend your contract beyond the original check-out date, please contact us at summerexperiencehousing@berkeley.edu to inquire about availability.
Note: Extensions cannot extend beyond August 14th, 2026, at 10AM
If you check out before your contract end date, you are still responsible for the full contract duration. Please return your key and door access at the Front Desk where you checked in. Failure to do so will result in additional fees.
Once a contract is accepted, fees are non-refundable. However, cancellations may be considered in cases of extreme hardship with appropriate documentation. The Appeals Board will make the final decision on any cancellation requests.

To cancel your contract:
1. Log in to the portal at portal.housing.berkeley.edu
2. Select the “Cancellation Form” under Online Forms in the top left area
3. Choose the Summer Experience 2026 term and submit your request to reshall@berkeley.edu
4. You will receive an email confirming your request. If your cancellation is granted, we will contact you separately.
You will receive a response to your application within 7 business days of submission. Please note, submitting multiple applications may delay our response time.
Residents are responsible for ensuring that their guests adhere to the Residential Code of Conduct. Guests must be escorted at all times within the residential facilities. Please refer to the Residential Code of Conduct for more information on overnight guests.
You can receive packages once you check in. Note: package arriving before your contract start date may be returned to the sender. Shipping instructions will be provided to you at check-in.
Unfortunately, there is no on-site storage available. Due to limited space in each apartment, we recommend you arrange for a local storage service if you have large items to bring with you.
For transportation options, please visit the Parking & Transportation website for detailed information on buses, shuttles, and other services.
Check out these resources for recommendations on things to do while in the area:
- UC Berkeley Events & Attractions
- Visit Berkeley - Things To Do