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Michigan Guides

Oakland County · Metro Detroit

Berkley city guide hub

A walkable small city with a busy 12 Mile and Coolidge downtown strip.

Visit the Berkley Guide

Local listings, businesses and events live on berkleyguide.com.

About Berkley

Berkley is a small Oakland County city tucked between Royal Oak, Huntington Woods and Southfield. Its downtown runs along 12 Mile Road and Coolidge Highway, where independent restaurants, coffee shops, a classic marquee theater and local retailers fill a compact, walkable corridor.

The city is largely residential: tidy pre-war and post-war homes on tree-lined streets, with the Berkley Community Center, the city ice arena and a strong summer concert series anchoring community life. Berkley Days, the annual summer festival, draws the whole neighborhood out for carnival rides, food and a parade.

Because Berkley sits so close to Royal Oak and Ferndale, it works as a quieter home base for the whole Woodward corridor — a few minutes' drive or bike ride to much larger dining and nightlife districts.

What Berkley is known for

  • The 12 Mile and Coolidge downtown corridor
  • Independent restaurants and coffee shops
  • Berkley Days summer festival
  • The Berkley Theatre marquee
  • Tree-lined bungalow neighborhoods

Neighborhoods and areas

  • Downtown / 12 Mile & Coolidge
  • Lor-May / Wakefield area
  • Catalpa Park
  • Angell Elementary area

Berkley questions, answered

Where is Berkley's downtown?
The main commercial district centers on 12 Mile Road and Coolidge Highway, with restaurants, shops and the theater within a few walkable blocks.
Is Berkley close to Royal Oak?
Yes. Berkley borders Royal Oak directly, and downtown Royal Oak is only a few minutes east along 12 Mile Road.
What is Berkley Days?
Berkley Days is the city's long-running summer festival with a parade, carnival, live music and food, held each year in late spring.

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