The bear is the mascot of the University of California in Berkeley. It’s fairly easy to figure out as there are many bear sculptures and murals around the campus and the city of Berkeley.
There are multiple walking tours that look at the UC Berkeley campus from every angle. One of the self guided tours sends you on a hunt for the various bears around campus and I thought it was a very fun thing to do. Besides the campus is beautiful and full of hidden surprises. Here is a link to the map. It’s not completely up to date as University Hall, where the graduating bear was, was recently torn down to make room for a new construction. Maybe they moved it? I was reminded that I did the walk a while back when I suddenly spotted the South Hall Balcony Bear on another walk across campus (it’s in the first picture at the top – the tiny bear sits in the third circle on the balcony balustrade). Built in 1873 South Hall it is the oldest building currently. The bear was added in 1997 when the original wooden porch was replaced. I am convinced it was gone in between as I clearly remember not finding it the first time a did this walk. I may never find out.
Home here and there 
Go Bears! Fun post. My parents both went to Cal, and solidified their friendship there, though they were not there when I came along. Also! My daughter went to Cal, so she’s a bear. Also! One of my best friends is a bear and graduated from Cal. Cal rocks. My husband and I went to SF State, not at all the same thing, though a great school in its own right. Golden Gators.
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Go Bears! So many of them in your family. As my own kids are getting closer to the end of high school I sometimes wonder where they will end up and what kind of animal is going to be their mascot.
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