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    Bear Basics

    3.1 (168 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 6:30 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

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    The stairs inside - The image shows a staircase with black metal railings leading downward, with a textured, speckled surface on the steps. The surrounding floor features a multicolored checkered pattern with tiles in shades of yellow, blue, red, and beige. At the bottom of the stairs, there is a bright, open area with natural light coming in from outside, and a metal railing is visible at the top of the staircase. The setting appears to be indoors, possibly within a commercial or public building.
    Angie R.

    The dude and I came to Bear Basics on 5/30/21 which I really didn't want to go in as I'm BRUINS ALL DAY shout out to UCLA. We have similar colors so it felt like I was at the Bruin store. I was surprised how big this store was...just for Berkeley clothes. We immediately went upstairs as the dude mentioned something up there which was MORE Berkeley products and baby clothes. The staff was friendly and it was very low key inside not much going on. It was clean, very organized and just made me want to go shopping at the UCLA store. I would recommend to get your UC Berkeley gear here if you have goals attend the school, currently attend or relatives to rep or they have gone. Presently, I have no association with Berkeley so I didn't buy anything. Nice to look around, cool stuff but it's not Bruin :( the dude like the store as well. Glad to have checked it out either way.

    Tiffany T.

    Bear basics aka t shirt orgy is a common Cal gear store to visit. This store has all the gear you are looking for and I personally like it better than the student store. There are much more selections (men's on the bottom Floor and women's on the top). Prices for cal wear is decently priced in comparison to the store's competitors. I also like how they have regular non cal gear clothing (women's on the top floor and men's in the basement). I would recommend this place if you want to get cal gear! This is my go to store! Always get something when I'm here. Remember that of you come in the store with a large bag you will have to check it in at the front desk. Also employees that I have encountered are nice and friendly!

    Gear up in the Yay Area here
    Rick S.

    The ground and top floors are dedicated to UC Berkley CAL swag and gear, then downstairs is where the general and niche T-Shirts and apparel are located for unique pop culture novelty shirts, suitable for those under 30 yrs old or fun folks with a good sense of humor of any age. There's an entire area dedicated to BAY AREA shirts with unique logos, so if you have SF and Nor Cal pride, it's a great place to shop. If you are from So Cal or love Stanford, maybe not so much. Also, when you enter, they don't tell you, but if they see you, you'll need to "CHECK YOUR BAG AT THE GROUND FLOOR FRONT COUNTER" Parking is tough, but not impossible in the area, and it's close to the UCB campus and public transit and the heart of the main strip with all of the retailers, a corner location too, easy to find.

    Matt G.

    There are 3 levels of this popular corner Berkeley gift-store. On the middle (street) level: University of Cal's gear, apparel and memorabilia's: "eh!" In the basement: Funny and entertaining tee's including Captain America for $20.00. On the top level: Women and kid's wear including a pink Captain America Tee for $15.00. Many of you Yelpers surprise from what Matt bought?

    I don't post reviews often but the service I received was horrible. I wanted to return an item I bought minutes ago for a different item. I was informed there are no returns but only exchanges. And the store credit had to be used all in the same day! Which didn't give me much time since the store was closing in the next hour! An older man, Rob that was helping with the exchange was not informative. He pointed to the sign when I asked about returns. As if I'm supposed to just figure it out myself. Yes I can read, but aren't you the sales associate that's supposed to inform customers on the policy? The sign didn't say anything about having to use ALL your store credit within the same day you make a return. At that point, I didn't feel like debating with him. He was rude and unhelpful so I knew it would go no where. It was obvious he didn't know anything about customer service. Luckily my friend didn't buy their item yet so I used my store credit towards their purchase. This place doesn't even deserve my 1 star. Shop at your own risk. Make sure you are 100% positive about the item before purchase!

    No longer available due to pissing off Coca-Cola.
    Dave L.

    Take off that red shirt! ...and get another one at Bear Basics. They got tons of shirts in the basement, from Gumby to Che. There's something for everyone. Still obsessed with thug-life? They got you covered. Aspiring revolutionary? You're in the right place. Personally I like the surge of nostalgia in the 80s & 90s racks. But the real money is on the main floor. Besides the student store, this is a solid place to pimp yourself out in Cal gear. I'm already getting ready for the 07-08 football season (2 months away) with all my obnoxious paraphernalia. ROLL ON YOU BEARS! Tips: No alumni discounts like at the student store. Weak!

    Lisa T.

    Fun place to visit and laugh at the tshirts ... they are out of many of them, though -- which is actually a good thing if you've got a consumerist 9-year-old who wants two of everything.

    D D.

    I guess this place went out of business? We're here at noon on a Monday but it is closed

    T.Rexorcist

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    7 years ago

    Nice place to shop..just wish the customer service was better..at least say hello but other than that I'd shop here again.

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    18 years ago

    I'm not a big t-shirt person, but I could NOT resist a super soft shirt featuring Dolph Lundgren. LOVE.

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    19 years ago

    All the shirts I didn't buy online because of shipping costs were found here. My wallet is in trouble.

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    Page 3 of 5

    Ask the Community - Bear Basics

    Review Highlights - Bear Basics

    I'm not really into all the Cal gear, but I love the t-shirt orgy shop they got going on down stairs!

    Mentioned in 29 reviews

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    Bear Basics - womenscloth - Updated May 2026

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