• Berkeley California Holiday Ornament, Peregrine Falcon, Crystal Glass Ornament Hanging on a Christmas Tree
  • Berkeley California Holiday Ornament, Peregrine Falcon, Crystal Glass Ornament Hanging on White
  • Berkeley California Holiday Ornament, Peregrine Falcon, Crystal Glass Ornament in Gold Gift Box
  • Berkeley California Holiday Ornament, Peregrine Falcon, Crystal Glass Ornament in White Gift Box
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Berkeley California Holiday Ornament - Peregrine Falcon

Berkeley California Holiday Ornament - Peregrine Falcon

$24.00 USD
$24.00 USD
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A peregrine falcon on the parapet of the campus bell tower, a sprig of evergreen in its talons. Berkeley's fastest resident, on the city's tallest perch.

Since 2017 a pair of peregrines has nested near the top of the 307-foot campanile, raising chicks in full view of a live camera that half the city watches every spring. Peregrines were nearly wiped out in the 1970s; now the fastest animal on earth hunts pigeons over Telegraph Avenue and dives past the carillon at over 200 miles an hour.

The nest became a town event. Hatching days get crowds, fledging days get volunteers on the ground to catch any chick that misjudges a first flight, and the birds have names that locals argue about.

Berkeley has always liked a comeback story. A bird that came back from the edge and chose the most visible spot in the city to raise its young is about as Berkeley as it gets.

The peregrine falcon pair on Sather Tower, the Berkeley campanile, has its own peregrine falcon cam and a following far beyond campus. This falcon ornament is a Berkeley Christmas ornament and Berkeley souvenir in one: a bird ornament for anyone who has watched the campanile falcons raise their chicks.

3-inch faceted crystal glass ornament, white-backed print, line-drawn in 1880s engraving style, your choice of white or gold gift box.

Every Berkeley ornament ships ready to give, and profits support hunger relief. Hang it on the tree, in a window, off a lamp, or send one to the person who misses Berkeley most.

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Berkeley's other revolution happened at the table. In 1966 Alfred Peet opened a small coffee shop at Walnut and Vine and taught America to take its coffee seriously; in 1971 Alice Waters opened Chez Panisse a few blocks away and invented what the world now calls California cuisine — cooking built on fresh, local, seasonal ingredients and direct ties to nearby farms. The stretch of North Shattuck around them earned the nickname the Gourmet Ghetto, and farm-to-table spread from these few blocks to the whole country. Wear local; feed local; it started here.

The name itself is a small piece of poetry. In 1866 the trustees of the College of California stood on a rocky outcrop above the new townsite — still called Founders' Rock — looked out through the Golden Gate, and decided to name the place for the Anglo-Irish philosopher George Berkeley, remembering his line, ‘Westward the course of empire takes its way.’ The land was Ohlone homeland for thousands of years, then a piece of the Peralta family's Rancho San Antonio, then a Gold-Rush settlement called Ocean View; in 1878 the campus town and the waterfront village merged and incorporated as Berkeley.

Why People Visit Berkeley

Berkeley balances learning with the outdoors. Visitors mix landmark architecture and famous kitchens with regional parks, rose terraces, and waterfront breezes. It is curious, green, and welcoming, with year-round appeal in its parks, paths, and public spaces. History and everyday culture sit side by side here in a welcoming way, from the Little Castle to the cafes of the Gourmet Ghetto and the trails of the hills above the Bay.

Berkeley California Merlin Classics retro logo — California grizzly bear, California Republic Est. 1850

Wear Local. Feed Local. Stay Classic.

Product FAQs

How does your sizing work?

Because items are made to order, we can’t accept returns for sizing or color choices. We do accept returns for defects, misprints, or shipping damage. Please review the detailed photos and descriptions before purchasing. Women’s fitted tees run small; if you prefer a looser fit, consider sizing up.

How do I send gifts?

All items ship without prices and include a simple packing slip for easy gifting. Enter the recipient’s shipping address and your billing address at checkout. Use your contact info to receive tracking updates. Orders typically arrive within 6–11 business days—please allow extra time for time-sensitive gifts.

How do I care for my item?

For apparel: wash cold, inside-out, with like colors; avoid bleach and high heat; tumble dry low or hang dry. For embroidery, iron inside-out to protect the stitching. See specific care instructions in product descriptions and also follow general best practices in caring for your items for long term enjoyment.

How are items made and when will they arrive?

We make each item on demand using premium blanks, embroidery, and soft-hand prints. Production usually takes 2–5 business days (excluding weekends and holidays). You’ll receive tracking once shipped. We currently ship to U.S. addresses via USPS, UPS, or FedEx. Most orders arrive within 6-12 business days.

What’s the return/exchange policy?

We accept returns for defects, misprints, or damage on arrival. Report issues within 30 days with photos and your order number, and we’ll replace or refund. Size or color changes aren’t supported after purchase, so please consult size charts before ordering if you are at all unsure.

Who are we?

Merlin Classics is a volunteer-run, AI-assisted apparel project celebrating timeless local style. Every item is made to order, and profits (revenue minus external product/marketing cost) support hunger-relief programs in the communities our collections spotlight. Classic looks, real local impact—every purchase helps.