35 College Stadiums That Are More Iconic Than the Teams That Play There

5. California Memorial Stadium: University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)

While California Golden Bears football has had its ups and downs, California Memorial Stadium remains one of the most breathtaking and historically significant venues in college football. Built in 1923 and dedicated to Cal students who lost their lives in World War I, the stadium sits perched in the Berkeley Hills, offering one of the most stunning views in all of sports. From the top rows, fans can look out over the San Francisco Bay, with the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the city skyline forming an unforgettable backdrop. The stadium’s location also makes it prone to seismic activity, as it literally sits atop the Hayward Fault, leading to a major renovation in 2010-2012 to modernize and earthquake-proof the structure. Even when Cal football struggles, California Memorial Stadium remains an architectural masterpiece, a tribute to fallen soldiers, and a landmark with one of the most scenic settings in college football.