Does Martinez Commons stay open during winter break?

Yes — Martinez Commons is the only UC Berkeley residence hall that stays open during winter break, when most other halls close and residents are required to vacate. This is a significant practical advantage for out-of-state and international students who cannot easily travel home during a break of two to three weeks, or for any student who wants to remain in Berkeley to study, work, or avoid the cost and complexity of arranging temporary housing. If staying on campus over winter break is a priority — for academics, finances, or logistics — Martinez Commons is the only freshman hall that makes that possible.

Does Martinez Commons have air conditioning?

No — Martinez Commons has no air conditioning. Like all UC Berkeley residence halls, Martinez operates without AC, and portable AC units are explicitly prohibited under the Residential Code of Conduct. The building is two blocks south of campus, and while the Southside neighborhood stays mild most of the year, the first weeks of fall semester in August can feel warm in a room that's been unventilated all summer. A box or tower fan is the standard and only permitted cooling solution — it makes a noticeable difference on warm evenings. Pack one before you arrive and set it up on your first night.

What's the bathroom setup at Martinez Commons?

Martinez uses central community bathrooms shared by the floor. The hall has a mix of all-gender and single-gender floor designations: floors designated as single-gender have single-gender bathrooms, while all other floors have all-gender community bathrooms. There are no suite-style or semi-private bathrooms on the residence-hall side of the building. All students sharing a floor use the same facilities, so morning timing coordination matters. A hanging shower caddy and shower sandals are practical additions to your packing list. If bathroom privacy is a priority, halls like Clark Kerr's suite-style rooms or Unit 1's Christian and Slottman offer semi-private arrangements.

What study and fitness amenities does Martinez Commons have on-site?

The main level of Martinez Commons includes an academic center, a gym, and meeting rooms — all available to residents without leaving the building. Every floor also has its own dedicated study room, which means students can almost always find a quiet place to work without going to the library. The academic center provides a more formal workspace for longer study sessions, while the per-floor rooms handle quick study breaks between classes. The on-site gym means no membership fee or commute for basic fitness needs. For out-of-state and international students who stay over winter break, these amenities remain accessible during the extended stay.

Is Martinez Commons a good hall to live in?

That depends on what you're optimizing for, but here's what's verified: Martinez Commons has XL Twin · 80"×36" beds with Adjustable frame · clearance varies of under-bed storage, and is not air conditioned. UC Berkeley provides Bed frame & XL twin mattress, desk, chair, dresser, mirror, closet, MicroChill micro-fridge + microwave in every room. Compare those specifics against your priorities — or see how Martinez Commons stacks up against UC Berkeley's other halls above.

Berkeley, CA · ★ 2-Year Guarantee

Martinez Commons Dorm Checklist 2026

UC Berkeley

Doubles and triples (residence-hall side)

Verified Apr 26, 2026 · housing.berkeley.edu

Two blocks south of campus. All-gender community bathrooms (single-gender floors have single-gender baths). Academic center, gym, meeting rooms on the main level; study rooms on every floor. The only Berkeley residence hall that stays open during winter break — a real benefit for out-of-state and international students.

Bed SizeXL Twin · 80"×36"
Under-BedAdjustable frame · clearance varies
ACNo
On-Campus96%

✓ In the room

Bed frame & XL twin mattressdeskchairdressermirrorclosetMicroChill micro-fridge + microwave

✗ Not provided

Beddingdesk lampfanshower caddyrugtowelstoiletries

⊘ Prohibited

Portable AC unitshalogen lampscandlesincenseopen-flame itemsplug-in (non-battery) string lightsheat-producing appliances outside designated kitchens

Berkeley prohibits portable AC units in every freshman hall — there is no AC anywhere on campus housing. Plan for layered bedding and a quiet desk fan instead.

Living in Martinez Commons: what to know before you pack

The room

Martinez Commons places most students in doubles or triples on the residence-hall side of the building. Each room includes a bed frame and XL twin mattress (80"×36"), desk, chair, dresser, mirror, closet, and a MicroChill unit. The building sits two blocks south of campus — not the closest freshman option, but not a difficult walk either. Beds run 80"×36", two inches narrower than a standard XL twin, so size sheets accordingly.

Day to day

Martinez has all-gender community bathrooms, with single-gender bathrooms on floors designated single-gender. The main level has an academic center, gym, and meeting rooms; every floor has a study room, so there's rarely a reason to go far to find a quiet place to work. The standout practical feature is that Martinez is the only Berkeley residence hall that stays open during winter break — a meaningful benefit for out-of-state and international students who can't easily go home.

Move-in day

Move-in is mid-August. Martinez is two blocks south of campus, which puts it closer to the center of campus than Clark Kerr but not quite as central as Blackwell. The surrounding neighborhood is calm and the walk to most academic buildings is straightforward.

A styled dorm desk, furnished and shoppable

Room ideas

See dorm rooms styled

4 looks, every object linked to the exact listing.

Styled render — not a photo of Martinez Commons.

Dorm shopping guides: Mini fridge · Surge protector · Storage bins · Mattress topper · Desk lamp · Bedding sets · Twin XL sheets · Shower caddy · Towels · Shower shoes · Laundry hamper · Area rug · Mirror · Over-door organizer · Closet organizers · Fans (no AC) · Loft bed setup

Sources & verification — last checked Apr 26, 2026

Martinez Commons FAQ

Does Martinez Commons stay open during winter break?: Yes — Martinez Commons is the only UC Berkeley residence hall that stays open during winter break, when most other halls close and residents are required to vacate. This is a significant practical advantage for out-of-state and international students who cannot easily travel home during a break of two to three weeks, or for any student who wants to remain in Berkeley to study, work, or avoid the cost and complexity of arranging temporary housing. If staying on campus over winter break is a priority — for academics, finances, or logistics — Martinez Commons is the only freshman hall that makes that possible.
Does Martinez Commons have air conditioning?: No — Martinez Commons has no air conditioning. Like all UC Berkeley residence halls, Martinez operates without AC, and portable AC units are explicitly prohibited under the Residential Code of Conduct. The building is two blocks south of campus, and while the Southside neighborhood stays mild most of the year, the first weeks of fall semester in August can feel warm in a room that's been unventilated all summer. A box or tower fan is the standard and only permitted cooling solution — it makes a noticeable difference on warm evenings. Pack one before you arrive and set it up on your first night.
What's the bathroom setup at Martinez Commons?: Martinez uses central community bathrooms shared by the floor. The hall has a mix of all-gender and single-gender floor designations: floors designated as single-gender have single-gender bathrooms, while all other floors have all-gender community bathrooms. There are no suite-style or semi-private bathrooms on the residence-hall side of the building. All students sharing a floor use the same facilities, so morning timing coordination matters. A hanging shower caddy and shower sandals are practical additions to your packing list. If bathroom privacy is a priority, halls like Clark Kerr's suite-style rooms or Unit 1's Christian and Slottman offer semi-private arrangements.
What study and fitness amenities does Martinez Commons have on-site?: The main level of Martinez Commons includes an academic center, a gym, and meeting rooms — all available to residents without leaving the building. Every floor also has its own dedicated study room, which means students can almost always find a quiet place to work without going to the library. The academic center provides a more formal workspace for longer study sessions, while the per-floor rooms handle quick study breaks between classes. The on-site gym means no membership fee or commute for basic fitness needs. For out-of-state and international students who stay over winter break, these amenities remain accessible during the extended stay.
Is Martinez Commons a good hall to live in?: That depends on what you're optimizing for, but here's what's verified: Martinez Commons has XL Twin · 80"×36" beds with Adjustable frame · clearance varies of under-bed storage, and is not air conditioned. UC Berkeley provides Bed frame & XL twin mattress, desk, chair, dresser, mirror, closet, MicroChill micro-fridge + microwave in every room. Compare those specifics against your priorities — or see how Martinez Commons stacks up against UC Berkeley's other halls above.

Thinking About Living in Martinez Commons Next Year?

If you're choosing housing for next year rather than packing for move-in, here's what's already verified about Martinez Commons: it has XL Twin · 80"×36" beds with Adjustable frame · clearance varies of under-bed clearance, and there's no AC, so plan around that. On top of that, the room comes with Bed frame & XL twin mattress, desk, chair, dresser, mirror, closet, MicroChill micro-fridge + microwave; you'll need to bring Bedding, desk lamp, fan, shower caddy, rug, towels, toiletries yourself; Portable AC units, halogen lamps, candles, incense, open-flame items, plug-in (non-battery) string lights, heat-producing appliances outside designated kitchens isn't allowed. The full day-to-day breakdown above covers the room, the building, and move-in day in more depth.

Still weighing this hall against others? Our guide on how to pick a dorm covers what actually matters, or see UC Berkeley’s other halls below.

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Each hall has its own verified checklist — pick yours for room-specific dimensions and packing lists.

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Martinez Commons Dorm Checklist 2026

Living in Martinez Commons: what to know before you pack

The room

Day to day

Move-in day

See dorm rooms styled

Everything for your Martinez Commons room

Fan — pack first

Bedding

Bathroom

Personal Care & Grooming

Self-Care Essentials

Storage & Organization

Closet Space-Savers

Tech & Power

Laundry

Desk & Study

Health & Safety

Comfort & Room

Kitchen & Dining

Misc Essentials

Move-In Day Gear

Martinez Commons FAQ

Thinking About Living in Martinez Commons Next Year?

More UC Berkeley halls