Located right in the East Bay of the San Francisco, Walnut Creek is a city in Contra Costa County, California, 26 miles east of Oakland.
Walnut Creek connects San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland, and San Jose. It is recognized as the most populous city in the region, with an estimated population of 70,166.
A host of unique attractions and activities provide some pretty fun things to do while visiting Walnut Creek, CA.
This picturesque city is a cultural and commercial hub with plenty of stunningly lush natural attractions, miles of spectacular nature hiking, and many stunning viewpoints.
Its museums, ancient monuments, special sculptures and art, peaceful parks, remarkable trails, beaches, and farms are quite a treat.
Notable Walnut Creek activities include attending a California Symphony show, exploring the Contra Costa Canal Trail, and visiting the Lindsay Wildlife Experience.
For a fun trip, here are the best things to do in Walnut Creek.
Fun Things to Do in Walnut Creek
1. Reminisce Historical Times at Old Borges Ranch
Borges Ranch is a historic ranch nestled in the beautiful foothills of the magnificent Mount Diablo.
In 1899, the Borges family built the ranch, and it is located just a 15-minute drive from the Alamo.
Spread over 1,000 acres, it consists of seven restored and original buildings that provide a glimpse into the old days of simpler times.
The ranch gives visitors a chance to see what life was like in early farming and settlement.
In addition to the ranch grounds, there are several dog-friendly nature trails where you can enjoy hiking, biking, or even horseback riding with very beautiful views as you go.
Borges Ranch is located on Castle Rock Road.
2. Don’t Miss a Concert by the California Symphony
The California Symphony Orchestra, one of the premier symphony orchestras in the San Francisco Bay Area, was founded in 1986 through the creative vision of founder Barry Jekowsky.
Known for her dynamic compositions that mix American repertoire with classics and works by modern composers, she brings music to audiences in fresh and unique places.
The orchestra, which has its home base in Walnut Creek at the Lesher Center for the Arts, is comprised of musicians who have performed with the San Francisco Opera, the San Francisco Symphony, and the San Francisco Ballet, among others.
To create concert experiences characteristic of the 21st century, the orchestra attempts to create contemporary concert programs that combine classical compositions with works by living composers.
Have the time of your life and get in touch with the music at The California Symphony!
3. Shop at Broadway Plaza
Broadway Plaza is the start of a fun-filled day that includes fantastic food and shopping.
An outdoor shopping area with more than 80 specialty shops, services, and restaurants is home to flagship stores Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Macy’s.
Broadway Plaza was named Best Mall for its stunning facade, which features cutting-edge landscaping and European-style fountains.
In addition, excellent restaurants, including Boudin, True Food Kitchen, and P.F. Chang’s, you can find in this mall.
Broadway Plaza is the perfect place if you want to save big on your favorite brands and the latest trends.
Things to Do in Walnut Creek at Night
1. Don’t Miss a Night at Va de Vi Bistro & Wine Bar
Here is a fantastic restaurant that serves eclectic small plates and an extensive wine list. It is located along Mt. Diablo Blvd.
With its excellent menu and beautiful atmosphere, Va de Vi Bistro & Wine Bar is the perfect place for a romantic night.
Since 2005, Va de Vi Bistro & Wine Bar has been voted one of the top 100 restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Dine at Va de Vi Bistro & Wine Bar and have delicious food paired with wine from their fantastic selection.
2. Grab a Beer at Calicraft Brewing Company
Calicraft Brewing Company is a brewery and taproom that makes and serves delicious beers.
The brewery also hosts events such as trivia nights and live music performances to entertain customers.
Calicraft Brewing Company doesn’t originally serve food, but there are food trucks parked outside the brewery where you can buy food to go with your beer.
Be sure to try The City IPA, Coast Kolsch, The Bay Double IPA, and Oaktown American Brown Ale.
Calicraft Brewing Company can be found along Mitchell Drive.
3. Have a Good Time at the Stadium Pub
Watching televised sports while sipping a beer could be great, and what better place to catch all the action than at the Stadium Pub?
The Stadium Pub is Walnut Creek’s oldest sports bar and is the perfect place to enjoy a drink while watching the game.
It offers a generous menu and a full bar serving Belgian and draft beers.
Be sure to try the BLT sandwich, garlic fries, and fish tacos with their wide selection of beers.
Find the Stadium Pub along Lincoln Avenue.
Things to Do in Walnut Creek For Couples
1. Take a Day Trip to Heather Farm
Overlooking the beautiful Mount Diablo, The Gardens at Heather Farm is a public garden and education center on Marchbanks Drive.
It was founded in 1968 to enhance the natural beauty of the Ygnacio Valley and make the outdoors more welcoming.
Today it includes a meadow garden, a butterfly garden, a children’s garden, a riverside garden, a black pine garden, a waterfall garden, a strolling garden, and many more, focusing on different plants and aesthetics.
The environment here is very peaceful, with beautiful flora and fantastic views of the rolling hills.
The Gardens at Heather Farm is the perfect place to enjoy a beautiful picnic in the beautiful California weather.
2. Test Your Skills at Boundary Oak Golf Course
Boundary Oak Golf Course is a public golf course with spectacular views of Mount Diablo, located on Valley Vista Road.
This 18-hole course is one of the top-rated public golf courses in Northern California.
You can even take golf lessons from trained and professional instructors if you book lessons locally.
The staff are excellent and helpful and will help you in every possible way.
The Clubhouse at Boundary Oak also offers delicious food.
Visit the Boundary Oak Golf Course and enjoy a round of golf while enjoying stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area.
3. Spend a Night at Diablo Mountain Inn
Diablo Mountain Inn, located on Mt. Diablo Boulevard, is a wonderful place to stay when visiting Walnut Creek.
The hotel offers several facilities to make your stay as valuable and comfortable as possible.
Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the Diablo Mountain Inn is a great place to stay.
Guests also love that it’s pet-friendly, so you can stay and explore the city with your four-legged companions.
When you book a stay at this hotel, you get benefits like free parking and free Wi-Fi.
Things to Do in Walnut Creek For Kids
1. Let Them Play at Lindsay Wildlife Experience
This is a family museum and wildlife rehabilitation center Founded in 1955 on 1st Avenue.
Formerly known as the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, it is one of the oldest wildlife rehabilitation centers in the country, and it was also the first wildlife hospital in the United States and
Lindsay Wildlife Experience is an independent non-profit organization that treats and rehabilitates over 6,000 orphaned and injured animals every year.
The center also provides a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors by offering unique events, exhibits, and programs such as a live bee center, a children’s discovery room, a behind-the-scenes wildlife hospital, and an underground habitat exploration area, and more.
There is a quaint gift shop on the grounds where you can buy souvenirs for a few bucks.
2. Grab Some Pasteries at A Sweet Affair Bakery
Located on Ygnacio Valley Road, Sweet Affair Bakery has been serving freshly baked goods since 1984.
All baked goods, including bread and pastries, are made from scratch without any preservatives.
Their must-try offerings include cakes, cookies, buns, and rolls.
You can see these items freshly prepared right in front of your eyes.
Don’t forget to visit A Sweet Affair Bakery and try their delicious pastries.
3. Catch Some Fun at Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area
Locals and tourists alike enjoy visiting the 18,000-acre Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area.
It is located in Contra Costa County, in Northern California’s East Bay area.
Walnut Creek Wide Open Space and Mount Diablo State Park are accessible from the Castle Rock Regional Recreation Area for the day.
Here tourists of all ages, particularly kids, can enjoy a wide variety of outdoor recreational options, including a swimming pool, lodging, horseshoe fields, softball, basketball, and volleyball facilities.
Each of the four picnic areas can accommodate up to 100 people, and three smaller sites are also accessible for use on a first-come, first-served basis.
Indoor Activities to Do in Walnut Creek For Adults (Indoor Activities)
1. Learn About Local History at Swan’s Fine Books
Swan’s Fine Books is a quaint bookstore on Ygnacio Valley Road.
The bookstore offers an excellent collection of rare, interesting, used and collectible books.
You can even find first-edition California history books. It is a paradise for all bibliophiles.
The staff at Swan’s Fine Books are very knowledgeable and friendly; if you’re at a loss, they’ll help you find your perfect book.
The Ruth Bancroft Garden is an acclaimed 2.5-acre botanical garden located along Bancroft Road.
The dry garden was the first of its kind to be preserved by the Garden Conservancy of America.
The garden’s stunning flora consists of an extensive collection of over 2,000 shrubs, trees, cacti, and succulents native to South Africa, Chile, Australia, Mexico, and California.
The beautiful drought-resistant style of the garden is a unique feature that makes it environmentally friendly.
Various workshops and programs are held here at the Ruth Bancroft Garden to educate and raise awareness among visitors.
You can also buy plants and start your garden.
2. Go on a Tour of the Shadelands Ranch Museum
The Shadelands Ranch Museum preserves the ranch home of Hiram Penniman, an early Walnut Creek settler; it is located on Ygnacio Valley Road.
The ranch was built in the redwood-frame Colonial Revival architectural style in 1903.
The museum presents the local history of the town and Pennimans through artifacts, an archive library, exhibits, and exhibitions.
It is a popular tourist attraction, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Join a tour of The Shadelands Ranch Museum to learn more about the ranch and its history.
3. Appreciate Art at Valley Art Gallery
Valley Art Gallery, which opened in 1949, is one of East Bay’s most respected art galleries.
The philosophy of this non-profit organization is that art improves the quality of people’s lives.
The gallery along Botelho Drive hosts educational programs in local schools to educate people and promote arts education.
It is brilliantly curated and presents the artwork of over 150 emerging and established local artists in an innovative and compelling way.
Paintings can be purchased or rented.
Valley Art Gallery offers an inexpensive way to own and experience a variety of works of art by renting them.
Romantic Things to Do in Walnut Creek
1. Go on a Shopping Downtown
Walnut Creek is a great place to enjoy some retail therapy, and its downtown area has the most variety of stores and hidden gems.
The district is home to hundreds of stores, shops, and entertainment venues.
Downtown Walnut Creek has even been voted one of the best shopping destinations in the San Francisco Bay Area’s East Bay region.
You will find all kinds of places to shop, from jewelry stores to boutiques.
After shopping at Downtown Walnut Creek, you can charge your batteries by savoring mouth-watering dishes from amazing restaurants just a stone’s throw away.
2. Spend Some Time at Ruth Bancroft Garden
The Ruth Bancroft Garden is an acclaimed 2.5-acre botanical garden located along Bancroft Road.
The dry garden was the first of its kind to be preserved by the Garden Conservancy of America.
The garden’s stunning flora consists of an extensive collection of over 2,000 shrubs, trees, cacti, and succulents native to South Africa, Chile, Australia, Mexico, and California.
The beautiful drought-resistant style of the garden is a unique feature that makes it environmentally friendly.
Various workshops and programs are held here at the Ruth Bancroft Garden to educate and raise awareness among visitors.
You can also buy plants and start your garden.
3. Try Picnic at Civic Park
Located along Civic Road, Civic Park is a charming 10-acre public park with incredible views and beautiful gardens.
This beautifully landscaped park features art studios, a community center, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
In winter, it offers an ice rink where visitors can enjoy ice skating.
The park is a green oasis in the middle of the city with a peaceful environment.
With its picturesque views, peaceful atmosphere, and beautiful greenery, Civic Park is perfect for enjoying a picnic on a sunny day.
Free Things to Do in Walnut Creek
1. Take a Stroll Along Shell Ridge Open Space
Shell Ridge Open Space occupies a vast open space of 1,420 acres covering the foothills of Mount Diablo and the central Walnut Creek neighborhood.
It was named in recognition of the massive marine fossils found in the region following the withdrawal of oceanic waters during prehistoric times of the city.
At Shell Ridge Open Space, there are over 31 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and biking, with additional trails that provide good parking space in this public space.
You’ll also find the historic Borges Ranch cattle ranch and Howe Homestead Park (the former orchard and estate of A.P. Correspondent James P. Howe) also preserved.
You can bring your dog into the open space, but watch out for cattle, coyotes, and wildlife.
2. Experience Walnut Creek on Foot
Walnut Creek is a quaint town to see and explore.
It is full of great cultural monuments and beautiful green spaces. The city is ideal for walking tours due to its small size.
Walking is one of the best ways to explore a small town; you can see and experience its true essence in its hidden gems.
You can also discover the best places to eat, shop, and drink while walking around town.
You can really appreciate its stunning architecture and beautiful tree-lined boulevards while wandering around.
Long walks in the beautiful and sunny streets of this California city will refresh your mind and body.
3. Get Great Views at Diablo Hills Regional Park
Located at the base of Mount Diablo, Diablo Hills Regional Park is a public park of about 1,060 acres.
It provides breathtaking stunning views of the vast hills.
It is also the gateway to Mount Diablo National Park and the Walnut Creek Open Space.
Diablo Hills Regional Park offers hiking trails, picnic areas, sports fields, and more.
Don’t forget to capture the extraordinary panoramic views of the mountain and its surroundings.
Cheap Things to Do in Walnut Creek
1. Check Out Walnut Creek Yacht Club
Walnut Creek Yacht Club, a signature restaurant, bar, and seafood market, has been named East Bay’s top seafood restaurant for 12 consecutive years.
First launched in 1997, the restaurant features nautical motifs throughout its dining room, creating the atmosphere of classic waterfront restaurants and yacht clubs in an inland setting.
Osprey Seafood Company, the Bay Area’s premier fish purveyor, supplies fresh seafood for inventive and delicious seafood dishes.
Walnut Creek Yacht Club also offers a wide selection of wines, single malt scotches, premium rums from around the world, and regional specialty beers.
Find this excellent restaurant along Bonanza Street.
2. Experience Whitewater Rafting Day Trips
Selected as a Best of the West attraction by Sunset Magazine, All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting day trips allow participants to explore California’s top ten rivers as part of a whitewater rafting experience.
These experiences include experiencing Cherry Creek—the most difficult river in the United States—which is made accessible by commercial tours.
In 1962, George Armstrong founded this travel agency, which brings its wealth of experience to every tour.
Guides are assigned to lead groups. They lead groups on more than 25 types of excursions with professionalism and enthusiasm.
These trips can be along the scenic and wild Tuolumne River or along the South Forks and Middle American River.
The ranges vary in difficulty, from easy routes for beginners to advanced rafters. You would enjoy this experience without any problems.
3. Take a Walk Along the Contra Costa Canal Trail
During your vacation, don’t miss hiking along one of the most famous routes in this district.
The Contra Costa Canal Trail is a multi-use, heavily trafficked end-to-end trail with a total distance of 13 miles.
This paved trail is loved by hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and wheelchair users for its beautiful wildflowers and ability to accommodate any skill level.
This trail was created through the joint efforts of the Park District, the Contra Costa Water District, and the Bureau of Reclamation.
It connects Pleasant Hill, Concord, Martinez, and Walnut Creek through a safe off-road corridor.
This trial is an integral part of the district’s non-vehicular locomotion as it winds along the Contra Costa Canal, connecting schools and commercial areas.
Explore the many year-round activities on the Contra Costa Canal Trail. You can bring your dogs to the top of the fun, but keep them on a lead.
With transportation options and a nice recreational experience, this is one of the best things to do in Walnut Creek.
Cool Places to Visit in Walnut Creek
1. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Bill Allen and Paul Fleming founded Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Newport Beach, California, in 1998.
It has more than 70 locations worldwide and in the United States, including one on Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Walnut Creek.
Filet mignon, rib eye, and New York strip steaks are among the gourmet steaks.
They are served with smoky chile, béarnaise, or herb horseradish butter of the guests’ choice.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar offers seafood dishes and elegant small plates such as charcuterie and chilled seafood towers.
2. Newhall Community Park
Newhall Community Park is 126 acres east of Treat Blvd, also located in Concord, near Walnut Creek, California.
You can gain access from Turtle Creek Road or Clayton Road. A visit to this park should be on your list of things to do in Walnut Creek.
It is a wonderful park of approximately 30 acres and offers facilities such as bocce courts, a good playing structure, grass athletic fields, unique picnic areas, and pretty ponds around the stream.
There’s never a dull moment at Newhall Community Park, as the variety of features makes it glow with excitement everywhere.
The public dog park at Newhall Community Park is a beautiful place for off-leash exercise to socialize dogs.
After gaining popularity among the dog owners in the neighborhood, it is possible to bring his poodle to play and socialize with the many dogs in the park.
The dog park is by the pond, within walking distance from the parking lot.
The park also has nice amenities available to the public. You can contact them to reserve the park if you wish to have a group picnic or some special gathering.
Your day will be full of fun at Newhall Community Park; plan a visit.
3. Lafayette Reservoir
Lafayette Reservoir is an open man-made reservoir located at Mt. Diablo Boulevard at the west end of Lafayette.
This reservoir was completed in 1933 with the sole purpose of providing backup drinking water for East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) customers.
This 925-acre site with a 1.4 billion gallon reservoir was commissioned in 1966 as a public recreation area where visitors can come for hiking, boating, picnicking, and fishing.
There’s always fun at Lafayette Reservoir with a variety of activities on the plate.
Fishing is permitted here with a daily fee and regular state licensing requirements.
Thousands of trout, largemouth bass, bluegills, black scavengers, and other catfish species are stocked here each year by the state Department of Fish and Game.
Individually owned rowboats, kayaks, sailboats, and canoes are permitted on the dam.
The recreation area is open to cyclists (you may prefer roller skates, scooters, or roller skates) on the road or the paved Lakeside Trial.
Families and smaller groups can sit together at any of the 35 picnic spots around the reservoir.
While many picnic spots are spread around the reservoir, others are located near the dam.
Parking spaces and annual passes are available. So come and have fun at Lafayette Dam!
Conclusion
Walnut Creek is an exciting, educational, and fun city. The historical sites and museums, parks and playgrounds, trails and paths, rivers and reservoirs are some of the highlights of this special city.
While there are already existing specialties, more are being prepared.
You should be part of this script, do not forget to visit it during your vacation as there are so many things to do in Walnut Creek.
