Whether you’re looking to spend a day outdoors, want to shop, or are looking for some exceptional art, you’ll have a great time in Walnut Creek. There’s a lot of heart and gorgeous scenery in this Bay Area community, located about 15 minutes east of Lafayette real estate. So, when you’re searching for Walnut Creek homes, here are some fun things to do in the area.
Mount Diablo State Park
One of the main natural attractions in Walnut Creek is Mount Diablo at Mount Diablo State Park. Those interested in hiking the mountain can enjoy the gorgeous views of surrounding valleys and rolling hills. When visibility is at its clearest, hikers are rewarded with a 200-mile view of surrounding landmarks, like the Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Loma Prieta in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers. From mountain biking to horseback riding and camping, there is no shortage of adventure here.
Besides Mount Diablo, this park’s visitor center provides guests with a number of exhibits explaining the area’s natural and cultural history. An observation deck complete with telescopes helps visitors see ancient marine fossils in the Summit Building’s sandstone walls. Visitors can also visit Rock City along Mount Diablo’s southern side. In Rock City are attractions like The Trail Through Time, the Wind Caves, and Elephant Rock. This incredible state park is a natural haven for residents to visit and explore.
Besides Mount Diablo, this park’s visitor center provides guests with a number of exhibits explaining the area’s natural and cultural history. An observation deck complete with telescopes helps visitors see ancient marine fossils in the Summit Building’s sandstone walls. Visitors can also visit Rock City along Mount Diablo’s southern side. In Rock City are attractions like The Trail Through Time, the Wind Caves, and Elephant Rock. This incredible state park is a natural haven for residents to visit and explore.
Lindsay Wildlife Experience
Photo courtesy of UnsplashIf you love to learn about wildlife, be sure to visit the Lindsay Wildlife Experience. Equal parts visiting center and hospital, this establishment cares for the native wildlife in the area and is dedicated to educating residents through its exhibits and programs. A variety of special events for all age ranges are scheduled online and available for people to join and learn about nature and animals.
Guests can visit the exhibit hall regularly to view permanent exhibits like Eagle Eyrie, a habitat housing their Bald Eagle. The Creek Wall exhibit provides visitors an up-close view of turtles, salamanders, and other amphibians and reptiles. Plus, the Raptor Redwood Grove hosts programs that feature the incredible wildlife in the area. Daily programs and private animal experiences are available for visitors as well to get an even closer look at the animals this organization cares for.
Guests can visit the exhibit hall regularly to view permanent exhibits like Eagle Eyrie, a habitat housing their Bald Eagle. The Creek Wall exhibit provides visitors an up-close view of turtles, salamanders, and other amphibians and reptiles. Plus, the Raptor Redwood Grove hosts programs that feature the incredible wildlife in the area. Daily programs and private animal experiences are available for visitors as well to get an even closer look at the animals this organization cares for.
Boundary Oak Golf Course
Photo courtesy of UnsplashBook at tee time at the Boundary Oak Golf Course to enjoy the beautiful views of the landscape while playing a game of golf. Golfers can enjoy vistas of gorgeous Mount Diablo as they play on a course designed by Robert Muir Graves. There’s plenty of space to practice or compete, with its 60-stall driving range, five practice putting greens, and a full pro shop, not to mention its 18-hole facility.
This golf course offers opportunities to reserve shotgun tournaments for up to 136 players or consecutive tee-time tournaments for 24 to 72 players at a time. If you’re new at golfing or have children, you can sign up for a lesson or enroll your child in a junior golf camp. And if you’re looking for some community when searching for Walnut Creek houses, consider joining their men’s or women’s golf club after becoming a member.
This golf course offers opportunities to reserve shotgun tournaments for up to 136 players or consecutive tee-time tournaments for 24 to 72 players at a time. If you’re new at golfing or have children, you can sign up for a lesson or enroll your child in a junior golf camp. And if you’re looking for some community when searching for Walnut Creek houses, consider joining their men’s or women’s golf club after becoming a member.
Broadway Plaza
You don’t have to spend a conventional day outdoors to enjoy your time in Walnut Creek. If you love to shop or are looking for a place to spend the afternoon, those searching for Walnut Creek real estate can count on the Broadway Plaza. This open-air shopping center has over 80 shops, restaurants, and services to fill your day with good food and fun. The center also hosts events to bring the community together, like its Broadway Plaza Summer Concert Series every Thursday night, as well as other center-wide and store-specific events.
Broadway Plaza features a mix of large brand and small business shops, including the premium men’s footwear store Allen Edmonds, the high-quality jewelry at Pandora, and the practical, high-end outdoor gear of Arc’Teryx. For lunch or dinner, you can stop at tasty restaurants like True Food Kitchen, which provides guests with a creative, fresh, and sustainable menu. Or visit the Nordstrom Ebar for a handcrafted coffee and pastry to fuel your shopping.
Broadway Plaza features a mix of large brand and small business shops, including the premium men’s footwear store Allen Edmonds, the high-quality jewelry at Pandora, and the practical, high-end outdoor gear of Arc’Teryx. For lunch or dinner, you can stop at tasty restaurants like True Food Kitchen, which provides guests with a creative, fresh, and sustainable menu. Or visit the Nordstrom Ebar for a handcrafted coffee and pastry to fuel your shopping.
Lesher Center for the Arts
To appreciate the art and culture of Walnut Creek, stop by the Lesher Center for the Arts. This is a premier art destination that prepares and presents over 900 productions and events annually. They strive for excellence, innovation, and diversity in the exhibitions and performances they showcase. There are several ways a guest can experience this center, whether that be through volunteering, a backstage tour, or attending an event or program.
Visitors should check the schedule of events online before planning a visit to this center, as there’s a wide variety to choose from. This center has traditional theater, music, and dance options available for visitors, as well as comedy events, improv, and other visual arts experiences. Tours for all ages are available for those who want to visit the Bedford Gallery in the center, which showcases a mix of historical, modern, and contemporary artists.
Visitors should check the schedule of events online before planning a visit to this center, as there’s a wide variety to choose from. This center has traditional theater, music, and dance options available for visitors, as well as comedy events, improv, and other visual arts experiences. Tours for all ages are available for those who want to visit the Bedford Gallery in the center, which showcases a mix of historical, modern, and contemporary artists.
Calicraft Brewing Company
Photo courtesy of UnsplashFor a taste of the local beer varieties, visit Calicraft Brewing Company. This company mixes its passion for a good beverage with sustainability to create a wide variety of tasty brews while minimizing the process’ impact on the environment, namely water systems. Whether you prefer something hoppy, fruity, or dark, or if you want to taste something unlike anything else you’ve had before, the Calicraft Brewing Company is the place to go.
Guests can visit their taproom in person any afternoon or evening of the week and sit under the white umbrellas and tall trees. Visit their website to see their scheduled food options and to buy their beer online, or scroll through the company’s cool merchandise.
Guests can visit their taproom in person any afternoon or evening of the week and sit under the white umbrellas and tall trees. Visit their website to see their scheduled food options and to buy their beer online, or scroll through the company’s cool merchandise.
Ready to search for Walnut Creek houses?
There’s plenty that makes Walnut Creek such a fun place to visit. Whether you want to spend a day outdoors or you’d prefer to shop and enjoy the arts, this city has you covered. When you’re ready to move a little closer to these activities, contact trusted local agent Kelly Crawford to guide you through the process. The Kelly Crawford Team are experts in the Bay Area, from Lafayette luxury homes to Orinda real estate. Let them be your guide to this awesome area.
*Header photo courtesy of Shutterstock
