Danville

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is a great little stop if you’re planning to explore Danville. It’s located in the beautifully restored 1891 Southern Pacific Depot right on Railroad Avenue, which already gives it a cool, old-timey vibe before you even step inside.

The museum does a great job of highlighting the rich history and heritage of the San Ramon Valley, with exhibits that showcase everything from early settlers to the local environment and landscapes. The permanent exhibition is especially worth checking out—it’s full of artifacts, old photos, and detailed displays that tell the story of the valley.

They also offer guided tours around Old Town Danville and the Alamo Cemetery, which are both super interesting if you want a deeper dive into the area’s past. And if you're traveling with kids, there are some solid educational programs and workshops too.

205 Railroad Ave, Danville, California, Phone: 925-837-3750

The Blackhawk Automotive Museum is a must-visit if you're even slightly into cars or history. Located right in Blackhawk Plaza, the museum features a remarkable collection of over 90 classic and rare automobiles that are seriously impressive to see up close.

Besides the cars, the museum also showcases a mix of transportation, cultural, and science exhibits—think antique gas pumps, vintage jukeboxes, and all sorts of cool historical pieces. A few standout items include a 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C, a 1962 limousine used by John F. Kennedy, and the first Chinese-made car ever imported to the U.S.—a Chinese Hongqi.

It’s a fun and educational stop, whether you're going solo or bringing the whole family along. There’s plenty to explore, and the setting in the plaza makes it easy to grab food or do a little shopping while you’re there.

3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville, California, Phone: 925-736-2280

The Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site is dedicated to America's only Nobel Prize-winning playwright, Eugene O'Neill and the place where he wrote his final and most memorable plays.

This unique national park is comprised of a 158-acre ranch in the San Ramon Valley and the house in which O'Neill spent his last years with his wife, known as Tao House. Visitors can explore the park and Tao House on self-guided or ranger-led tours, as well as some other features on the site such as a beautifully landscaped courtyard area, with planted gardens and significant pathways, historic walking paths, and Black walnut and almond orchards.

The grounds boast beautiful views of the San Ramon Valley, which can be enjoyed from one of the many hiking and mountain biking trails in the region. The park is also an excellent venue for wildlife and bird watching.

1000 Kuss Rd, Danville, California, Phone: 925-838-0249

Located in historic downtown Danville, The Peasant & The Pear is one of the many award-winning restaurants owned by and operated by renowned Chef Rodney Worth. Considered the flagship restaurant of the group, The Peasant & The Pear serves a menu of classic “peasant cuisine” with a modern twist.

Try dishes like Fisherman Stew with wild prawns, white fish, mussels, calamari, tomato broth, and olive oil croutons, or grass-fed filet mignon served with Lyonnaise potato cake, green beans, and Bourdeaux demi-glace. Enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine in the bar, whose terracotta-colored walls and low lighting create a warm and inviting atmosphere ideal for pre-dinner drinks.

267 Hartz Avenue, Danville, California, Phone: 925-820-6611, 111 W Prospect Ave, Danville, CA 94526

Sycamore Valley Park is a public park in the heart of Danville that offers visitors a range of outdoor recreational activities. There is a jogging path that winds through the park’s well-maintained landscapes, a colorful play area with safe structures, swings and climbing objects for children of all ages, and a tranquil reflection pond and waterfall.

Visitors to the park can enjoy family picnics in several areas which include barbecue pits and eight picnic tables. A large picnic area with shaded structures next to the bocce courts can accommodate up to 65 people, ideal for celebrations and special events.

2101 Holbrook Drive, Danville, California, Phone: 925-314-3400

Revel Kitchen and Bar is hip eatery serving a light and modern Cal-Med menu and an enticing cocktail and spirits program. Drawing passersby to the action inside through a contemporary transparent façade, the restaurant’s interiors are chic and stylish with floating glass shelves carrying small-batch spirits, shot-glass lights hanging over a large, gorgeous stained maple communal table and a wraparound river-washed granite counter.

The menu boasts dishes created from local, sustainable and natural ingredients. Start with the Fritto Misto (wild prawns served with cauliflower, cannellini beans, gremolata and orange-sherry aioli) followed by Abbot Ale Battered Local Cod and Revel Fries served with tartar sauce and pickled peppers, and end with the Potted Chocolate Chip Espresso Cheese Cake with chocolate almond bark.

A refreshing beverages list offers a range of signature cocktails, draft and bottled beer and fine wines from around the world.

331 Hartz Avenue, Danville, California, Phone: 925-208-1758

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Osage Station Park is a popular recreation area which covers 35 acres. The park has several sporting facilities which can be booked by phone, including 4 tennis courts, 4 baseball ovals and various other fields for soccer and other ball games. There is a beautiful rose garden where you can admire dozens of roses and a fun children’s playground with a train station. The park is very popular for children’s birthday parties and other community gatherings - there are several picnic pavilions and BBQ Grills which you can book. Osage Station Park is a great place to bring the family to enjoy some healthy outdoor fun.

Osage Station Park, 816 Brookside Drive, Danville, CA 94526, 925 314 3400

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

The Village Theatre and Art Gallery is a community-based cultural arts center that presents up to seven rotating exhibitions per year focusing on contemporary Bay Area Artists.

The art gallery and theater also feature a range of theater shows, musicals, movies and festivals for audiences of all ages, as well as participatory-based artist workshops and educational programs such as Art Chats and Young @ Art.

Visitors can partake in a range of arts-based classes, including drama, vocal, visual arts and musical theater.

233 Front Street, Danville, California, Phone: 925-314-3463

Drawing inspiration from its very name (Esin means ‘inspiration’), Esin Restaurant & Bar is owned by an award-winning culinary team, Chef Curtis and Esin deCarion. Striving to present seasonally prepared, exceptional cuisine, the chefs have created lunch and dinner menus of all-American fare with a Mediterranean touch with lunch plates including seared rare ahi tuna bruschetta, grilled prawn Cobb and pumpkin risotto with roasted butternut squash.

The dinner menu offers grilled Spanish octopus with shelling beans and fresh arugula, lamb moussaka, and grilled dry-rubbed New York steak served with cannellini bean cake and pink peppercorn sauce. Esin Restaurant & Bar presents a select wine list with excellent choices of champagne and wines, signature cocktails and a range of craft beers and spirits.

750 Camino Ramon, Danville, California, Phone: 925-314-0974

The Iron Horse Regional Trail follows in the footsteps of the old South Pacific Railroad, which was abandoned in 1978. Covering a distance of 32 miles, the multi-use paved trail runs from Concord to the Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area. However, the trail is continuously being extended and improved and will eventually cover 55 miles, linking a total of 12 cities from Livermore to Suisun Bay. The trail is fully accessible and everyone (and their dog) is welcome to come and explore. It is open to hikers, bikers, e-bikers and horses. You can enter the trail at Danville Blvd, Lisa Lane or Stone Valley Rd.

Iron Horse Regional Trail, East Bay Parks