Livermore, California

California's beautiful Livermore Valley is located just 35 minutes east of San Francisco and is a great part of the country to visit for a weekend or a longer vacation. Foodies are particularly well-catered to in Livermore, with over 50 wineries vying for your custom. Beer lovers have not been neglected either, and can explore an interesting Brew Trail which will lead you to some of the valley’s best craft breweries. The valley also offers a good selection of outdoor activities including hiking and mountain-biking and boasts over 300 days of annual sunshine. Downtown Livermore offers a wide selection of restaurants, shopping and nightlife.

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Discovery Center is well worth visiting while you are in the Livermore Valley.

The Discovery Centre is aimed at encouraging curiosity and interest in science by offering hands-on interactive activities for children, while parents can learn all about the essential work in state security that is carried out at the National Laboratory.

The Discovery Center offers Science Field Trips for Fifth graders on week day mornings through the school year, and is open to the public from 1pm to 4pm from Tuesdays to Fridays. If you would like to book guided tour of the Laboratory you need to do so well in advance of your visit due to security.

Address: LLNL Discovery Center, Eastgate Drive, Livermore, CA 94550, Phone: 925-423-3272

Beckoning outdoor enthusiasts to come and enjoy over 300 sunny days each year, Del Valle Regional Park offers year-round camping, hiking and water sports just an hour from San Francisco. The park is conveniently located just 10 miles south of Livermore, making it perfect for a day-trip or longer camping adventure.

At the heart of the park you will find a lovely five-mile lake which offers swimming beaches, sailing, windsurfing and boating.

You can join a variety of family programs at the Visitor’s Center which is open from June to September.

Campers can book one of 150 campsites (21 have water and electricity hook-up) and the Little Chaparral Equestrian camp offers four small paddocks for equestrian campers.

Address: Del Valle Regional Park, 7000 Del Valle Rd, Livermore, CA 94550, Phone: 510-544-3146

Nestled in the heart of a quiet suburban part of Livermore, the impressive Livermore Shiva-Vishnu Temple comes as a bit of a surprise. The temple architecture is typical of Southern Indian Hindu temples and features an impressive Gopura (an ornately decorated pyramidal tower over the main entrance). The Shiva-Vishnu temple is the largest Hindu temple in the Bay Area and all the Hindu religious deities are represented. Once you enter the temple you will find yourself in a spacious hall where religious ceremonies are held. The temple is also used as a cultural center and there are two huge commercial-sized kitchens where delicious vegetarian meals are prepared for devotees.

Address: Livermore Shiva-Vishnu Temple, 1232 Arrowhead Ave, Livermore, CA 94551, Phone: 925-449-6254

Sycamore Grove Regional Park covers over 840 acres of outdoor recreational space where you can come and join the locals as they enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. The park offers a very popular 2.5-mile paved trail for hikers and bikers, which joins the two park entrances. However, there are several more trails which you can explore either by foot, bike or on horseback – a special parking area is available for horse trailers at the Wetmore Rd entrance. You can take a pleasant walk along the 0.6 mile Magpie Loop (easy) or choose the more strenuous 4-mile Valley View Loop for a good work-out. There is a pleasant picnic area and you can find restrooms and parking at both entrances.

Address: Sycamore Grove Regional Park, 1051 Wetmore Rd or 5049 Arroyo Rd, Livermore, CA 94550

Built in 1891 to be the summer home of Sir Christopher Buckley, the Ravenswood Historic Site is a popular venue for weddings and other celebrations. The original main house has been beautifully restored and is joined by a Carriage House and Cottage, all of which are surrounded by sweeping lawns, orchards, vineyards and gardens. You can visit the historic estate and join a guided tour (by costumed docents) on certain days. The tours take about an hour and include the 1885 Cottage, the 1891 Main House and the superb gardens. Groups may book a private guided tour for a fee.

Address: Ravenswood Historic Site, 2647 Arroyo Rd, Livermore, CA 94550, Phone: 925-443-0238

Attractions for Couples

The Bankhead Theater opened in 2007, serving as one of three venues which make up the Livermore Performing Arts Center (LVPAC). LVPAC is dedicated to ensuring that the performing arts are accessible to all members of the community and offer affordable tickets, family-friendly shows, concessions and some free shows. Music of all genres is the main focus of the Bankhead Theater but you can also come and enjoy dance, comedy, theatre and even acrobatics. Resident companies include the Livermore Valley Opera, the Pacific Chamber Orchestra, the Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre and the Cantabella Children’s Chorus. In addition, the Bankhead Theater often hosts touring shows and local community artists.

Address: The Bankhead Theater, 2400 First Street, Livermore, CA 94550, Phone: 925-373-6100

Wente Vineyards is one of the oldest vineyards in the Livermore Valley, established back in 1883 by C.H. Wente. Today the vineyard is still operated by fourth and fifth generation descendents of the family who continue the legacy of producing fine wines. You can personalize your visit to the vineyards by choosing from a list of available tastings, tours and classes. Top of the list of activities is a Harvest Tour, which includes seeing the new harvest being picked and processed. If you visit outside of harvest time you can still enjoy a vineyard tour, a Sunday Cheese and Wine pairing in the Cellar or a fabulous Food and Wine Pairing Dinner in The Restaurant.

Address: Wente Vineyards, 5565 Tesla Rd, Livermore, CA 94550, Phone: 925-456-2305

The chance to appreciate both superb wine and great art is one of many good reasons to visit the Darcie Kent Vineyards in the Livermore Valley. Darcie Kent is a fifth-generation vintner and artist who not only makes fine wine but also creates all her own exceptional wine labels. When you visit the vineyards you will have the opportunity to taste several of their fine wines in the light and vibrant tasting room, which is also used as a gallery to exhibit the artist’s original paintings. The vineyard hosts regular wine and food events in the beautiful vineyards – you can check their website for details or join their mailing list to receive regular news-letters.

Address: Darcie Kent Vineyards, 7000 Tesla Rd, Livermore, CA 94550, Phone: 925-243-9040

Brushy Peak Regional Preserve offers easy access to a large green space where outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers can go walking, hiking, biking or horse-back riding. Because the park protects a variety of fragile plants you are requested to stay on the paths and ensure that your dog is on a leash at all times. There are hikes to suit everyone, from easy family-friendly walks to longer, more strenuous loops. Hikers need to know that all the trails are in open country and there is very little shade; you are advised to wear sunscreen and a hat and bring plenty of drinking water. If you would like to hike up to the summit of Brushy Peak you need to book a guided hike.

Address: Brushy Peak Regional Preserve, Laughlin Rd, Livermore, CA 94551, Phone: 888-327-275