11 Best Things to Do in San Ramon, California

By VI Staff on June 19, 2020 - Updated

Courtesy of Harris Shiffman - Fotolia.com

Nestled in the San Ramon Valley just 34 miles east of San Francisco, San Ramon is the fourth largest city in Contra Costa County and home to the headquarters of Chevron and the Global Software Center of GE, among other large conglomerates. The town offers interesting attractions and sites, including the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, Forest Home Farms Historic Park, several golf courses and fantastic restaurants. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.

1.Las Trampas Regional Wilderness

Las Trampas Regional Wilderness is a regional park encompassing 5,342 acres of land across the counties of Alameda and Contra Costa in Northern California. Named after the Spanish word for ‘traps’ or ‘snares,’ Las Trampas Regional Wilderness park features two long, hilly ridges, namely Rocky Ridge on the west and Las Trampas Ridge on the east, which flank a valley through which the Bollinger Creek runs. The park boasts several excellent hiking trails, such as the Chamise and Bollinger Creek Loop trails, which lead to the ridges and offer spectacular views over the valley. There are two picnic areas near the parking lot, and large groups can reserve special picnic sites at the nearby Little Hills Picnic Ranch.

Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon, CA 94583, Phone: 510-544-3276

2.Forest Home Farms Historic Park

Forest Home Farms Historic Park is a 16-acre municipal historic park that collects, interprets preserves, and exhibits the agricultural history of the San Ramon Valley. The farm was bequeathed by Ruth Quayle Boone to the City of San Ramon for use as a historic municipal park in 1997 and features several historic buildings and historical sites, including the Glass House Museum, the tractor museum, a Welcome Center with a variety of interactive exhibits and a Gift Shoppe. The Glass House Museum is a two-story, wood frame Victorian style home built in 1877 which has been restored to its former glory and is available for private tours by appointment only. Other structures around the property include two houses, and 14 outbuildings, including a three-building walnut processing plant.

19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon, CA 94583

3.The Golden Skate

The Golden Skate is an award-winning in-line and quad skating rink that offers ice-skating lessons for all ages, and a hockey program for all skill levels. The entertainment center provides packages for birthday and special celebrations, and the venue can be hired as a whole for private events and functions. An onsite pro shop has both inline and quad skates and sells a variety of wheels, bearings, and other skating accessories and a full-service snack bar sell a range of light fares such as fresh pizzas, hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, candy, and drinks. In addition to skating lessons, a variety of video and redemption games and air hockey can be played with tokens, and the redemption center has a range of prizes for all ages.

2701 Hooper Dr, San Ramon, CA 94583, Phone: 925-820-2525

4.Canyon Lakes Golf Course & Brewery

The Canyon Lakes Golf Course & Brewery offers a unique concept with a golf course and a brewery on the same property. Located in the East Bay of Northern California, the public par 71, 18-hole golf course offers golfers of all levels a challenging game and the onsite restaurant and brewery provides a casual and relaxed spot to enjoy great food and a range of unique craft beers. The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, seven days a week, as well as weekday happy hour and can seat up to 120 guests for special events and functions such as weddings, receptions and birthday celebrations. The Canyon Lakes Golf Course & Brewery has PGA Professionals in the Golf Shop that are on hand to offer expert advice and lessons for all levels of golfer.

640 Bollinger Canyon Way, San Ramon, CA 94582, Phone: 925-735-6511

5.San Ramon Royal Vista Golf Course

San Ramon Royal Vista Golf Course is a beautiful 18-hole championship golf course that is renowned for its exceptionally maintained course conditions and challenging tees. The Tri-Valley course offers all levels of golfers with a first-class golfing experience on a course that can either be walked or driven in golf carts, as well as two practice greens and a well-lit practice range. The course winds through the neighborhoods off Alcosta Boulevard and the I-680 and boasts exciting features such as an island green on the 9th hole. San Ramon Royal Vista Golf Course also has PGA Professionals who are available for private or group clinics and lessons.

3916, 9430 Fircrest Lane, San Ramon, CA 94582, Phone: 925-828-6100

6.Zscape Games

ZScape Games offers fun for the whole family from games, puzzles and an escape room, which is a physical adventure game in which players solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints, and strategy to complete the objectives at hand and have a set time limit to unveil the secret plot which is hidden within the rooms. It usually takes about an hour to get out of the escape room, and up to 10 participants are allowed per room. ZScape Games caters for all types of events and functions, from corporate gatherings and team-building to birthday parties and celebrations.

2110 Omega Rd, San Ramon, CA 94583, Phone: 925-808-8869

7.The Bridges Golf Course

Located on South Gale Ridge Road 30 miles east of downtown San Francisco in San Ramon, The Bridges Golf Club is a semi-private golf facility that boasts superior course conditions, pristine sloped fairways, and heavily landscaped hillsides that come together to create an unrivaled golfing experience. Established in 1999, the 18-hole championship course has hosted several major tournaments and features a Mediterranean-style restaurant overlooking the beautiful rolling hills and valley of San Ramon that serves lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

9000 S. Gale Ridge Rd | San Ramon, CA 94582, Phone: 925-735-4253

8.Clementine’s

Clementine’s is a family-owned restaurant on San Ramon Boulevard that serves traditional Southern Louisiana fare in a relaxed New Orleans-inspired environment. Set in the heart of downtown San Ramon district, Clementine's boasts vibrant décor and offers a casual dining experience with a creative menu of Cajun-inspired, made-from-scratch, along with traditional favorite American comfort food items. Great breakfasts are served all day, along with hearty lunches and dinners accompanied a variety of handcrafted cocktails, craft beers, and imported spirits from the full-service bar and live jazz on certain nights. Clementine’s is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, Tuesday through Sunday.

18070 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon, CA 94583, Phone: 925-973-0433

9.Gianni's Italian Bistro

Gianni's Italian Bistro takes diners on a culinary journey to Italy without leaving San Ramon. Owned and managed by Italian-born Gianni Bartoletti, the vibrant, bustling restaurant serves a curated menu of traditional Italian dishes with a creative twist, prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and served with gracious hospitality and flair. The delicious cuisine is accompanied by excellent artisan cocktails, imported Italian wines and craft beers, and a variety of spirits, which can be enjoyed over dinner or as post-dinner libations in a contemporary bistro ambiance with Old World charm. Gianni's Italian Bistro is open for dinner, seven days a week.

2065 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon, CA 94583, Phone: 925-820-6969

10.Brass Door

The Brass Door is a fine dining restaurant and upmarket steakhouse on San Ramon Valley Boulevard that serves a comprehensive menu of contemporary cuisine accompanied by an extensive list of curated wines from California and around the world, craft brews and handcrafted cocktails. The intimate dining room offers a white tablecloth service provided by professional waitrons, and private banquet rooms are available for special events. Signature dishes on the menu include Petite Filet Mignon in a Bearnaise Sauce, Calamare Doré Amandine, Fresh Pacific Salmon, and Chicken Breast Parmigiana, and happy hour specials that include half-price appetizers are offered throughout the week. The Brass Door is open seven days a week.

2154 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon, CA 94583, Phone: 925-837-2501

11.Primavera Ristorante

Located in Crow Canyon Commons, Primavera Ristorante is a contemporary restaurant near the Bishop Ranch business district of San Ramon that has been serving creative Italian cuisine to the local community for more than 27 years. The classic eatery restaurant exudes an old-school luxury vibe and uses only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients to create a comprehensive menu of contemporary cuisine such as antipasto and charcuterie platters, fresh seafood plates and prime cuts of meat, fresh salads and vegetables, and decadent desserts. Primavera Ristorante is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and dinner only on Sundays.

3124 Crow Canyon Pl, San Ramon, CA 94583, Phone: 925-830-9500