Walnut Creek

The Ruth Bancroft Garden is a world-renowned botanical garden facility originally founded as a private garden collection by Ruth Bancroft at the Bancroft Farm, before being moved to its current location in 1972. In 1989, the 3.5-acre garden became America's first formal garden facility to be preserved by the Garden Conservancy. Since 1992, the gardens have been open to the public for free daily, showcasing an acclaimed collection of succulents and drought-tolerant plants grown throughout California and around the world. More than 2,000 cacti and succulents are showcased, along with varieties of trees and shrubs native to the American West Coast, Mexico, South America, Africa, and Australia.

1552 Bancroft Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, Phone: 925-944-9352

The Lesher Center for the Arts is Walnut Creek's premiere arts venue, originally opened to the public in 1990 within the former Nuthouse gallery and performance complex, which was founded in 1967. Today, the center welcomes more than 350,000 attendees each year to over 900 productions and performances, which are overseen by the City of Walnut Creek. The center is home to four separate theatrical venues, including the impressive 785-seat Hofmann Theatre, the classic 297-seat Margaret Lesher Theatre, the intimate 133-seat George and Sonja Vukasin Theatre, and the 384-seat Del Valle Theatre, which can accommodate film screenings and corporate presentations. Theater, music, dance, comedy, and improv performances are showcased throughout the year, including regional touring presentations and performances by local stage companies. The center is also home to the Bedford Art Gallery and a number of dining and cocktail lounge options.

1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, Phone: 925-295-1400

Recommended Activities for Families

The Lindsay Wildlife Experience is one of the United States' oldest wildlife rehabilitation centers, originally founded in 1955 as the Diablo Junior Museum by Alexander Lindsay and beginning wildlife rehabilitation operations in 1970. Since 1986, the museum and center has been operated as an independent nonprofit organization, treating more than 6,000 orphaned and injured wild animals each year. As one of the San Francisco East Bay Area's premiere family museums, the center offers a variety of unique exhibits and experiences, including a behind-the-scenes Wildlife Hospital experience that allows visitors to watch live veterinary procedures and care operations daily. Other exhibits include a live bee center, an underground habitat exploration area, and a children's discovery room.

1931 1st Ave, Walnut Creek, CA 94597, Phone: 925-935-1978

The Gardens at Heather Farm are a free-admission public garden, educational center, and special event facility, originally founded in 1968 to showcase the natural beauty and bounty of the Ygnacio Valley and make the outdoors accessible for all Walnut Creek residents. The center, which is open to the public daily during daylight hours with the exception of weddings and other private special events, offers free self-guided tours of more than two dozen cultivated garden areas, including a native plant garden, a rose garden showcasing more than 1,000 majestic blossoms, and an All-American Seed select demonstration garden. Other landscaped areas include a Mediterranean-climate tree grove, a greenhouse and nursery area, and a waterfall garden with 11 beautiful waterfalls showcased throughout.

1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, Phone: 925-947-1678

Civic Park is a charming 16.7-acre public park in Walnut Creek, open to the public daily between dawn and dusk. The park, which connects to the nearby Creek Walk and Iron Horse Trail, is home to beautiful habitat gardens originally designed in 1996 by John Northmore Roberts and LandArt, with a habitat for over 25 species of butterflies maintained in cooperation with the Lindsay Wildlife Experience. Interpretive signs within the gardens detail their creation and populations, which also include over 130 species of native California fauna. Other park features include a community center, arts studios, day-use picnic areas, and playground areas available for younger and older children. During the winter months, the park is home to a seasonal ice skating rink.

1375 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Attractions for Couples

All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting Day Trips have been chosen as a Best of the West attraction by Sunset Magazine, giving participants a chance to explore 10 of California's best rivers as part of whitewater rafting experiences, including experiences on Cherry Creek, the most difficult river in the United States accessible as part of commercial tours. The company, which was originally founded in 1962 by George Armstrong, brings more than 50 years of experience to every excursion, serving as the state's most experienced and acclaimed rafting company today. Professional and enthusiastic tour guides lead groups on more than 25 types of excursions, including trips along the Middle and South Forks of the American River and down the Wild and Scenic Tuolumne River. Trips range in difficulty from easy beginner routes to difficult and exciting excursions meant to challenge advanced rafters.

1250 Pine Street, Suite 103, Walnut Creek CA 94596, Phone: 925-932-8993

Borges Ranch is a 15-acre public ranch and regional park that was originally established by early California settler Francisco Borges in 1899 as a cattle ranch facility. Since 1981, the ranch's remaining original buildings have been preserved on the National Register of Historic Places, including original barns, corrals, and a blacksmith shop. Farm animals are still housed within the ranch, overseen by the Pleasant Hill 4-H Club. Visitors can explore the ranch as part of self-guided tours daily during daylight hours or embark on free guided ranch tours held once a month as part of open house events. Day-use picnic tables are also offered at the Patrick Hanna Grove Picnic Area, which is home to an amphitheater and seasonal pond.

1035 Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

The Shadelands Ranch Museum preserves the historic ranch home of early Walnut Creek settler Hiram Penniman, which was constructed in 1903 as a Colonial Revival-style mansion on Penniman's 1856 ranch, one of the earliest and largest ranches and farms within the Ygnacio Valley area. Following the death of Penniman's last ranch manager, the property was administered by the Gospel Foundation for several decades until its transfer to the City of Walnut Creek and the Walnut Creek Historical Society for preservation as an historic home museum. Today, the National Register of Historic Places-listed home showcases historic artifacts related to the Penniman family, along with a library of archives related to the civic history of Walnut Creek.

2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, Phone: 925-935-7871

For Photographers

Diablo Hills Regional Park is a 1,060-acre public park showcasing the striking Diablo Foothills, which serve as a gateway to the Walnut Creek Open Space and Mt. Diablo State Park. The park, which is accessible via Interstate 680, offers unparalleled panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the greater San Francisco Bay Region and is home to Castle Rock Recreation Area, which offers a wide variety of day-use outdoor visitor recreation opportunities. Seasonal wildflowers are viewable throughout the park, making for prime photo opportunities during the spring and summer months. Though no developed visitor facilities are offered at the park, open space is available for cycling, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching. Picnic facilities may also be prepared for large groups and special events looking to host events at the park.

1700 Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, Phone: 510-544-3086, (website link)