It’s that time of the year again when the entire Tri-Valley is blossoming, the sun is shining, and spending time outdoors is on the top of our to-do list. Wildflowers are blooming, grape buds are breaking, and our hills are bright green. Find out how to get the most of your springtime trip to the Tri-Valley with some of the best seasonal activities to do in our region.
Photo Credit: @tarynkro
Visit a Lake
Springtime weather in the Tri-Valley usually hovers around the mid-70’s, which is perfect weather for a lake day. Del Valle Regional Park features a 5-mile long man-made lake offering a variety of water activities. The lake is surrounded by 4,395 acres of rolling hills and scenic viewpoints perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. For a full list of activities before you go, read our What to Do at Lake Del Valle blog.
Only a mile from downtown Pleasanton, Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area, is also a fitting springtime retreat. This swimming and fishing haven also features a sandy beach makes for a great place to sunbathe, relax, or have a picnic. Besides the main lake, Shadow Cliffs has an arroyo with a chain of smaller lakes and ponds. While no swimming or boating is allowed here, the shaded pathways make for peaceful walking or running trails.
The Livermore Valley Wine Country is home to over 50 wineries, many of them with sprawling lawns, shaded gardens, and comfortable outdoor tasting areas. During spring Livermore’s rolling hills turn a brilliant green, creating scenic backdrops. Several wineries are locally-owned by second or third generation winemakers who can sometimes be found roaming the vineyards or tasting rooms during the weekends.
There are hundreds of miles of interconnected bike paths in the Tri-Valley, making it easy to navigate through our region while enjoying the great outdoors. If you didn’t bring your own bike, rent an electric bike from Pedego Livermore.Cruise past vineyards and orchards to wine taste along the way, or ride through rolling hills to our charming downtowns.
Read through our Bicyclist’s Guide for a run-down of local bike shops, bike tours, and the best bike trails in the Tri-Valley.
Plan a Picnic
What better way to ring in the season than by packing a snack and taking it somewhere gorgeous? Start by stopping at one of our year-round Farmer’s Markets located in our downtowns for some locally sourced snacks.
Once you have your Farmer’s Market finds, post up at one of our scenic picnic areas around the Tri-Valley. Check out our Perfect Picnic Areas in the Tri-Valley blog, which includes remote spots with lakeside views, community parks with amenities, and even picnic areas that are thousands of feet above sea level.
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Each spring, Tri-Valley hillsides turn bright green and become carpeted in patches and fields of various wildflowers, including the ever-popular California poppy. Some of the wildflowers flowers that grow in the Tri-Valley are so rare, that they bloom exclusively in this region and nowhere else in the world (like Diablo buckwheat or the Mount Diablo sunflower, which only grows in and around Mount Diablo State Park).
Sunny, moderate weather in the Tri-Valley is ideal for tent or RV camping. Whether you’re looking to rough it in a tent, RV, trailer or cabin, or you’d rather glamp in a deck-ed out yurt, there’s plenty of places to roast your s’mores in our region.