Tri-Valley Summer Bucket List
Tri-Valley Summer Bucket List
For those who live in the Tri-Valley, summertime could mean day trips to the lake and night time visits to the fair, or scenic drives up to Mt. Diablo State Park’s summit and spine-tingling plummets down the waterslides at The Wave. Between warm, sunny weather and fun, seasonal festivities, summertime is one of the best times to visit the Tri-Valley. Don’t miss out on these top summertime must-sees and must-do’s below!
ATTEND THE LIVERMORE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
The Livermore Shakespeare Festival is a summertime favorite for residents and visitors of the Tri-Valley alike. Each year, classic and modern Shakespearean-inspired works are performed beneath the stars at Wente Vineyards. For performances and showtimes about this year’s festival, visit livermoreshakes.org.
JAM OUT AT THE WENTE CONCERTS
Photo Credit: @vino.traveler
In addition to hosting the Livermore Shakespeare Festival, Wente Vineyards also hosts several world-renowned artists during their Summer Concert Series. Guests enjoy sunset dinners in Wente’s natural amphitheater at their Arroyo Rd. location, sip on delicious wines, and jam out to wonderful performers. To look up this year’s concert lineup, visit wentevineyards.com/concerts.
RENT A BOAT AT LAKE DEL VALLE
Photo Credit: @hjphoto_
During the summer, Del Valle Regional Park is a haven of recreational activities. While there are multi-night camping spaces available, there are also plenty of day-use bbq and picnic areas surrounding the 5-mile lake’s coast. Rent kayaks, bikes, stand up paddle boards and lawn games from Outback Adventures near the swimming beach on the north east side of the lake. If you’d like to explore the far side of the lake, visit the Del Valle Marina to rent canoes, motor boats, pedal boats and pontoon boats. To find out more about recreational activities at Del Valle Regional Park, visit ebparks.org.
GO SUMMER STARGAZING
Photo Credit: @chris_orona
With virtually zero light pollution for 100 miles south, Del Valle Regional Park is one of the best places in the entire Bay Area to go stargazing. Reserve a camping spot to view the skies from inside the park or watch from the outskirts just up the road from the entrance gates. Throughout the year, the Tri-Valley Stargazers will also host meet-ups where visitors can enter the park after hours and look through high-powered astronomer’s telescopes at the skies above. Keep in mind that certain stars and planets (like Jupiter!) are only visible during summer months. For more information about stargazing events at Del Valle Regional Park, visit ebparks.org.
WATER SLIDES AT THE WAVE
Each year, The Wave open their doors for visitors and residents to enjoy their water slides, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, lounge areas, and children’s water park. Cool down in one of the pools or snag some sweet treats from a Rita’s Italian Ice stand. The park has plenty of shade to relax in in-between swims or cabanas are available to rent for the day. For admission information & hours of operation, visit dublinwave.com.
CONCERTS IN THE PARK
Every Friday evening throughout the summer, local bands take the stage at Lions Wayside Park for a night of music and dancing in the heart of downtown Pleasanton. Grab dinner on Main Street just around the corner, and then head over to the park for a night of free and fun entertainment. To check out this year’s concert lineup, visit pleasantondowntown.net.
EXPLORE MT. DIABLO
Mt. Diablo State Park features miles of interconnected trails and panoramic views of the entire San Francisco Bay Area, making it a summer hotspot for hiking, biking, camping, and rock climbing. Explore Rock City’s ancient wind caves while taking a trip down the “Trail of Time” or head up to the Summit Visitor Center where you can stand on the actual summit of the Bay Area’s tallest peak.
VISIT THE ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIR
Each year between June and July, the Alameda County Fairgrounds transforms into the 7th largest fair in California. Whether you’re going for the horse races, the fried fair food, the nightly concerts or the extreme monster truck shows, the Alameda County Fair does not disappoint. For this year’s fair schedule, visit alamedacountyfair.com.
