Alex's Guidebook
Food scene
About a 20 minute walk to this dining location that serves a great brunch but also excellent lunch and dinner!
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Jack's Restaurant and Bar Pleasant Hill
60 Crescent DriveAbout a 20 minute walk to this dining location that serves a great brunch but also excellent lunch and dinner!
About a 12 minute drive away in Walnut Creek but worth it to visit this Parisian style bakery and breakfast cafe
Brioche de Paris
1421 Locust StAbout a 12 minute drive away in Walnut Creek but worth it to visit this Parisian style bakery and breakfast cafe
Best take out and although we haven’t hung out in there newly constructed patio, it seem to be a very nice set up
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Aung MayLiKa Burmese Cuisine
836 Southampton RdBest take out and although we haven’t hung out in there newly constructed patio, it seem to be a very nice set up
Zachary's Chicago Pizza
5801 College AveExcellent chicago style deep dish pizza!
Hops & Scotch
7001 Sunne LnBest Mexican food in town in our opinion. Quesabirrias and Birria tacos are excellent!
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Tacos El Patron
1500 S Van Ness AveBest Mexican food in town in our opinion. Quesabirrias and Birria tacos are excellent!
Quiet cafe with good coffee, pastries and paninis. Fresh air courtyard to get some work or reading done. Dog friendly but I believe only at the outdoor seating located in front of the cafe.
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Caffè La Scala
1655 N Main StQuiet cafe with good coffee, pastries and paninis. Fresh air courtyard to get some work or reading done. Dog friendly but I believe only at the outdoor seating located in front of the cafe.
Breweries
Calicraft Brewing Company
2700 Mitchell DrPlenty of outdoor seating and dog friendly!
Mike Hess Brewing Walnut Creek
2313 Oak Grove RdThe Hop Grenade
2151 Salvio StTrails
These are all beautiful trails and you can’t go wrong checking any one out. Reminder to bring plenty of water and sun screen during the sunny hot season!
Paved relatively flat trail that intersects with Iron Horse Regional Trail. We recommend starting at Walden park for better chances of finding some parking or also street parking.
Contra Costa Canal Trail
Contra Costa Canal TrailPaved relatively flat trail that intersects with Iron Horse Regional Trail. We recommend starting at Walden park for better chances of finding some parking or also street parking.
Various short moderate dog friendly trails that have great views overlooking Pleasant Hill and Concord. Free Parking at trailhead next to a dog park. Catch an incredible sunrise from here as it is the cover photo for the guidebook. :)
Paso Nogal Park
501 Paso Nogal RdVarious short moderate dog friendly trails that have great views overlooking Pleasant Hill and Concord. Free Parking at trailhead next to a dog park. Catch an incredible sunrise from here as it is the cover photo for the guidebook. :)
Paved 2.75 mile trail around the reservoir with moderate elevation changes. Plenty of tree coverage during warmer weather. Heads up - $3.00 an hour for parking.
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Lafayette Reservoir
Paved 2.75 mile trail around the reservoir with moderate elevation changes. Plenty of tree coverage during warmer weather. Heads up - $3.00 an hour for parking.
I-Briones Regional Park
2537 Reliez Valley RdLime Ridge Open Space
Ygnacio Valley RoadParks
Beautiful community park with plenty of things to see!
Heather Farm Park
301 N San Carlos DrBeautiful community park with plenty of things to see!
Plaza style park with plenty of dining/hangout options around the square.
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Todos Santos Plaza
2175 Willow Pass RdPlaza style park with plenty of dining/hangout options around the square.
Day trip visits
We recommend visiting these locations if you want to get some walking/activity in and have at least half a day to spare.
Once considered a hidden gem in Oakland, this lake is a nice 2.5-3 mile walk around with plenty of dining and hangouts near by. Pretty light crowds in the day during weekdays but would recommend and early morning visit on the weekends as it becomes super busy later in the day. Nice farmers market early Saturday mornings!
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Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt BoulevardOnce considered a hidden gem in Oakland, this lake is a nice 2.5-3 mile walk around with plenty of dining and hangouts near by. Pretty light crowds in the day during weekdays but would recommend and early morning visit on the weekends as it becomes super busy later in the day. Nice farmers market early Saturday mornings!
My favorite hike in the north bay - A 9 mile out and back moderate level trail with a breath taking waterfall at the end that goes from a freshwater source into the salty ocean. Be on the look out for the shortcut that shaves off 2 miles from the normal 11 miles. Look it up on Alltrails.com! Drive through Stinson beach on the way there but definitely make a stop on your way back to grab a bite. This is also another place I would recommend getting to early (at least by 7am on a weekend as the trailhead parking fills up quickly and trail can become overly trafficked)
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Alamere Falls
My favorite hike in the north bay - A 9 mile out and back moderate level trail with a breath taking waterfall at the end that goes from a freshwater source into the salty ocean. Be on the look out for the shortcut that shaves off 2 miles from the normal 11 miles. Look it up on Alltrails.com! Drive through Stinson beach on the way there but definitely make a stop on your way back to grab a bite. This is also another place I would recommend getting to early (at least by 7am on a weekend as the trailhead parking fills up quickly and trail can become overly trafficked)
Yes this sounds touristy but it’s an awesome place to visit on a Saturday morning when less crowded. Excellent farmers market as well as a really nice public market with plenty of dining and shopping inside the ferry building. Walk along side the SF embarcadero too!
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I-Ferry Building
Yes this sounds touristy but it’s an awesome place to visit on a Saturday morning when less crowded. Excellent farmers market as well as a really nice public market with plenty of dining and shopping inside the ferry building. Walk along side the SF embarcadero too!