Best Things To Do In Livermore, California After You've Tried All The Wine (2024)

Just east of California’s gorgeous City by the Bay is a trio of valleys surrounded by rolling hills and filled with vineyards. In fact, the town that lends its name to the Livermore Valley is California’s oldest wine region. But beyond rows of grapes, welcoming tasting rooms, and award-winning wines, visitors exploring Livermore will discover one of the best small cities in the Golden State.

Things To Do In Livermore

From wine-lover experiences that go beyond the tasting room to outdoor adventures, and from the tastiest trails to the accomplishments of world-renowned scientists, these are the best things to do in Livermore, California (after you’ve tasted all the wine).

Best Things To Do In Livermore, California After You've Tried All The Wine (1)

Pair Your Pours With A Multi-Course Meal

Watch for special events, like wine dinners that combine the talents of a Livermore winemaker and a local chef. In partnership with Elevation LVK — a full-service restaurant at the Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) that overlooks the runway — wines from McGrail Vineyards and Wood Family Vineyards complement five-course feasts, with dishes like filet mignon topped with pepper demi-glace, king crab with bearnaise sauce, and osso buco.

Fun Fact: Although she’s currently the winemaker at Wood Family Vineyards, Rhonda Wood’s initial career was as an airline pilot.

Be A Vintner For A Day

The oldest continuously operating family-owned winery in California is located in Livermore. Tap into five generations and more than 130 years of winemaking experience at Wente Vineyards to craft your own specially blended bottle of wine.

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Or Switch To Beer

In addition to award-winning wineries, Livermore is also home to several breweries. One of the most popular choices is Altamont Beer Works, the first brewery established in Livermore after Prohibition ended. Check out their wide selection of IPAs, including the Maui Waui with tropical flavors that include guava, pineapple, and mango. Another great brewery in Livermore is Shadow Puppet Brewing Company. Try their Kokonati, which tastes a bit like an Almond Joy in liquid porter form, and the Shy Cacti, a lager brewed with prickly pear cactus. Explore these favorite Livermore breweries and others in the valley with the digital Tri-Valley Beer Trail passport.

Pro Tip: Leave the driving to someone else as you explore Livermore’s breweries by boarding the Blue Brew Bus.

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Take A Hike

Whether you’re burning off wine or beer calories, you’ll find plenty of nature and hiking trails in Livermore. On the south side of Livermore, Sycamore Grove Park is a nearly 850-acre park with a network of walking, jogging, and hiking trails.

On the east side of town, Brushy Peak Regional Preserve is a great way to connect with nature. Covering nearly 2,000 acres, the preserve is full of scenic views and wildlife (especially birds), making it easy to understand why this area was sacred to California’s indigenous people.

While significantly smaller than the other two parks, Holdener Park is another favorite place to connect with nature. The rolling hills once filled with dairy cows are accented with wildflowers in the spring and butterflies in the summer.

Pro Tip: For a unique hiking experience, lace up your boots and head to Murrieta’s Well for an educational, 1.5-mile guided trek through their vineyards.

Drive Altamont Pass

For scenic valley views without breaking a sweat, drive up to Altamont Pass, east of Brushy Peak Regional Preserve. As you approach the summit, you’ll see one of the oldest wind farms in the United States. (The sky-high wind turbines filling the rolling hills along the pass were part of the Wind Rush in the 1980s.) And with more than 570 windmills, the Altamont Pass wind farm is one of the largest in the nation.

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Rent A Bike

When I was a high school student living in Livermore without a driver’s license (back when the years started with a “1”), the town was quite bikeable. And, like me, it’s only improved with age. Cyclists of all ages and skill levels can find everything from thrilling mountain biking and off-road trails to scenic, relatively flat paved paths. To see the sights of Livermore on two wheels, check out these self-guided tours that include wineries (of course) along with stops at Rosetta Roasting, the Olive Oil Pantry and Tasting Room, and the world’s longest-burning lightbulb.

While you can certainly rent a road- or mountain bike to hit the trails in Livermore, I highly recommend renting an electric bike from Pedego. You can read more about my experience renting an e-bike from Jim and Loretta Buck here, and if you’ve never ridden an electric bicycle before, you should know these ten things before you give it a go.

Pro Tip: Before you hit the trail, download a Livermore bikeways map here (PDF).

Or Explore A Different Trail

If you prefer to head down a path less traveled, try the Tri-Valley’s Caffeine Trail, starring 18 unique cafes, coffee houses, and tea rooms in Livermore and the surrounding towns of Pleasanton, Dublin, and Danville. And if you visit at least five of these caffeine-fueled destinations and share your photos of your cup of joe, tall glass of boba tea, or mug of hot chocolate, you will earn a special coffee cup to remember the experience.

The Tri-Valley’s ice cream trail offers ten sweet stops. The two trail stops in Livermore are Loard’s Ice Cream and Candies and Cream.

Established in Oakland shortly after World War II, Loard’s now has locations throughout the Bay Area. While every flavor is creamily delicious, if you want to go beyond basics like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, I recommend black raspberry, burgundy cherry, or green tea.

Cream began as an ice cream cookie sandwich shop in nearby Berkeley. And just like Cream has expanded its locations across the Bay Area, it’s also expanded its menu to include ice cream tacos, two-topping sundaes, and milkshakes.

Be Inspired By Brilliant Scientists

After its 45 wineries, Livermore is probably best known as the home of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. For more than six decades, some of the world’s most intelligent scientists have worked tirelessly to make the world a safer place by reducing the global threat of terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and climate change. You can learn more about the lab’s state-of-the-art research programs, computational capabilities, and experimental tools by visiting the Discovery Center.

Get Out On the Water

Just south of Sycamore Grove Park, outdoor enthusiasts and water lovers will enjoy

Del Valle Regional Park. At the heart of this 4,400-acre preserve is a five-mile-long finger-shaped lake that is a popular place to sail, paddle, windsurf, and kayak.

Pro Tip: Note that cyanobacteria (that nasty blue-green algae that is causing so much trouble in so many places) can be present in the reservoir. When levels are high, swimming is prohibited. Know what to expect before you go by reading the East Bay Regional Park District’s blue-green algae updates.

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Dine Al Fresco

With mild winter weather and summer days that cool off as soon as the sun sets, Livermore is a great town for outdoor dining. Add the natural beauty offered by grapevines, and it’s no wonder that one of my favorite places to dine al fresco in Livermore is the Garre Cafe. Enjoy everything from small bites to salads and sandwiches to full entrees on their sunny patio with vineyard views. Other delicious places to dine outdoors include Uncle Yu’s at the Vineyard and First Street Ale House.

Provided you purchase a bottle of wine and follow their guidelines, several Livermore wineries welcome picnics on their grounds. Whether you’re visiting with two-legged or four-legged children, a favorite family-friendly option is Retzlaff Vineyards.

Another picturesque place for a picnic is Rodrigue Molyneaux, with shade trees, colorful flowers, and horses on the adjacent property.

Pro Tip: For a picnic that goes beyond a red-and-white-checkered tablecloth draped over a wooden table, rent the grape arbor at Concannon Vineyard.

Where To Shop In Livermore

Just south of Interstate 580, you’ll find Northern California’s largest luxury outlet mall. Named for the coastal city about 45 minutes west of Livermore, San Francisco Premium Outlets is home to more than 180 stores, including sought-after premium brands like Burberry, Prada, Coach, Gucci, Kate Spade New York, Tory Burch, Ralph Lauren, Versace, Nike, Michael Kors, The North Face, and more.

Pro Tip: The San Francisco Premium Outlets include several dining options to provide enough nourishment to shop until you drop. You’ll find food court favorites, like Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon, and popular chains like Starbucks Coffee, Subway, and Chipotle. There are also healthier options, like Green Leaf’s and Bananas with made-to-order salads, grilled paninis, and smoothies.

Where to Stay In Livermore

For a unique place to stay in Livermore, check out The Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort and Spa. Surrounded by rows of grapevines and rolling hills on the eastern edge of town, each luxurious suite includes a fireplace and soaking tub. Each evening includes an “Olive and Vino” hour, and each morning starts with a delicious breakfast.

Livermore hotels also include a wide range of national chains, including Home2 Suites by Hilton, Hampton Inn, Best Western, and Holiday Inn Express.

Further Reading:

  • 10 Things To Know Before Renting An Electric Bike
  • 9 Small California Towns Perfect For Beach Lovers
  • 9 Must-Visit Quaint Coastal Towns In Northern California
Best Things To Do In Livermore, California After You've Tried All The Wine (2024)

FAQs

Best Things To Do In Livermore, California After You've Tried All The Wine? ›

Tucked away less than an hour east of the vibrant city of San Francisco, Livermore Valley Wine Country remains one of Northern California's best-kept secrets. Here, wine tasting is a leisurely affair—a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of California's more popular wine regions.

Is Livermore worth visiting? ›

Tucked away less than an hour east of the vibrant city of San Francisco, Livermore Valley Wine Country remains one of Northern California's best-kept secrets. Here, wine tasting is a leisurely affair—a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of California's more popular wine regions.

How many wineries are in Livermore California? ›

How Many Wineries are There in Livermore? There are more than 5,000 acres of winegrapes planted in the valley and about 50 wineries. Check out this Livermore Wine Country Map. Most of the wineries are in close proximity to one another making it an easy and convenient place to visit.

Where can I trick or treat in Livermore CA? ›

Top 10 Best Trick Or Treating Near Livermore, California
  • Moreland Pumpkin Patch. 4.5 (34 reviews) ...
  • San Francisco Premium Outlets. 3.3 (1.3k reviews) ...
  • Stoneridge Shopping Center. 3.5 (475 reviews) ...
  • Pirates of Emerson. ...
  • Alameda County Fair. ...
  • The Cinderella Company. ...
  • San Ramon Dougherty Station Farmers' Market. ...
  • Boomers Livermore.

What is the richest neighborhood in Livermore CA? ›

Check Out The Top 10 Most Expensive Neighborhoods To Live In Livermore:
  1. Carlton Square. With a median home price of $1,298,869 and a median rent of $2,350, Carlton Square is the most expensive neighborhood on our list. ...
  2. Rancho Arroyo. ...
  3. Summerset. ...
  4. Tempo. ...
  5. Sunset West. ...
  6. Vinsanto. ...
  7. Southside Livermore. ...
  8. Stratford Park.

What is the white population of Livermore CA? ›

Livermore Demographics

White: 62.07% Asian: 16.14% Two or more races: 12.36%

What is the oldest winery in Livermore? ›

Family Owned Since 1883

Wente Vineyards is the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned winery in the country.

Are Livermore wineries good? ›

Fantastic place, with great wines, possibly even better than some of the wines I've tasted in Napa!

What is the oldest winery in California? ›

The oldest winery in California is D'Agostini Winery in the Amador County town of Plymouth. According to the California Office of Historic Preservation, D'Agostini Winery was founded in 1856 by Adam Uhlinger, a Swiss immigrant.

Do people trick-or-treat in California? ›

In Los Angeles and Southern California, we trick or treat on October 31st, no matter what day of the week it happens to be, although we're all happiest when it falls on a Friday or Saturday.

Where is trick-or-treat celebrated? ›

Trick-or-treating has been associated with Halloween celebrations in the U.S. and Canada since the early 1900s, but traditions of children going door to door in a quest for treats exist in many parts of the world, with one European custom being widely recognized as the precursor of the North American tradition.

Is Livermore, CA a good area? ›

Livermore is a suburb of Oakland with a population of 87,154. Livermore is in Alameda County and is one of the best places to live in California. Living in Livermore offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Livermore there are a lot of coffee shops and parks.

What are some fun facts about Livermore CA? ›

It is the home of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, for which the chemical element livermorium is named (and thus, placing the city's name in the periodic table). It is also the California site of Sandia National Laboratories, which is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

What is the crime rate in Livermore? ›

Livermore Annual Crimes
ViolentProperty
Number of Crimes2021,688
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents)2.3819.93

Is Livermore a small city? ›

With a population of around 90,000, Livermore is a quaint town in the eastern Bay Area that has a lot to offer you and your family. Livermore is the perfect escape for anyone looking for a quiet place to settle down. Interested?

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