Walnut Creek, California is located in Contra Costa County, a part of the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. While this city is home to many fine attractions and attributes, one of its best fest features is its proximity to other desirable cities in Northern California. Bisected by two major routes, Interstate 680 and Highway 24, Walnut Creek is well-connected, making a day trip to Oakland, Vallejo or Napa and easy and worthwhile excursion. Day trips are not only easy, but less expensive since you don’t have to pay to stay in a hotel. And if you haven’t seen all these cities have to offer in one trip, you can always come again another day.
Oakland
Oakland is 16 miles west of Walnut Creek, a trip that takes about 21 minutes by car and 30 minutes on the BART. A great place to go with friends or family, Oakland has a number of attractions and things to do, including the Oakland Museum of California, the Oakland Zoo, the Paramount Theatre, Fairyland and the Chabot Space and Science Center. Offering entertainment for a variety of interests, from art and science to fairy tales and animals, these attractions are great for a variety of ages and tastes. A city with a lot of culture and art history, Oakland rivals the grandeur of San Francisco across the bay. You can even catch an Oakland Athletics or Oakland Raiders game during the appropriate seasons.
Vallejo
Vallejo is another city near Walnut Creek that is worth visiting for a day. The town is in Solana Valley 20 miles away from Walnut Creek, making it an easy drive and great choice for a day trip. Home to such exciting places as Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, which has animal exhibits, thrilling rides and family attractions, the Vallejo Art and Heritage District, Naval and Historical Museum and the Jelly Belly Candy Company, Vallejo entertains visitors with its many opportunities for sightseeing, dining and shopping. The location of the West Coast’s first United States Navy Base at Mare Island Shipyard, Vallejo is full of history and culture, not to mention fun.
Napa
One of Northern California’s most well-known spots is the gorgeous and productive Napa Valley. Walnut Creek is only 50 miles away from this majestic spot, ensuring that a trip to Napa is a popular choice for those in the city. As an area frequented by people from all over the world, you know Napa is a place worth going for the day, even if the drive there is a little over an hour. Known for its lush scenery, stunning vineyards and world-famous wineries, this area will charm you with its many opportunities for wine tasting, dining and pampering. A state jewel, Napa provides you with memorable activities, such as wine tours, spa days and hot air balloon rides over the picturesque land. Whatever you do, you will find the town to be luxurious, fun and unforgettable. To get to Napa from Walnut Creek, you just need to take the I-680 to the CA 121 to Napa.