Livermore is one of those charming cities where you will find many enjoyable things to do. This is true for a party of adults or a family. This lovely city is located in the San Francisco Bay Area at its eastern edge before the Central Valley begins. The area is blessed with an abundance of outdoor recreation activities, year-round events and arts and culture.
Recreation in Livermore
One popular outdoor recreation area, just about five miles outside of Livermore, is Lake Del Valle Park. This spot is especially known for being a great place for families to vacation at. Just relaxing and enjoying the beautiful area will be sufficient to make memories that last a lifetime. This picturesque park is ideal for picnics and enjoying water sports such as boating and fishing. The park, which is located in Arroya del Valle, also is a good for swimming and horseback riding. You'll find the park on Del Valle Road, south of Livermore off Interstate 580.
Parks in Livermore
Sycamore Grove Park is a 775 expanse of trails, natural lands and wildlife. The park is home to a variety of wildlife including frogs, pond turtles, dragonflies, ducks or even muskrats. Grassland and oak woodland habitats shelter deer, ground squirrels, butterflies, lizards and birds such as red-tail hawks, white-tail kites, scrub jays, magpies and meadowlarks. If you are lucky you will see some of the animals in these areas. The park is open to leashed pets and horseback riders. Holderner Park is an open-space grassland that erupts in a riot of colors in the spring with wildflowers. In the small ravines shaded by majestic blue oaks there are a variety of insects, mammals, birds and reptiles. You may see deer, red tail hawks, great horned owls, a variety of butterflies and western fence lizards.
Garaventa Wetlands Preserve is located in the Springtown area of Livermore. It is known for its unique habitat which supports unusual plant and animal life. Although it is open by guided tour only, you can get a good look at it from the Altamont Creek Trail located to the south of the preserve. Take a pair of binoculars to look for birds such as the burrowing owl, northern harrier, loggerhead shrike, red-winged blackbird and western meadowlark. Not currently open to the public, special tours can be arranged for groups by calling the nature program at 925-960-2403.
Brushy Peak Regional Preserve is a well-known landmark of both the Livermore Valley and the Central Valley. For centuries Brushy Peak has drawn people to its slopes for cultural reasons and is considered a sacred place by Native American people.
In addition to the many birds and wildlife in the park, you can get stunning views of the Central Valley toward the Sierra Nevada mountains from the peak. Sandstone rock formations are scattered in the area and are in interesting shapes. Colorful lichens cover the rock surfaces, birds nest on them and a variety of creatures thrive in the rainwater that collects in the depressions in the rock.
Entertainment in Livermore
There’s a big focus on arts and culture in the beautiful Livermore. There are many annual events and festivities that locals and visitors will enjoy.
The Livermore Valley Opera is highly regarded in the arts circles. This company showcases famous opera productions every year in the spring and in the fall. The Livermore Valley Opera’s shows include classics such as Tosca and Romeo and Juliet. The opera also showcases notable events such as Opera in the Vineyard, where guests are treated to performances of famous arias. People attending the show bring a picnic dinner and enjoy wine from a local vineyard at this popular event.
Film enthusiasts and lovers of great cinema also will enjoy Livermore. The California Independent Film Festival is held here each year and offers film buffs something great to enjoy.
If you prefer to get your heart racing, check out Boomers in Livermore. This amusement park includes an arcade, mini golf, and go karts.
Downtown Livermore is also a good place to shop, dine and stroll through. Here, you’ll find a year-round Farmers Market . Sunday Farmers' Market is now 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and located at the Historic Train Depot located at Railroad Ave. & L St.The Thursday evening market is 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm and is located at Carnegie Park at 3rd & J Street, featuring live entertainment from local musicians.
Downtown is also the venue for many holiday and seasonal festivals, such as those for the winter holidays and Halloween. Other local favorites in Livermore include a Taste of Downtown and the Amgen Tour of California.
