Eye On The Bay: Daytrip, Livermore - 6/23/11
Daytrips don't always have to involve beaches, redwoods, or San Francisco neighborhoods. Daytrips can also be, to Livermore!
Livermore?
It's 100 percent the city that has it all – an historic downtown, tasty dining options and a wine country built literally, by families, some who changed careers to try their hands at a way of life that's shaped this ranching valley.
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LIVERMORE WINE COUNTRY
There are several large, well-established wineries and tasting rooms, and DOZENS of charming, mom and pop wineries (most opened on weekends only – please check for times). We recommend visiting the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association website for a comprehensive listing:
Livermore Winegrowers Association
www.lvwine.org
To tour the Livermore Valley by bicycle (this was a blast!!!), visit:
Livermore Valley Wine and Cycle Tours:
www.livermorewineandcycletours.com
To tour the property of Ruby Hill Winery by bus, visit:
Ruby Hill Winery (Mello Cielo Bus Tours)
400 Vineyard Avenue
Pleasanton, CA 94566
(925) 931-9463
www.rubyhillwinery.net
Check out an amazing wine lounge on the property of Concannon, one of the valley's oldest wineries:
Underdog Wine Bar
4590 Tesla Road, Livermore, CA
925 583-1570
http://underdogwinemerchants.com/underdog-wine-bar
Here are some of the mom and pop wineries we visited:
Tenuta Vineyards
633 Kalthoff Commons Livermore, CA
(925) 960-1006
www.tenutawinery.com
Fenestra Winery
83 Vallecitos Rd Livermore, CA
(925) 447-5246
www.fenestrawinery.com
El Sol Winery
8626 Lupin Way
Livermore, CA 94550
www.elsolwine.com
McGrail Winery and Vineyards
5600 Greenville Road
Livermore, CA 94550
(925) 215-0717
www.mcgrailvineyards.com
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DOWNTOWN DAYTRIP:
Lots to do and eat in Livermore's historic downtown. The Downtown Livermore website is the first place to start for all activities, including the THURSDAY NIGHT FARMER's MARKET!!!!!!
Downtown Livermore
www.livermoredowntown.com
Here are some of the stops we made, including dinner and a movie (inside the theater!!!!) and a visit to the charming Blacksmith Square, which has a number of great shops and wine tasting and dining spots!
Riata Diner and Tavern
190 South "J" Street
Livermore California
(925) 294-9170
www.riatadinerandtavern.com
Vine Cinema
1722 1st Street
Livermore, CA 94550-4305
(925) 447-2545
www.vinecinema.com
Zephyr Grill and Bar
1736 1st Street
Livermore, CA 94550-4305
(925) 961-1000
www.zephyrgrill.com
Blacksmith Square
21 & 25 South Livermore Ave
Livermore, CA 94550
www.blacksmithsquarelivermore.com
Artisitc Edge (inside Blacksmith Square)
21 S Livermore Ave # 113
Livermore, CA, 94550
(925) 454-0369
www.artisticedgelivermore.com
Swirl on the Square
21 South Livermore Avenue #105
Livermore CA 94554
(925) 477-1400
www.swirlonthesq.com
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ACTIVITIES ABOUT TOWN:
On families "Bay Area bucket list" should be a visit to Fire Station 6 to see the famed longest burning Livermore Light Bulb:
www.centennialbulb.org
Maybe you're into daytripping adventures, extreme-style! How about a flight aboard a combat acrobatic plane:
Attitude Aviation
299 West Jack London Boulevard
Livermore, CA 94551-7637
(925) 456-2276
www.attitudeaviation.com
Into history? On the third Sunday of the month, one of the oldest auto repair shops in the Bay Area opens to the public. It's the Duarte Garage and it's tied to the rich history of the Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental highway in the U.S. For more information, visit:
Livermore Heritage Guild
www.livermorehistory.com