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Places To Go In
Central California
Contra
Costa County
Includes Walnut Creek
& Concord
Buchanan Field Viewing Plaza
John Glenn Drive, Concord, CA
94520
Buchanan Field Airport
The Buchanan Field Viewing Plaza includes an airport control tower, ticket counter, and airplane play structures.
There are picnic tables under two umbrella shade structures and another area with benches and bleachers where the
public can hear the communications between the Air Traffic Control Tower and aircraft movement overhead.
The paved plaza is enclosed by a fence with two gates, it has a 50 foot diagram of the airfield runways
painted on the ground, and has become a popular location with local play groups who enjoy the aviation activities
of the airport and the additional advantage of a place where their children can bring and use their own bikes, scooters and wagons.
[Submitted by Julie Conti].
To access the plaza, turn into the airport on John Glenn Drive
and follow the road to its end. The plaza will be on the
left, near the Air Traffic Control Tower.
Heather Farms Garden Center
1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA
94598
(925)947-1539
 Established in 1968, the gardens are a living museum, a wildlife
habitat, an outdoor classroom, and a beautiful place for
everyone to enjoy. Check their website for
education opportunities. To volunteer call (925)
947-6712.
 Lindsay Wildlife Museum
1931 First Ave, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
(925) 935-1978
Connect with wildlife and learn about
the animals found in our backyards and open spaces.
At Lindsay Wildlife Museum you can have close encounters with
many live, non-releasable wild animals such as an eagle, hawk,
fox, snake or coyote. An on-site wildlife hospital treats more
than 6,000 native California animals every year. The museum also
features changing art and natural history exhibits, classes for
children and adults, and a discovery room with hands-on
activities for children. Please note, the museum is closed
on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Visit
their website for hours, pricing, current exhibits, and a virtual tour!
Don't forget to check out their
opportunities for volunteers!
Mount Diablo State
Park
Oak
Grove and Northgate Road
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
(925)
837 2525
A great jewel of the California park
system. Hiking, incredible views of the region,
and an array of local flora and fauna. Mount
Diablo is a huge and rugged park, so do visit the
website above to plan your time there according to your
time and your fitness level. Be sure to pack
plenty of water to keep hydrated on the trails, and
don't forget to pick up a trail map at the visitor
center. For information on park weather conditions
up on the mountain call (925) 838-9225.
Park is open 8am
to sunset Monday through Saturday. Summit
Museum hours: 10am-4pm.
Mount Diablo State Park Brochure (pdf file)
Park Location Map and Directions
Old Borges Ranch
1035 Castle Rock Road,
Walnut Creek.
(925) 942-0225
For many people California history
calls up images of the 49ers and the gold rush or of local
Native American tribes in tule reed dwellings. But the
eras of Spanish, Mexican, and early American habitation in
California saw the introduction and expansion of cattle
ranching. On the Borges Ranch, visitors can see a
small working cattle ranch that encapsulates ranch life in
the late 1800s and early 1900s. Here you'll find
the original barns of the Borges Ranch plus a ranch house,
wagonshed, woodshed, windmill, blacksmith shop, corrals, and
antique farm equipment. 100 head of cattle still
graze here, and kids and will especially enjoy the farm
animals. Besides living history, the ranch emphasizes
environmental education and land preservation.
 Open daily from 8 am to sunset.
Admission is free. The ranch is situated in, and
serves as ranger headquarters for, the 1400 acre Walnut
Creek Open Space and Shell Ridge Recreation Area.
For more information about hiking here
visit the
Borges Ranch Hiking Page.
Picnickers will enjoy the ranch's Hanna Grove Picnic Area.
Note that the Borges Ranch Holiday Hoedown is held on the
first Saturday in December and Borges Ranch Day happens on
the first Saturday in June. Both events are free.
To volunteer, call supervising ranger
Nancy Dollard, (925) 943-5899, Ext. 135.
Shadelands Ranch Historical
Museum
2660 Ygnacio Valley Road
(925) 935-7871
 If you have
older kids who are learning about California history, you
might enjoy a visit to this Walnut Creek landmark built by
pioneer Hiram Penniman in 1903 for his spinster daughter.
The grounds feature gardens and outbuildings that represent
the era's way of life on a working farm. And the
redwood-framed house showcases numerous historical
artifacts, including local newspapers, photographs and
government records. For
individuals wishing to do research on local history, the
Sherwood Burgess Room is open Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m.
 Please note that
the museum is closed each year from the beginning of
November until the first Sunday in February
to allow for
refurbishing -- as well as the hosting of the Walnut Creek
Historical Society's Holiday Faire and Victorian Teas.
Hours: Wednesday and Sunday
(tours offered) - 1 to 4 p.m. Closed late November through
early February. Admission:
$3, adults; $1,
students ages 6-17, free; children under 6 and WCHS members.
Reservations for 10 or more by appointment.
Office hours: Mon-Thurs, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Call Director Hannah Clayborn at 925-935-7871 to ask about
volunteer opportunities.
Sugarloaf Open Space
2161 Youngs Valley Road, Walnut Creek CA 94596
(off Rudgear Road)
(925) 944-5766
Picnic and group
barbecue areas, rest rooms, extensive hiking and equestrian
trails (with trail connections to Rudgear Park and Shell
Ridge Open Space). Camping available. Dogs
okay on leash.
Summit Museum
96 Mitchell Canyon Rd
Clayton, CA 94517
(925) 837-6119
Get directions
Part of the Mount Diablo State Park
Visitor's Center. The summit museum is located in the historic stone building atop Mt. Diablo's highest peak. The tower was constructed during the late 1930's of fossiliferous sandstone blocks quarried in the park. The Visitor Center highlights the cultural and natural history of Mt. Diablo State Park.
Impressive exhibits chronicle the history of the mountain and capture its majesty. A rock wall with instructional video examines the geological forces which created the mountain. Panels describe the native American history of the region. A diorama, complete with native sounds, offers an overview of the park's ecosystems. A model of the mountain acquaints visitors with important park locations. Splendid photographs enhance the visitor's experience.
In addition to the exhibits, the summit museum features a gift shop and audio-visual room.
Open Daily - 10am to 4pm
Walnut Creek
Model Railroad Society
2751
Buena Vista Ave., Walnut Creek, CA 94597-2503
Off Geary Road - In Larkey Park
(925) 937-1888
Get directions
Whether
you love Thomas the Tank engine or collect scale model HO
train sets, you'll enjoy a visit to see the miniature world
lovingly laid out in this picturesque 1,800 square foot HO
scale model. No, you won't see Thomas and Bertie
or any of their friends. But you will see an amazingly
detailed landscape of mini mountains, docks, towns, plus a
plethora of working trains and trolleys that is sure to fire the imagination.
And with some 4,300 feet of track a single train circuit
takes 15 minutes! (View the video below for more
info.)
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