Millennials love it and so do we. Just 30 miles east of Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco’s Tri-Valley is a milieu for anyone eager to discover and explore. This beautiful confluence of three valleys holds five cities: Pleasanton, Livermore, San Ramon, Dublin, and the town of Danville; and an exciting blend of scientists, ranchers, dot-commers, chefs, and artists who call it home. It’s young and booming. In fact, Livermore, named one of Business Insider’s Hottest Neighborhoods in America for 2013, boasts a median age of 35. Pleasanton was recently chosen as one of USA Today’s Top 5 of America’s Best Cities to live in. So when it comes to trying what’s new, Tri-Valley is a great place to start. Here’s what’s trending now.
BOGA & Brush Strokes
Each weekend in Shadow Cliffs Regional Park, BOGA Flow Stand Up Paddleboard yoga classes encourage yoga devotees to invigorate their practice with a couple of hours on the lake, floating on a BOGA board. Prefer your yoga on land? Check out wineries (like Wente Vineyards and Concannon Vineyard) that offer classes on their grounds. In the town of Danville, Pinot’s Palette is a social studio that allows you to discover your inner Matisse as you sip wine, listen to music, and make new friends.
Shrimp & Grits
Across the Tri-Valley, an exciting number of amazing restaurants have opened their doors, reflecting the rich mix of its residents’ backgrounds and cultures. The valley’s culinary offerings, ranging from exotic to family friendly, live up to their rave reviews. Grab your fork or chopsticks and ask for directions to succulent Revel’s Shrimp & Grits and Primo’s Cajun Pasta Fresca in the town of Danville; Shalimar’s curry-laced Saag Chicken and Khyber Pass’s freshly made hummus in Dublin; Jack’s Grill’s gingerspiced Island Chicken Skewers in San Ramon; El Sacromonte’s ceviche and Sauced’s Southern barbecue brisket in Livermore; and Fernando’s Chile Verde burritos and Strizzi’s Asiago and Garlic Ravioli in Pleasanton. And then there’s dessert.
Craft Beers & Growlers
The beer scene has really come into its own across the valley, with craft breweries and imaginative venues for beer tasting. When locals Steve Sartori and Greg Robles founded Altamont Beer Works in Livermore, they purposely set up shop close to several wineries. “Our tasting atmosphere is much different, with loud music playing and an informal, fun vibe,” Steve says. Besides weekend wine tasters, Altamont attracts a regular crowd on weekdays who routinely come to refill their growlers. Eight Bridges Brewing Company in Livermore also offers growlers plus sampler paddles of four beers for on-site tastings. Now a collection of establishments have formed the Tri-Valley Beer Trail with stops in all five cities.
Trails & Courses
Seventeen parks throughout the Tri-Valley offer fun trails with terrain ranging from nearly flat to steep, with altitude gains of up to 1,100 feet. Hike, bike, ride, and take in the spectacular panoramic views. Las Trampas Regional Wilderness overs 5,342 untamed acres between San Ramon and Danville. Cyclists love the undulating terrain of Sycamore Grove Park and Iron Horse Regional Trail. Golfers have an inspiring range of courses to try, including a Robert Trent Jones design at Dublin Ranch Golf Course and Greg Norman’s Course at Wente Vineyards.
Wine Trolleys & Classes
The Livermore Valley Wine Trolley is a great new way to see the region. On a typical tour, you’ll visit four separate wineries in various parts of Livermore Valley. “We want our customers to see as much of wine country as possible,” says Owner Brian Luke. “And the next time they tour, we’ll take them to four more wineries.” Wente’s new Winemaker’s Studio is all about interactive wine education. Each day, the studio offers an exciting curriculum of hands-on classes. You can also purchase a 1-liter growler of small-lot artisan wine and return for refills when you're ready for more.
Outlets & Boutiques
Visitors to the Tri-Valley can literally shop until they drop, with one-of-a-kind boutiques in all five cities and great shopping centers with everything imaginable. Livermore Premium Outlets has 130 designer and name brand stores and plans to add up to 80 new stores soon. Before you go, you can sign up for the VIP Shopper Club to save even more than the 25 to 65 percent discounts offered daily. You’ll also want to stroll through the chic little shops in downtown Pleasanton and in the town of Danville.
To learn more about what’s trending in the booming Tri-Valley, visit visittrivalley.com.