East Bay, San Francisco Bay Area Attractions
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Across the Oakland Bay Bridge from San Francisco lie the large megalopolis of Oakland, Berkeley and a string of other cities. Berkeley is noted for the University of California where many Nobel Prize winners have taught over the years. Berkeley was also the site of the discovery of many of the heavier atomic elements.
Berkeley, California
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Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Antioch, California
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve is the perfect location for hiking, nature study, wildlife viewing and picnicking. Within the Black Diamond area were five coal mining towns from the 1860s until the 1900s. Little remains of the Nortonville, Somersville, Stewartville, West Hartley and Judsonville communities.The Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve features Rose Hill Cemetery, the Greathouse Visitor Center - located in an underground chamber excavated in the mid-1920s, and the mine tour. The Hazel-Atlas Mine Tour takes visitors back 400 feet to see mine workings, ore chutes, and ancient geological features.
Hayward, California
Hayward was founded in 1852 by William Hayward, who purchased 40 acres of land - this is now Downtown Hayward. Early Hayward consisted of a stage coach stop, post office, general trading store, a dairy farm, and one of the area's finest hotel resorts.
Hayward Area Historical Society Museum
The Hayward Area Historical Society celebrates the diverse heritage of the community through educational programs, interpretive exhibitions, and the preservation of historic sites and artifacts. The Downtown Museum offers a permanent exhibition on the history of the Hayward area; new changing exhibitions on a variety of historical topics every three months; a Curiosity Clubhouse for children to explore hands-on activities; and school and public programs. The Research Library at the museum is open to anyone interested in exploring the history of the Hayward area more in-depth through the collection of books, photographs, newspapers, scrapbooks and other ephemera.
Japanese Gardens
The Japanese Gardens in Hayward features 3.3 acres with plants from Japan and the state of California. There is a koi pond and teahouse.
McConaghy Home and Carriage House
The McConaghy Home and Carriage House is a restored 1886 house with period antiques and a carriage house.
Livermore, California
Livermore is located 23mi/37km east of San Francisco on Interstate 580. The town is home to the Lawrence Livermore National Research Laboratory.Livermore was established in 1869 by William Mendenhall. The town was named for Robert Livermore, an English sailor who settled in the area in 1835.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Located about 45 miles east of San Francisco the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is a national laboratory run by the U.S. Department of Energy and operated by the University of California. Begun as a naval air station, the lab now does work with industry and academic partners.
Las Positas Golf Course
The Las Positas Golf Course in Livermore is a 27-hole course, with 18 normal and 9 executive holes.
San Leandro, California
San Leandro is located 15mi/24km southeast of Oakland. First discovered on March 20, 1772 by a Spanish soldier and Spanish Catholic priest. San Leandro was settled by many who were not successful during the Gold Rush. Over the years, the town has grown substantially!
Casa Peralta
The Casa Peralta in San Leandro was built in 1901 and has been restored to its appearance from the 1920's. Highlights include the history of Luis Maria Peralta and his sons. Spanish tiles inside the fence relate the story of Don Quixote.
Alameda, California
Alameda (pop. 76,459) is located on an island on the east shore of San Francisco Bay, 6mi/10km east of San Francisco.Alameda was incorporated in 1854. It is a shipbuilding and shipping center.
USS Hornet Museum
The USS Hornet is docked at Pier 3 at the former Alameda Naval Air Station on Alameda Point. On display are vintage clothing, photographs, art, toys and a bicycle built for six. A gallery features works by local artists.
Alameda Historical Museum
The Alameda Historical Museum has displays from the history of the town including photos, furniture and toys.
Crockett Historical Museum, Crockett, California
The Crockett Historical Museum is housed in the former Southern Pacific Depot. Memorabilia from local residents as well as a display of the C & H Sugar Refinery are featured.
Pleasanton, California
Pleasanton is located 15mi/24km east of San Francisco Bay. Activities include swimming at Shadow Cliff, golfing at one of the three courses, visiting the Farmers Market on Saturday mornings or a tour of the Museum on Main.
Rapids Waterslide at Shadow Cliffs
The Rapids Waterslide at Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton is a great family attraction with a wave pool, waterslides, slow river for floating, and kids activity area.
Joel Clayton Home and Museum, Clayton, California
Clayton Historical Society was founded in 1974 and features exhibits of historical and community events. Memorabilia and historical resources are available.
Danville, California
Danville is located on Highway 680 to the east of Oakland. The town offers eight parks and Iron Horse Trail, a walking and biking route.
Blackhawk Automotive Museum
The Blackhawk Automotive Museum has two galleries - one has over 120 cars from 1897 to the present on display. The Smithsonian Galleries present rotating exhibitions.
Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site
Eugene O'Neill was the only American playwright to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. The house where he lived is located in the hills above Danville and is a National Historic Site.
Port Chicago Naval Magazine Memorial
Port Chicago is a memorial that commemorates the explosion that occurred at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine on July 17, 1944, which resulted in the largest domestic loss of life during World War II.
Martinez, California
Martinez (pop. 31,808) is located 18mi/29km east of Oakland on Suisun Bay. It is the site of the naturalist John Muir's house.
John Muir National Historic Site
The Historic Site in Martinez is an 1882 house and was the home of the founder of the Sierra Club, John Muir - a noted author and preservationist. His Victorian home is well preserved and surrounded by fruit orchards and oak woodland.
Martinez Historical Museum
The Martinez Historical Museum has displays of the history of the region.
Martinez Waterfront Park Marina
The Martinez Waterfront Park Marina is on North Court Street.
Hearst Art Gallery, Moraga, California
The Hearst Art Gallery in Moraga was built in 1977, replacing the original gallery from 1934.
Stage 1 Repertory Theatre, Newark, California
Stage 1 Repertory Theatre is a non-profit theatre group that performs comedy, drama and musicals.
Walnut Creek, California
Walnut Creek (pop. 60,569) is located 10mi/16km south of Suisun Bay.
Lindsay Wildlife Museum
At Lindsay Wildlife Museum, wild animals are just inches away. More than 50 species of live, non-releasable native California animals are on exhibit at this unique natural history and environmental education center in Walnut Creek. The on-site wildlife rehabilitation center is one of the oldest and largest in the United States, treating nearly 6,000 injured or orphaned animals each year.Founded in 1955, the museum's programs "connect people with wildlife to inspire responsibility and respect for the world we share." The museum houses a hands-on discovery room for children, a pet education section with small domestic animal, and changing natural history and art exhibits.
The Gardens at Heather Farm
The Gardens at Heather Farm showcase landscape styles and plants adapted to the area's Mediterranean climate with its hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Over 20 gardens are featured, each with a different focus.The demonstration gardens function as living classrooms with educational tours, classes, and workshops for adults and children. The Natural Science Classroom program features interactive science and ecology presentations for children preschool through high school.The gardens and building can be rented for private events.
Mount Diablo State Park
Mount Diablo State Park is located east of San Francisco. Its 20,000 acres offer hiking trails. Visitors can drive almost to the summit of Mount Diablo for excellent views. On clear days 600 miles of the Sierra Nevada Range and portions of 35 counties are visible. On the summit is an interpretive center.
Diablo Theatre Company
The Diablo Theatre Company features Broadway and contemporary musicals as well as classes for ages 4-19.
