Livermore
Livermore is a suburban city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Like its neighbor Pleasanton, it lies in the Tri-Valley region; however, Livermore is closer to the Altamont Pass, which separates the Tri-Valley from the vast San Joaquin Valley.
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27 places
- Eat
Backyard Bayou
At the Vineyard
This is probably the only Cajun-style restaurant in the Tri-Valley. There is a music program that includes some Dixieland music along with other genres. There is one other Backyard Bayou restaurant in Union City.
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Bankhead Theater
It is the main theater in the area, being much larger than the Firehouse Theater in Pleasanton. It was built several years ago, along with a parking structure near downtown.
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Bothwell Arts Center and Recreation Area
A smaller arts center in Livermore where events are organized. There is also a park near the arts center.
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Brushy Peak Regional Preserve
Nature reserve with quintessential East Bay landscapes and animals like ground squirrels, lizards, birds, and even rare San Joaquin kit foxes. There are numerous trails into the hills in the park, although you will need special permission to get to the top of Brushy Peak. The West Side Loop Trail is a 2-mile (3-km) loop trail. The eastern side of the loop trail runs through a flat valley (part of Brushy Creek). The trail then turns west, steadily climbing a hill, before it turns south and nears the top of the 1,100 foot (340 m) peak. At this point, it begins to come back down the hill and returns to the staging area. The Brushy Peak Loop Trail is a 4.4-mile (7.1-km) loop that starts at the Laughlin Staging Area. The trail follows an old ranch road past several small ponds. The trail turns here, climbing the side of a hill which is covered in eucalyptus trees. The trail continues to rise, becoming a single track trail. It continues to climb through a region of scattered rocks. While reaching an elevation of 1,340 feet (410 m) over a distance of 2 miles (3.2 km), small oak trees are seen. The narrow trail then goes through a pass and winds down the west side of Brushy Peak. At this point, the trail turns south, winding along Brushy Creek until it reaches the West Side Trail. A collection of shorter trails dominate the southeast section of the park. These trails generally go around hills, reaching elevations of 700 feet (210 m) to 1,000 feet (300 m) over grasslands. Windmills can be seen from these trails. The southernmost trail in this region of the park, the Dyer Ranch Trail, connects with Laughlin Road near Springtown.
- See
Centennial Light
The Centennial Light, the world's longest-lasting light bulb, used to be a 30-watt or 60-watt bulb but now is very dim, emitting about the same light as a 4-watt nightlight. The hand-blown, carbon-filament common light bulb was manufactured in Shelby, Ohio, by the Shelby Electric Company in the late 1890s; many just like it still exist and can be found functioning. The bulb's long life has been attributed to its low power, nearly continuous operation, and dedicated power supply.
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Donut Wheel
On the corner of First and L Streets, this Livermore staple marks the west entrance to the main downtown area.
24-hours
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Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is an American federal research facility, founded by the University of California, Berkeley in 1952. LLNL (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) conducts research into the properties and behavior of plutonium to learn how plutonium performs as it ages and how it behaves under high pressure. A Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), it is primarily funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and managed and operated by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS). In 2012, the laboratory had the synthetic chemical element livermorium named after it. Access to Livermore Laboratory is limited. Most of the visitors are school students on field trips, who go to the Discovery Center.
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Livermore Trail Network
Several miles of biking/hiking trails surround the city of Livermore. These go through vineyards and follow ranch lands, as well as following local creeks. The trail network is accessible from the Sycamore Grove Park staging area on Wetmore Road, along with a staging area near Hansen Road at Holdener Park. Two main trails have been created that go around the city of Livermore. The South Livermore Valley Trail extends from Wetmore Road near Sycamore Grove Park, along Wente Street and Concannon Boulevard, ending on Tesla Road at Mines Road. The Arroyo Mocho Trail, which combines City of Livermore and LARPD trail segments, runs from Concannon Boulevard west toward Isabel Avenue.
- See
Los Vaqueros Reservoir
Los Vaqueros Reservoir is an expanded reservoir to the north of Livermore. There are hike-able grounds around the lake, although these are sometimes closed for the bald eagles that occasionally settle in the area. The Los Vaqueros watershed comprises 19,300 acres (78 km²) of open space surrounding the 1,500-acre (6.1-km²) reservoir. Water is pumped into the reservoir from a Delta intake on Old River in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta when salinity is low, and used for drinking water when salinity in the Delta is too high. The Watershed also serves as a weather data collection site for Mallory Ridge weather station located at the top of the ridge above the Marina. The station has a remote access water station (RAWS), which is maintained by the Los Vaqueros Watershed Staff and linked to the National Fire Weather System. Other benefits of the reservoir include water storage for drought or emergencies, a protected open space, and recreation. There are 55 miles (89 km) of hiking trails in the watershed. The watershed is open for fishing, hiking and other activities year-round. Electric rental boats are available, but no outside boats can be launched on the lake. No swimming is allowed in the reservoir.
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Ravenswood House
A historic house now open to the public on certain occasions and run by the Livermore Parks District.
Second and fourth Sun of each month: noon- 4PM
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Retzlaff Vineyards
Vineyards and wines available; live music program runs year-round.
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Strizzi's
The other Strizzi's Italian restaurants are in Pleasanton and Fremont.
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Sycamore Grove Park
Sycamore Grove Park, which connects to Del Valle Regional Park, has several miles of trails through an olive orchard, sycamore groves, a collection of abandoned wineries, and several trails in the hills near Livermore. There are two staging areas for Sycamore Grove Park: one is the Veterans Staging area, which goes through Veterans Memorial Park to connect to Sycamore Grove, and the other is along Wetmore Road.
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Wente Vineyards
There is a golf course, restaurant, and winery along Arroyo Road. Wente has a more industrialized location along Tesla Road as well.
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Wingen Bakery
Popular bakery and café with sourdough bagels, loose-leaf tea, fresh bread, pastries, sandwiches, and meals. The bakery started as a literal mom-and-pop shop, a cottage bakery run by a couple who sold sourdough bread they baked at home while taking care of their ailing daughter. The bread was so popular, they expanded to a farmers market stall and then a brick-and-mortar restaurant a year later.
Wed–Mon 8AM-4PM
- Do Not mapped
Arroyo del Valle Trail
A couple of miles of paved trail through Sycamore Grove Park. It is accessible from either of the two main staging areas.
- Do Not mapped
Livermore Valley Opera
Stages fall and spring productions of famous operas each year.
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Ben's Burgers
777 Rincon Ave
10AM-9PM
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Bent Creek Winery
5455 Greenville Road
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Casa Orozco
325 South L Street
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Concannon Vineyard
Large winery/vineyards in Tesla Road Wine Country.
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McGrail Vineyards
5600 Greenville Road
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Mitchell Katz Winery
2481 Buena Vista Avenue
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Murrieta's Well
3005 Mines Rd
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Panama Bay Coffee Co.
2115 First St
- Buy
San Francisco Premium Outlets
2774 Livermore Outlets Dr.
Daily 10AM-9PM
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Zephyr Grill and Bar
1736 First St
25 of 27 places have map locations.