Part of Alameda County, Livermore is a city located east of San Francisco and accessible via Interstate 580E.
Livermore Valley Wine Country boasts over 50 wineries. Wente Vineyards is the country’s oldest continuously operated family-owned winery founded 130 years ago, the nation’s first varietally labeled Chardonnay (1936 vintage) and California’s First Family of Chardonnay. Concannon Vineyard, 4948 Tesla Rd, is the producer of America’s first Petite Sirah (1961).
The 25th Annual Livermore Wine Country Festival will be held April 30 (10-6)-May 1 (10-5) in historic downtown Livermore. This will be a large celebration of wine, craft brews, arts, crafts, shopping, dining, and entertainment. The annual Livermore Rodeo will be held June 11-12.
The Windfarm along Altamont Pass boasts windmills as far as the eye can see, across the rolling hills generating power. You can access Altamont Pass off of I-580.
There are many fine dining options in the Livermore Valley. Reserve a bocce court as a side dish to your meal, at the popular Campo di Bocce, located 175 E. Vineyard Avenue. Operating from Sunday-Thursday 11-9:30, and Friday-Saturday 11-10, call 925-249-9800 to reserve your court. For a more intimate and formal meal, enjoy some Southern Italian cuisine in a warm and inviting ambience at Terra Mia, located at 4040 East Ave.
If golf is your game (like mine), there are many options in Livermore. Las Positas, located at 917 Clubhouse Drive, offers both an 18 hole, par 72 championship Robert Muir Graves designed course, as well as a 9 hole municipal course. There is an extensive practice area with bunkers, and a driving range. Las Positas will provide sufficient challenge with 7 lakes and lots of trees. The 19th hole restaurant at Las Positas, Beeb’s, has great food and drink. Call 925-455-7820 to reserve your round.
If a longer 9 hole course is more your speed, try Springtown, a par 35 course located at 939 Larkspur Drive. Springtown offers two sets of tees, allowing for 18 hole play if you wish. Call 925-455-5695 to reserve.
If you want to play a stellar vineyard course, head to the Course at Wente Vineyards, located at 5050 Arroyo Rd. Designed by PGA great Greg Norman, greens fees here typically exceed $100, and the course and the scenery is beautiful, with vineyards and rolling hills. If you left your heart in San Francisco, you’ll enjoy the 18th hole cart path which provides a steeply declined set of switchback turns, reminiscent of the famous “Crooked Street” section of Lombard in the Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. Call 925-456-2475 to reserve your tee time. The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards is also onsite (925-456-2450).
Finally, Poppy Ridge, the sister course of the famous Poppy Hills Golf Course in Carmel, located at 4280 Greenville Rd, offers 27 holes (3 nine hole courses). NCGA members can present their cards for a discounted rate. Call 925-447-6779 to reserve.
If shopping is your thing, head to the San Francisco Premium Outlets located at 2774 Livermore Outlets Drive. Amble through this outdoor shopping mecca boasting 182 stores, including Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Loft, Bloomingdales, Saks 5th Avenue, White House Black Market, Gap, Bose, Old Navy, Express, The Limited, Under Armour, Taylormade, Van Heusen, and many designer boutiques.
Plan your visit to Livermore Valley at http://www.livermore.com or http://www.livermoredowntown.com.
Next SF Bay Girl post is scheduled 2/28/16.
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