GlobalSpa
28-Apr-2026
The best ways to explore Tri-Valley in the spring/summer season!
With its sunny skies and fields of wildflowers in full bloom, spring is the perfect time to explore Tri-Valley. Located just a short distance from San Francisco, the Tri-Valley region, comprising the cities of Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, and Danville, offers a scenic getaway through its natural landscape, wine country charm, and outdoor recreation.
1. Visit a Lake
Springtime in Tri-Valley usually hovers around the mid-70s, which is perfect weather for a lake day. Del Valle Regional Park features a 5-mile-long man-made lake offering a variety of water activities such as boating, swimming, windsurfing, and paddleboarding. The lake is surrounded by 4,395 acres of rolling hills and scenic viewpoints perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Only a mile from downtown Pleasanton, Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area is also a fitting springtime retreat. This swimming and fishing haven also features a sandy beach and is a great place to sunbathe, relax, or enjoy a picnic. Besides the main lake, Shadow Cliffs has an arroyo with a chain of smaller lakes and ponds. While no swimming or boating is allowed here, the shaded pathways make for peaceful walking or running trails.
2. Go for Wine Tasting
The Livermore Valley Wine Country is home to over 50 wineries, many of them with sprawling lawns, shaded gardens, and comfortable outdoor tasting areas. During spring, Livermore's rolling hills turn a brilliant green, creating scenic backdrops. Several wineries are locally owned by second or third-generation winemakers who can sometimes be found roaming the vineyards or tasting rooms during the weekends. Some of the gems of Livermore’s renowned wine route include Bent Creek Winery, Del Valle Winery, McGrail Vineyards and Winery, Wente Family Vineyards, Ruby Hill Winery, Rubino Estates Winery, Pruett Farms, Retzlaff Vineyards, Murrieta’s Well, and Las Positas Vineyards, each one offering a unique wine tasting experience.
3. Explore Tri-Valley on a Bike
There are hundreds of miles of interconnected bike paths in the Tri-Valley region, making it easy to explore while enjoying the great outdoors. Rent an electric bike from Pedego Livermore and cruise past vineyards and orchards to wine-taste along the way or ride through rolling hills to the charming downtowns. The Downtown Pleasanton Loop, Iron Horse Trail Loop, Downtown Danville Loop, Livermore Winery Loop, Downtown Danville Loop, Sycamore Grove Park, Lake Del Valle Climb, and Mount Diablo Summit Climb are some popular biking routes offering a mix of urban and rural experiences for both beginner and advanced bikers.
4. Plan a Picnic
What better way to ring in the season than by packing a snack and taking it somewhere gorgeous? Start by stopping at one of Tri-Valley’s year-round Farmer’s Markets located in thedowntowns for some locally sourced snacks. Once you have your Farmer’s Market finds, post up at one of the many scenic picnic areas around Tri-Valley. From family-friendly picnics at Del Valle Regional Park or Emerald Glen Park to winery picnics at McGrail Vineyards or Retzlaff Vineyards, or a scenic picnic at Mount Diablo State Park, the Tri-Valley offers many such areas for diverse picnic experiences.
5. Search for Wildflowers
Each spring, Tri-Valley hillsides turn bright green and become carpeted in patches and fields of various wildflowers, including the ever-popular California poppy. Some of the wildflowers that grow in the valley are so rare that they bloom exclusively in this region and nowhere else in the world like Diablo buckwheat or the Mount Diablo sunflower, which only grows in and around Mount Diablo State Park. Other places for spotting wildflowers in spring include Las Trampas Regional Park, Del Valle Regional Park, Sunol Regional Wilderness, and Morgan Territory Preserve.
6. Set up a Tent or RV Camping
Sunny, moderate weather in Tri-Valley is ideal for tent or RV camping. Whether you are looking to rough it in a tent, RV, trailer or cabin, or looking for a glamping experience in a decked-out yurt, there are plenty of places to choose from. Del Valle Regional Park is a great place for year-round camping, while Mount Diablo State Park is a popular spot for outdoor and adventure sports as well as camping. Offbeat camping experiences at Ohlone Wilderness Regional Preserve, winery camping at Minnie Winne on the Leisure Street Winery estate, or glamping at Whisky Ranch, as well as winery and RV camping options, makes the Tri-Valley the ideal destination for every explorer.
Image Credits: Visit Tri-Valley
By Radhika Agrawal
