Judy's Best of Walnut Creek

Where do I start with the Best of for Walnut Creek?
There is so much to talk about.
Here's some of my Walnut Creek favorites.

(1) Downtown shopping areas:

Walnut Creek has gone upscale in the past few years with lots of renovation and enlarging of the of the downtown shopping district. As a result, it is wonderful! My favorites: Nordstroms, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Sur-la-Tab, Macy's, Apple Computer, Barnes and Noble, Coldwater Creek, David Bryan, Viking Home Chef, and many smaller shops. It's a shoppers dream come true! Downside: parking can be challenging but the city father's are working improving parking and free bus access to downtown areas. A bicycle cab company has started working in the area recently and provides a fun way of getting around quickly.

Shopping Map of Main Street

(2) Walnut Creek restaurants:
New restaurants keep coming and giving diners more and more choices. Who needs to go to San Francisco for good restaurants? The best? Try Va de Vi, Prima Restaurante, and Bing Crosby's. They seem to consistently get the highest ratings. Ruth Chris Steak House and Vic Stewart's are also popular and have excellent steaks. A new steak restaurant is Flemings. The Lark Creek on Locust is another one of my favorites. They feature an American regional menu and their desserts are wonderful. The Walnut Creek Yacht Club and Scott's Seafood are always good for fish. Bing Crosby's is especially good for that special occasion. There's nightly live music and a piano bar. Baseball fans will enjoy the baseball atmosphere and good food too at Willie McCovey's. Tomatina's is a more casual atmosphere with good pizza, piadine, pasta, and salads.

LiINKS TO SOME POPULAR RESTAURANTS

Va de Vi
Prima Tratatoria
Lark Creek Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek Yacht Club
Il Fornaio
Scott's Seafood
Willie McCoveys
Bing Crosbys
PF Changs China Bistro

(3) Beautiful Mt. Diablo: the drive up to the top yields an incredible view of Contra Costa county and miles out in the distance. There are a number of look-out spots on the way and another at the top. Bring your camera. Mt. Diablo towers over the city and is a beautiful small mountain. Some times in the winter, snow tops the mountain-fortunately we don't see any lower than that! A Hike on Mt. Diablo: www.parks.ca.gov, 925-837-2525; Mt. Diablo State Park: enter at North Gate Road in Walnut Creek or Mount Diablo Scenic Boulevard in Danville.

(4) Heather Farms Park complex: swim/tennis complex, picnic grounds, rose garden, this ia a lovely park for Walnut Creek. It covers a number of acres. Walnut Creek has many parks.

(5) Boundary Oaks Country Club: swim, tennis, golf, restaurant. Nestled in the hills of Walnut Creek, this is a popular recreational spot.

(6) Open Space areas: (Shell Ridge, Lime Ridge, Sugar Loaf, etc.)
There are hundreds of acres of rolling hills that is designated open space, miles and miles of hiking trails for avid outdoor walkers and runners.

(7) Dean Lescher Theater/Auditorium: site of plays, musical and civic events, downstairs is the Bedford Gallery. Dean Lescher Regional Arts Center

(8) Best Bakery: Sweet Affair Bakery: Wonderful baked goods of every description. The German chocolate brownies are to die for. They also offer informal lunches made on their yummy breads, plus soup, salad, etc. 1815 Ygnacio Vly Rd. Also, Walnut Creek Baking Company, 1686 Locust has won popularity awards.

(9) BEST Grocery stores: Trader Joes and Whole Foods These two grocery stores feature wonderful produce, meats, fish, poultry and an incredible selection of other goods. Whole Foods features many dining options, take-out or eat there.

(10) Places to Visit: Lindsay Wildlife Museum, www.wildlife-museum.org; in winter: Walnut Creek on Ice in Civic Park, outdoor ice skating rink.