36 minutes in Walnut Creek

 

Nestled to the east of San Francisco and Oakland, sits the suburban oasis of Walnut Creek. With a warm climate, beautiful surrounding hills and majestic views of Mt. Diablo, this city offers an active downtown with plenty of great shopping, restaurant options, and historical sites with open spaces to explore and fun things to do. For many it’s become a “destination location” with all it has to offer, just through the Berkeley Tunnel. What will you do with your “36 minutes” in Walnut Creek? We've got a few ideas for you.

 

 

If you’re visiting on a Sunday, nestled on Locust St. just a quick walk south from the station, you will find the Walnut Creek Farmers’ Market. With the market’s mission to support the development of local and sustainable farming, this is the place where the community goes to show their love to the farmers, family-owned food producers and artisans that live and work where we live and work. Open every Sunday from 9am-1pm year-round, you will find fresh flowers, local honey, farm fresh produce, coffee, baked goods, and more. Grab what you need for the week, snag a snack and a coffee, enjoy some local entertainment with just enough time to head back and catch the train to your next destination.

 

 

Walnut Creek is also home to a cool craft beer stop, ØL Beercafe & Bottleshop. Just steps from the farmer’s market location, you can find a great selection of craft beers on tap and in bottles from far away and local. With a seasonal rotating selection, pop by to pick up some faves or try something new, either on the premises or to take home. The staff is happy to make recommendations based on your likes and since it isn’t too big of a place, they can give you plenty of attention. Please note, if the kiddos are on your journey, you must be 21+ to visit.

 

 

If it’s a cultural experience you’re after, heading a little further south is the Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts. With 3,500 square feet of exhibition space, this is the largest community-based visual arts facility between the Bay Area and Sacramento. Beginning Jul. 1, the exhibition “Reclaimed: The Art of Recology” will open, showcasing work created from unwanted materials and shedding new light on our “trash” while encouraging reflection on our own consumption practices. The exhibition will run through Oct. 17 with the Gallery open Thursday-Sunday from 12-5pm. With your safe visit a priority, general admission tickets cost $5 (children 12 and under are free) and are available to purchase upon arrival at the Gallery with credit or debit card.

 

 

Should hunger be beckoning and you’re in the mood for flavors from south of the border, give Tacos Walnut Creek a try! A family-owned and father-taught operated restaurant, they offer authentic Mexican cuisine with love, dedication, and passion served up in every dish. Of course tacos are on the menu but a full lineup awaits that includes fajitas, burritos, tortas, nachos, a breakfast menu, and more. Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-9pm, this spot is also adjacent to the farmer’s market location - good things are happening here. Place an order online for a quick pick-up to take home before heading back to the station – you’ll be happy you did and your tummy will be too!

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What's your favorite spot in Walnut Creek? Have a suggestion for our next 36 minutes feature? Let us know via social media, @SFBARTable #SFBARTable! Keep up with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see all of the best BARTable (virtual) events, places to eat (grab take out from) and have fun (outside) around the Bay.