SUNSET CRUISE: Angel Island Ferry

Karen and Mark want to treat our out-of-town family and friends to a really fun boat ride on the Angel Island Ferry. It runs daily to and from Tiburon, CA to Angel Island, then in the summer, on weekend evenings only, you will be awed with unique views from the water, including the breathtaking sights of Tiburon, Belvedere, Sausalito, San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, and the surrounding areas. We will go Saturday night! The boat leaves at 6:30 pm, so we’ll all plan to arrive in Tiburon around 5:30 – 5:45 or earlier. Details will come later. The main thing to remember, if you want to do this: bring some cold weather clothes! It’s cold on the water! They advertise: Don’t forget your picnic (any food and drinks can be brought on board), Dress in layers, arrive early to find parking, and don’t forget a bottle opener! We are really looking forward to taking you on this the day after the wedding, Saturday July 20th. We invite all of our friends from the area to go on the Sunset Cruise with us. If you would like to purchase this event at the group pricing of $22, text Mike Mewes at 925-207-5534 (texting is preferred). $30 on the evening, barring a sellout. Deadline to contact Mike is Friday June 21st!

https://angelislandferry.com/Fourthportfolio/sunset-cruises

July 18th Summer Concert in front of Jack’s Restaurant & Bar 7PM – 9PM

If you're a hotel guest acclimating to Pacific Daylight Time, you can stroll to this restaurant and enjoy Pleasant Hill's free monthly performance from outside (there are plenty of chairs available). "The Cheeseballs" are the band for Thursday, July 18th. This band is one of the best San Francisco based high energy dance bands. They play hits from 60’s Motown classics to 80’s new wave, and all the rock n’ roll favorites. From ABBA “Dancing Queen” to Bruno Mars “24K”. The band is considered legendary for their high-energy shows packed with funk, soul, R&B and pop hits. Jack’s Restaurant & Bar is located at: 60 Crescent Dr Suite A, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

HUCKLEBERRY BOTANIC REGIONAL PRESERVE HIKE

If the weather is hot, this is a perfect place to go for a hike. Lots of shade and amazing plants and wildflowers. Huckleberry self-guided nature path, a 1.7-mile loop, traverses a wide variety of terrain. The path descends into a mature bay forest, follows the contour for about half a mile, and then ascends to the botanically rich upper trail. For a less strenuous walk, stay on the upper trail. You will still encounter most of the stops on the self-guided tour.

https://www.ebparks.org/parks/huckleberry

Other hikes we like if the temperatures are only in 70’s or 80’s:

Orchard Trail, Briones Road, and Alhambra Creek Loop Hike at Briones Regional Park

This is a trail Karen has done for many New Years Day Hikes. It is a 4.4-mile loop trail near Martinez, California. It’s considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 8 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, mountain biking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. There is a $3 fee for each vehicle parked (when kiosk is attended). Start from the Alhambra Staging Area: 273-181 Brookwood Dr. Martinez, CA

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/orchard-trail-briones-road-and-alhambra-creek-loop

If it is hot and you want to experience some big Redwood trees, try hikes at Reinhardt-Redwood-Regional park.

https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/reinhardt-redwood-regional-park

THE RUTH BANCROFT GARDEN & NURSERY

This is a 3.5 acre botanical garden and retail Nursery housing a collection of unique and diverse cacti, succulents and drought-tolerant plants from around the world. Karen and Mark are annual members and enjoy the events offered, and taking company around to enjoy these rare plants. There is always something in bloom. Just being a member gets you reciprocal admission to other gardens in the US, the Dallas Botanical Garden being one of them. This garden is located in Walnut Creek, so no bridge tolls, or fees. Check out the website.

https://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/

WOODMINSTER AMPITHEATER – “Jersey Boys”

This is one of our favorite venues to see a play, so I had to let you know that “Jersey Boys” will be playing the weekend of the wedding. You could catch it on Thursday night or if you stick around on Sunday, it’s playing then. It’s a delightful place to be when it’s hot in the East Bay. It’s always cool in Oakland. All seats are good seats and you can bring in your own beverages and food! Check out the photos & get more details:

https://www.woodminster.com/

LINDSEY WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE MUSEUM

This is fun if you’ve brought children and want to go somewhere close by, as it is in Walnut Creek and only open Wednesdays through Sundays 10-5.

https://lindsaywildlife.org/

HEATHER FARM PARK

This park is a 102-acre community park in Walnut Creek, CA. It has a fantastic Rose Garden, playground, fishing pond, nature area, lake, ducks, etc. Many of the Contra Costa County bike & walking paths wind through here. No charge for admission. 301 N. San Carlos Dr. Walnut Creek, CA 94598

https://www.walnutcreekartsrec.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/51/1920

CALICRAFT BREWING COMPANY

This is a nice little taproom that is pretty close to Mark’s house in Walnut Creek. It’s almost entirely all outside seating, but lots of shade, often live music and really good beer. Food trucks are usually there for your dining pleasure. 2700 Mitchell Dr. Walnut Creek, CA 94598

https://www.calicraft.com/pages/taproom

MIKE HESS BREWING - WALNUT CREEK

This little brewpub is just a few blocks from Mark’s home. You can hang out under their 70-year old Valley Oak on the deck, grab a couch on the patio, or hang out inside. They’ve got cornhole and board games, flat screen TV’s, and often live music. It’s at 2313 Oak Grove Rd. Walnut Creek, CA 94598

https://www.mikehessbrewing.com/walnut-creek

FIVE SUNS BREWING

This is one of the best local brewpubs in Martinez. It is located at 626 Main Street. Karen and Mark frequent it occasionally. It is especially fun when they have live music. Check out the calendar. There are always food trucks, and it is right next door to Main Street Market in Martinez. (small shops, bakery, oysters, wine, etc.)

https://www.fivesunsbrewing.com/

DEL CIELO BREWING CO

This is the other Martinez brewpub. It does have a restaurant, but is only open for lunch Friday thru Sunday. If you go there to eat, Karen recommends the Salmon Sandwich! It is really good!

https://delcielobrewing.com/menus/

PICKLEBALL

Karen and Mark love playing Pickleball, and would love to play with you if we have time! Karen has extra paddles and balls and a mostly private court at her townhouse complex. Not far from Mark & Karen’s homes are14 free Pickleball courts at Willow Pass Community Park. The address is: 2748 E Olivera Rd. Concord, CA 94519.

WINERIES

Here are some wineries located in Livermore. Livermore is south of Walnut Creek, and less crowded, less expensive and has just as good of quality of wines as Napa & Sonoma.

Marietta’s Well: Very nice tasting setup, pretty location – A Favorite!

Bent Creek Winery: Great location, award winning wines

Three Steves: Nice location, great views, small boutique winery

Rodrigue Molyneaux: Nice location, intimate, many Italian & French varietals

Darcie Kent: Probably has the most whites of these listed. (Livermore emphasizes Reds)

K&M

Wedding Ceremony

Reception