Livermore Wineries
We are getting married in an area right near a hidden gem – the Livermore Valley Wine Country! We recommend that you try some of their wineries and go wine tasting in this area! Alternatively, if you choose to venture out a little further, you can drive up to Napa or Sonoma, where there are excellent wineries as well! We have listed a few of our favorites of the Livermore Valley here. Click here for a map.
Concannon
4590 Tesla Road
Livermore CA
(925) 456-2505
The folks at Concannon were very nice to us when we went there for some wine tasting!
Garre
7986 Tesla Road
Livermore CA
(925) 371-8200
We loved this winery and its beautiful Martinelli Event Center
overlooking the vineyards so much that it was our second choice for a
wedding spot.
Rios-Lovell
6500 Tesla Road
Livermore CA
(925) 443-0434
This winery also has absolutely gorgeous grounds overlooking
vineyards as well. We had also considered this a wedding spot.
Wente
5565 Tesla Road
Livermore CA
(925) 456-2305
Wente owns a Visitors Center on Arroyo Road. It is open daily from
11am to 4:30pm is absolutely gorgeous. It was our third choice
for a wedding venue, but alas could not fit everyone inside.
Other activities
San Francisco
Exploratorium – Housed within the walls of San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium is a collage of over 650 science, art, and human perception exhibits.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art – The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is considered one of the world’s most innovative museums of modern and contemporary art.
San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf – Pier 39 Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco’s most popular destination is known for its historic waterfront, delicious seafood, spectacular sights and unique shopping, Fisherman’s Wharf offers a wide array of things to do for everyone. Eat the clam chowder (in a breadbowl) or the cocktail shrimp here sold at various locations here….it’s delicious! We recommend the seafood restaurant Crab House. It looks very touristy but it has the BEST crab ever!!! This is also near where you can take ferries to Alcatraz or Angel Island.
San Francisco Zoo – The largest zoological park in Northern California and one of the Bay Area’s most popular cultural and recreational attractions, the San Francisco Zoo is home to over 250 species of exotic and domestic mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.
Legion of Honor - The Legion of Honor, San Francisco’s most beautiful museum, displays an impressive collection of 4,000 years of ancient and European art in an unforgettable setting overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.
East Bay (Berkeley and Oakland)
University of California Botanical Garden – The University of California Botanical Garden is located in Strawberry Canyon above the Berkley campus (where we both attended as undergrads) overlooking the San Francisco Bay. The Garden features one of the most diverse plant collections in the United States. The Garden’s 34 acres contain over 13,000 species and more than 21,000 plants from all over the world arranged by region.
Jack London Square – Jack London Square is a special spot at the water’s edge where places for shopping, dining, and daydreaming are all waiting for you. Jack London Square features 15 varied restaurants, specialty shops, USS Potomac, Yoshi’s Jazz Club.
Oakland Zoo – The Oakland Zoo is nestled in the rolling hills of 525-acre Knowland Park. Each year thousands of families and school groups from around the Bay Area come to visit over 300 native and exotic animals that live in naturalistic habitats at the Zoo.
South Bay (San Jose area and south)
Hakone Japanese Gardens – Saratoga’s beautiful Japanese gardens are located just 1/10th of a mile above the Village of Saratoga. In this city park you will find one of the most beautiful and authentic Japanese gardens in the United States.
Paramount’s Great America – Paramount’s Great America is considered Northern California’s most thrilling park. The park offers shows, thrill rides and entertainment for the entire family.
Winchester Mystery House - Historic 160-room Victorian mansion built by rifle heiress Sarah Winchester. Beautiful details mixed in with bizarre oddities, such as doors opening onto walls and stairs going nowhere. Guided tours offered daily.
Raging Waters – Raging Waters, the Bay Area’s largest water theme park, offers family recreation on the grounds of Lake Cunningham Regional Park in San Jose. There are water slides, thrill rides and attractions designed for every member of the family including an interactive family play structure and pint-sized attractions for the little ones.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - Located on a mile-long beach between Monterey and San Francisco, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is your admission-free hot spot for beach vibes and classic rides!
Shopping
Stoneridge Mall
1 Stoneridge Mall Rd
Pleasanton, CA 94588
This was the mall that Charlotte and Mark both grew up near. Sort of
your run-of-the-mill mall with the regular retailers.
Broadway Plaza
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(925) 933-6589
An outdoor mall with not as many stores as Stoneridge.
The Great Mall
447 Great Mall Dr
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 956-2033
A great mall in the south bay if you’re looking for outlet stores.
More like discount stuff.
Westfield Mall – Valley Fair
2855 Stevens Creek Blvd
Santa Clara, CA 95050-6718
(408) 248-4451
Has a good mix of regular retailers like Gap and Pottery Barn, but
also the classier stores like Tiffanys, Prada and Armani. Right
across the street from Santana Row.
Santana Row
68 Santana Row, Suite 1020
San Jose, California 95128
(408) 551-4611
Has expensive designer stores like Burberry and Gucci, so we usually
just window-shop here. Also has some restaurants and bars. Ok
excitement-wise. Right across the street from Valley Fair.
Westfield San Francisco
865 Market St
San Francisco CA 94103
(415) 512 6776
Lots of department stores! This mall was expanded in 2006 to include
our favorites like Mango and Zara.