Even though Walnut Creek is located just 25 miles east of San Francisco, it feels like a different world from the busy city life. It’s where the high-end energy of the East Bay meets the charm of hometown California and rugged trails of Northern California. The city is defined by Mount Diablo due to its location at the western base of the 3,849-foot landmark. While downtown is famous for its luxury shopping and top-tier dining, the heart of the city remains connected to nature and open spaces. A mix of laid-back California lifestyle and metropolitan flair – “Calipolitan.” 

Mount Diablo is one of the Bay Area’s grandest landmarks, and its peak is visible from most spots around the Bay. On a clear day, the views from the top are stunning, from the Golden Gate Bridge all the way to the Sierra Nevadas. At 3,849 feet, Mount Diablo is the myth, the legend and the aspiration for cyclists.

Walnut Creek is the perfect base for a cyclist. You get the comfort of a walkable, refined city with immediate access to countless bike paths, and some of the most iconic cycling in North America. Families enjoy an eclectic collection of culture, outdoor activities, award-winning shopping, cuisine, and more. GFNY Walnut Creek delivers a serious challenge and fun in one of California's most beautiful locations.

A legendary destination for outdoor enthusiasts. You can drive, hike, or bike to the summit to experience the "Grand View." The park features miles of hiking trails through wildflower meadows and unique rock formations like Rock City. Don’t miss the Summit Visitor Center, built entirely of fossil-infused sandstone.

Arrive early to recon the Mount Diablo climb (from the South Gate entrance) before the race.

Known as the "Rodeo Drive of the East Bay," downtown is a walkable district featuring high-end shopping at Broadway Plaza and a thriving culinary scene. It’s the perfect place to enjoy an outdoor brunch or browse local art galleries and boutiques after the race. Downtown Walnut Creek is a shopping hub that draws crowds from all over the Bay Area.

Explore the Walnut Creek Farmers Market, open year round on every Sunday from 9am to 1pm on Locust Street. 

Civic Park is a 16.7-acre park in the middle of downtown and is open dawn to dusk and includes two playgrounds, a picnic area, a Community Center, and a library.

Walnut Creek Downtown is home to various art projects. Our mural collection creates positive, memorable images that enhance and define the city’s identity. Public art projects and activations boost civic pride and engages visitors from all over the Bay Area.

Located in Downtown Walnut Creek, Lesher Center for the Arts is a premier destination offering an exceptional arts and entertainment experience with three separate theatres for ballet, theatre, comedy and literary events. Check the Lesher Center schedule for live performances, or visit the Bedford Gallery inside the center to see contemporary art exhibitions from local and international artists.

Shell Ridge is located in the heart of Walnut Creek beginning just a short distance from downtown and continuing all the way to Mount Diablo. It’s the city’s largest open space area and is made up of a series of parallel ridges and valleys. Shell Ridge gets its name from the marine fossils left behind when the ocean waters that once covered it receded. There are plenty of hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities along ridge tops, creek ways, and hillsides.

Shell Ridge is also home to the Borges Ranch, a historic cattle ranch, and Howe Homestead Park, the former home and orchard of James P Howe of the Associated Press. 

The Ridge Top Trail is a delightful hike that offers shaded canyon single-track trail to ridgetop vistas and majestic flower displays to fossils. By far the two best seasons to enjoy this hike are winter and spring. This moderate hike offers excellent opportunities to take a closer look at the geologic and natural forces that shaped Mount Diablo.

The Gardens at Heather Farm is a beautiful 6-acre public garden that serves as a peaceful escape. With 20 different garden areas, including a stunning Rose Garden and a hillside Mediterranean garden, it is an ideal spot for a relaxing stroll with the family.

Discover Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery, a world-renowned 3.5-acre botanical garden specializing in succulents and drought-tolerant plants from around the globe. It is a masterpiece of garden design and a must-visit for nature lovers looking for unique desert landscapes in the heart of the Bay Area.

This multi-use trail runs right through the heart of Walnut Creek, following a historic railroad track. It is a flat, paved path that connects several cities in the East Bay, making it perfect for an easy pre-race or recovery ride or a family outing away from car traffic.