I guess it’s normal to automatically think about San Francisco when talking about the Bay Area. I’m not innocent of this charge. After all, good old San Fran is one of my favourite cities in the world. However, the truth is that the Bay Area, being the cool place that it is, has so much more to offer!
Walnut Creek is one of those overlooked spots for the wandering tourists of the Bay. Sure, it is not exactly a big city like SF or Sacramento, but it does have its perks! There are plenty of places to visit, without the crowds of a capital and the charm of a small town. I made a list with all my favourite spots to eat, drink and wander in this lovely Contra Costa County city.
The Farmer’s Market
I won’t get tired of writing about how much I love farmer’s markets! No matter where in the world I am, I always find myself drawn towards them.
Walnut Creek’s market is open every Sunday morning in the middle of Locus Street. And, like any good farmer’s market, it offers a selection of amazing local and handmade products to its visitors. You can find from organic fruits and vegetables to artisanal pasta and the ambiance is just the greatest.
I can never leave the place without an artichoke houmous and a cup of organic coffee. But my latest finding was Body by Bees. This is and amazing natural bath shop full of toiletries and skincare products! The owner, Billie, was a sweetheart, and she recommended me a lavender soap, which was an absolute delight during bathtime! I still want to go back and fill my bathroom cabinet, so next time I’m in California, her stand will be a must.
If you go to Walnut during the weekend, you simply cannot miss this place!
Crêpes Oh La La
We found Crêpes Oh La La by accident five years ago. One morning my dad was craving something and he couldn’t tell what. We were wondering around Walnut trying to decode de craving when we spotted the place. We’ve been loyal customers ever since.
Oh La La has the most amazing flavour combinations to fill its crêpes. Of course they have very typical options like sugar with lemon and ham and cheese, but they also have special ones with mixtures of spinach, feta, sun-dried tomatoes and smoked turkey. You can even personalize your own crêpe and choose your favourite ingredients!
I’d recommend to arrive early since they are usually quite busy (everything it’s delicious after all). And the crêpes are so big that one is more than enough!
The Theatre
It may not seem like it, but Walnut Creek has a very fair offer of theatrical shows for the spectator. From Sherlock Holmes inspired plays to Russian Ballets; the cultural offer of this city is just endless.
They also host several festivals and fairs. Just after I left they hosted this gastronomic event full of food and music, which are some of my favourite things in the world. So, just check at the posters around the city and inside the local shops and you’ll get an idea of their latest shows.
Shopping
I guess it’s better if I admit it right now: I’m a huge fan of shopping! And I can’t even conceive the idea of visiting the Bay Area without hitting the stores! Although San Francisco is a must if you want to go big, Walnut Creek has amazing spots for every fashion lover.
One of the things I love the most about shopping in this town (besides the fact that is not so crowded as in larger cities) is that while you can still find your standard commercial stores like Forever 21 and H&M, you also have luxury brands like Tiffany’s or, my personal favourite, lots of independent and vintage shops full of one-of-a-kind pieces!
Most of the sops are ideally located in the town centre and you can easily walk around from one to another while you enjoy the charming views that the city has to offer.
The Coffee Shop
I know the name is not that creative, but believe me, the inside of the place is. With the irresistible hipster aesthetic, The Coffee Shop offers its customers an avant-garde space decorated with polished wooden tables and industrial infrastructure.
They are well equipped with a menu that features traditional and original drinks. My mom ordered this coconut latte and it was superb! There are some pastries and snacks to accompany your drink and the baristas are incredibly nice. It is definitely a lovely spot to regain strength before resuming your shopping day.
Kaiwa Sushi
I’m not partial towards Asian food, I usually love all of it, but this place was particularly delicious! Like in most places in California, Kaiwa Sushi offers amazing deals in lunch menus. You can choose from a selection of main dishes with different proteins and vegetables and you also get a bowl of rice and a miso soup. And the prices are amazing too!
My mom ordered some tempura shrimp and veggies with teriyaki chicken, while I went for a California roll with salad. I really wanted to go back to try some more items, but I couldn’t find the time. If you are ever in the area and decide to listen to my advice, let me know what you ordered!
Vanessa’s Bistro
I visited this place on my last day in the Bay Area. My parents were taking me to the airport and I wanted to stop and eat in San Francisco, but my dad insisted on going to Walnut Creek. I wasn’t so pleased about it first (I really thought the Ferry Building deserved another go), so I reluctantly agreed to have lunch somewhere in the smaller town. I didn’t regret it for a moment.
Vanessa’s Bistro might has seemed like a standard Vietnamese restaurant at the beginning, but it was quite a surprise. It does have the always-loved noodles, but the amazing part is that they also have a French/Californian inspiration in their dishes. You may not think it’s true, but the result is unbelievably yummy!
They had this awesome lunch deal where you could order among a selection of “tapas”, or “appetizers”. Each one of them costs around $7.00 USD and you have plenty options to choose from. We decided to order several dishes and share, and I really think it was the best option, because everything was delicious! We had a papaya salad to start, some onion soup (told you, French), the most amazing fish tacos I ever had, shrimp rolls and a vegetable pad Thai. Mom also ordered a Bloody Mary (since they were also on promotion) and I had an iced tea.
We wished we had more room to keep trying other dishes, but we were incredibly full. I can honestly say there wasn’t a single dish that I did not think it was superb. It’ll definitely be on my list when I return to California.
Century Theatres
I grant it sounds quite basic, but I really enjoyed the movie theatre in this place. I haven’t been to many cinemas outside of Mexico, so I couldn’t compare that much. But I thought the inside of this theatre kept a sort of vintage charm that I found irresistible.
I mean, the technical facilities were top notch, but the carpeted floors and the tingly lights in the hallway made me remember the old-fashioned movie theatres. Besides, since I saw the new Florence Foster Jenkins motion pictures it kind of enhanced the old world effect. (Also, I really just wanted an excuse to post this Meryl Streep gif).
Century 14 Walnut Creek has an amazing location, since it’s very near the shops and restaurants in the centre of town. So, if someday you just want to relax and watch a movie in other place than Netflix, this is definitely a nice choice.