The Ultimate Summer Day in Walnut Creek with Kids
From impressive playgrounds to splash pads with water slides, Walnut Creek is teeming with fun activities for kids in the summer. When you want to head out of Sacramento in the summer months to escape the heat or experience new activities from other parts of the Bay Area, Walnut Creek makes the perfect summer day trip.
Reaching Walnut Creek in the East Bay is a straightforward drive from Sacramento. Depending on where you’re coming from, it will take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Check out this 1-day summer itinerary for kids in Walnut Creek in video form on my Instagram Reel.
Follow the below itinerary for the ultimate summer day in Walnut Creek with kids.
1-Day Summer Itinerary in Walnut Creek with Kids
1. Tellus Coffee
Fuel up for your summer day trip at Tellus Coffee in downtown Walnut Creek. This spacious coffee shop serves up delectable pastries amid an Instagram-worthy plant wall. Although it’s very stylish, it’s kid-friendly. Milk cartons and juice boxes are available in a cooler. The barista was so friendly toward my toddler. I’m also grateful that he recommended the Burnt Honey Cinnamon Latte, as it was one of the best iced lattes I’ve ever had.
Parking can be challenging in downtown Walnut Creek. The best options include street parking or one of the spots behind the coffee shop.
Grab some pastries to go from Tellus to enjoy at the next stop on this summer day itinerary, which is one of the best playgrounds in the East Bay.
2. Heather Farm Park
Heather Farm Park is one of the largest and most impressive playgrounds I’ve ever seen. You could spend the entire day just at this playground. Set aside plenty of time for kids to explore the many nooks, tunnel slides, various climbing structures, and pirate ship. There are so many things to see and do at this all-abilities playground.
A unique component of this playground is green turf hills that sit at the center of the park. Bring a piece of cardboard so kids can surf and sled down the hills. There is also a large sand area with a water feature.
Sit at one of the shaded benches or picnic tables along the perimeter of the park to enjoy those Tellus Coffee pastries.
3. Larkey Park Sprayground
The Larkey Park Sprayground is reason enough to take a summer day trip to Walnut Creek. Splash pads rarely have water slides. White Rock Splash Park in Rancho Cordova is a splash pad with water slides in the Sacramento area, but the slides have height restrictions.
One of the best things about Larkey Park is that there are no height restrictions on their water slides. This means that younger kids, like my 3-year-old, can test out water slides. Many water playgrounds at aquatic centers are also in the middle of wading pools, but this one is not.
This splash pad does cost money to use and has a capacity, but if you have younger kids wanting to do water slides, it’s worth every penny for what will be a spectacular summer afternoon of water play.
4. Lindsay Wildlife Center
You won’t even have to move your car when visiting the Lindsay Wildlife Experience before or after the Larkey Park Sprayground. You can walk from one to the other in two minutes, as they are both in Larkey Park.
The Lindsay Wildlife Center is on the smaller side and might be better suited for preschoolers to elementary-aged children. Expect animal encounters and educational exhibits about conservation efforts. Look out for their special events when they bring in unique animals like camels and reindeer.
5. Gott’s Roadside
Walnut Creek has the luxury of having a Gott’s Roadside in its city. This iconic eatery was first made famous as a roadside stop in Napa Valley and has won a James Beard award. The Gott’s in Napa Valley and the Gott’s in Walnut Creek are roughly equal distance to Sacramento.
Gott’s in Walnut Creek is enormous with spacious seating options. The casual vibe and quick service make it a fantastic choice for family-friendly dining. There is a kids’ menu and soft serve ice cream options. They serve American classics like burgers and fries, but they elevate these classics with creative spins.
6. Lottie’s Creamery
What’s a better way to finish a fun-filled summer day than with ice cream? Lottie’s is a micro-creamery that rotates flavors daily. This small-batch purveyor scoops small-batch ice cream and uses fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. Their toppings and sauces are also all made in Walnut Creek.
