Weekend Guide · October 20–26

Wine country sunsets, harvest festivals, and a little Halloween spirit — the valley is glowing this week.

Author

Tri-Valley Insider
October 21, 2025

Events & Festivals

Harvest Festival · Pleasanton · Oct 24–26

The Alameda County Fairgrounds turn into a harvest wonderland this weekend — buzzing with color, crafts, and fall energy. Over 200 artisans showcase hand-made jewelry, ceramics, toys, wood art, candles, and home décor. Grab pumpkin-spiced treats, join a DIY craft booth, or catch the lumberjack show while live folk music sets the mood. It’s the perfect way to kick off a cozy fall weekend.

Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park · Sept 26 – Nov 2

California’s most famous haunted park celebrates 35 years of fright. Fog, fire dancers, and four elaborate haunted houses fill the Alameda County Fairgrounds every night with eerie fun. Expect jump scares, twisted sets, a VR haunted maze, and late-night energy that’s both spooky and spectacular.

Halloween Brew Crawl · Downtown Pleasanton · Oct 25

Downtown Pleasanton transforms into a Halloween street party where local bars pour craft brews and patios glow under orange lights. With 20+ tasting stops, live bands, and hundreds in creative costumes, it’s equal parts festival and block party. Grab your souvenir glass, sip limited-edition brews, and stroll through the downtown buzz — this is the night everyone talks about.

Hallo-Wine Party · Livermore Wine Trolley · Oct 25

For wine lovers who like a little mischief. Step aboard the Livermore Wine Trolley for a rolling Halloween soirée through three award-winning wineries — 3 Steves, Murrieta’s Well & Wood Family. Between tastings, enjoy desserts, music, and the glow of vineyard sunsets. Costumes, laughter, and wine — the Livermore Valley at its most magical.

Floating Pumpkin Patch · Dublin · Oct 25

Only in Tri-Valley can you pick your pumpkin from a swimming pool! The Wave Aquatic Center fills its pool with floating pumpkins for kids to “swim & select,” then decorate them poolside. Add games, prizes, and crisp fall sunshine — it’s one of the most creative family traditions around.

Family & Lifestyle

Pleasanton Halloween Spirit Run · Oct 26

Start your Sunday with energy — and purpose. This family-friendly 5 k & 10 k winds through Downtown Pleasanton, where runners, parents with strollers, and even costumed pups fill the streets with laughter. Whether you’re racing for fun or cheering from the sidelines, it’s a community favorite that blends Halloween joy with giving back — all proceeds support local nonprofits.

Trunk or Treat · Walnut Creek · Oct 24

Civic Park transforms into a glowing parade of car trunks decked out in Halloween lights, pumpkins, and candy displays. Kids stroll from car to car collecting treats while parents enjoy live music, Día de los Muertos crafts, and a friendly costume contest. It’s a safe, lively evening that brings the whole community together under autumn lights.

Kidz Town Halloween Hay Day · Livermore · Oct 25

Downtown Livermore turns into a cheerful Halloween carnival made just for kids. Expect a lively costume parade, pumpkin-decorating stations, face painting, games, and music that keeps the whole family dancing. Streets fill with little ghosts and superheroes, shops hand out treats, and the whole morning feels like a warm snapshot of small-town California in the fall.

Date Night Picks · Best Bars for a First Date

Middle 8 · Pleasanton

A first date favorite for those who love a little retro romance. Middle 8 glows in soft amber light — cozy booths, vinyl records spinning, and bartenders who mix cocktails as smooth as the jazz playing in the background. It’s intimate but not intimidating, stylish but still relaxed — perfect for getting to know someone without the pressure. Order a signature cocktail (the “Lady Bird” is a local favorite) and let the night unfold slowly.

Auburn Lounge · Danville

For those who like their first date with a touch of mystery. Hidden behind an unmarked door on Hartz Avenue, Auburn Lounge feels like a secret you only share with someone special. Inside, it’s candlelit, quiet, and endlessly charming — the kind of place where you can actually talk. Their cocktails are beautifully crafted, the music low and sultry, and the whole setting says: this could be something real.

The Fat Pigeon · Livermore

Fun, unpretentious, and full of personality — The Fat Pigeon is for couples who don’t take first dates too seriously. Every few months the bar transforms completely: new décor, new drinks, new vibe. This fall it’s all haunted-chic glamour — dim lights, creative cocktails, and a friendly crowd that makes you feel instantly at ease. Come for the themed drinks, stay for the laughter (and maybe a second round).

Range Life · Livermore

If your ideal first date mixes great conversation with even better food, Range Life is your spot. The space is warm and rustic-modern, with glowing string lights and soft music. Start at the bar for a glass of local wine or a seasonal cocktail, then share a few small plates made from nearby farms. It’s refined but never pretentious — just the right blend of style and comfort to turn a first date into something memorable.

Hidden Gems · Secret Spots Worth Finding

SideTrack Bar + Grill · Pleasanton

Part neighborhood hangout, part modern bistro, SideTrack blends easygoing California energy with a hint of downtown cool. Just off the train tracks, the bar hums with conversation and the scent of wood-grilled burgers. Inside, it’s warm brick, cozy lighting, and a lively crowd that always seems to be in a good mood. Outside, the patio is the perfect sunset spot — cocktail in hand, friends laughing, the valley slowing down for the night. It’s casual, confident, and exactly where you’d want to end a long week.

Emerald Glen Park Splash Pad · Dublin

Dublin’s largest park is pure weekend perfection — wide green lawns, fountains that sparkle in the sun, and playgrounds that make kids’ faces light up. Families spread picnic blankets, joggers loop the trails, and the scent of nearby food trucks drifts through the air. Even in fall, when the splash pad quiets down, the park glows with that easy California calm: golden grass, crisp air, and parents sipping coffee while kids chase bubbles and laughter fills the space. Whether you’re walking the dog, taking photos, or planning a lazy Sunday, Emerald Glen Park feels like the heart of the community.

Kottinger Creek Nature Trail · Pleasanton

Tucked quietly between Pleasanton neighborhoods, Kottinger Creek Trail feels miles away from city life. Wooden bridges cross a whispering creek, oaks throw cool shade, and the sound of birds replaces traffic noise. It’s short enough for a morning stroll, yet full of little moments that feel cinematic — sunlight glinting through branches, wildflowers brushing against your legs, and the kind of calm that makes you breathe a little slower. Come early with a coffee or at golden hour when the light turns everything gold — it’s one of those places that remind you how peaceful the valley can be.

Where Lifestyle Meets Location

In the heart of the East Bay, the Tri-Valley continues to shine as one of Northern California’s most desirable places to call home — where suburban peace meets a vibrant, connected lifestyle. Rolling hills, award-winning schools, walkable downtowns, and a sense of safety you can actually feel — that’s the magic mix families fall in love with here.

Top Schools

Education is the backbone of the valley’s charm. Pleasanton Unified ranks among the top 20 school districts in California, known for its strong academic culture and community support. San Ramon Valley USD and Dublin USD follow close behind — where robotics labs, theater programs, and championship sports teams make excellence look effortless. Foothill and Amador Valley High both land in California’s Top 60, sending students to the best universities nationwide.

Safest Cities

Peace of mind isn’t just a phrase here — it’s a reality. Danville is ranked the #2 safest city in California, with tree-lined streets and family festivals that last generations. San Ramon comes in #9, blending modern parks, smart-city design, and a strong sense of community. These are neighborhoods where kids still ride bikes to school and neighbors actually know your name.

Best Neighborhoods

From the vineyard views of Ruby Hill to the charming craftsman homes of Downtown Pleasanton, Tri-Valley living offers options for every lifestyle. Castlewood and Foothill Knolls mix luxury and privacy with golf-course greens and sunset views, while Golden Eagle Farms feels like an everyday retreat — quiet, safe, and bathed in golden California light. Whether you’re raising a family, starting fresh, or simply chasing a slower pace, this region captures that perfect balance: where lifestyle truly meets location.

San Francisco Highlights · City Vibes & Fall Adventures

Bay Area Science Festival · Oct 25 · UCSF Mission Bay

Curiosity takes over the city! Discovery Day turns the UCSF Mission Bay campus into one of California’s most exciting outdoor science fairs. Kids and adults alike launch mini-rockets, step inside chemistry labs, meet real-life marine biologists, and play with robots under the autumn sky. It’s hands-on, high-energy, and completely free — one of those rare events that make you feel smarter and happier by the end of the day.

Leap Sandcastle Classic · Oct 25 · Ocean Beach

An only-in-San-Francisco tradition where art, architecture, and ocean air collide. Every October, teams of architects and local students join forces to sculpt enormous themed sandcastles — some ten feet tall — to raise funds for arts education. Families picnic on the dunes, musicians play by the shore, and the Pacific glitters behind these fleeting masterpieces. It’s creative, community-driven, and pure California magic.

Crawloween Pub Crawl · Oct 24–25 · Polk Street, SF

When night falls, Polk Street becomes a living Halloween carnival. Thousands in costumes fill the bars, DJs spill into the streets, and every doorway glows neon orange. With a single wristband you can wander between more than twenty venues — from laid-back pubs to dance floors packed with pirates and superheroes. It’s chaotic, joyful, and the city at its most alive — the kind of night you’ll still be talking about in November.

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