Marta Yamamoto

In Livermore, wine barrels and cowboy boots live side-by-side with lab coats, wide-open spaces and hints from the past, all of which add up to an interesting getaway destination.

Among the town’s eclectic offerings are its rural heritage (evident in the historic downtown and annual rodeo), more than 40 wineries, and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which houses the world’s largest laser. Plus, there are acres of land for vineyards, golf courses and recreation.

It’s easy to pick just one area for an entire day’s exploration or sample them all. Wander the downtown searching out boutiques, cafes and the Bankhead Theatre, compare vintage cabernets, slip in a round of golf or simply wander the hills.

Downtown Livermore spreads along leafy First Street, decked out with benches, fountains and a historic mural. Revisit the old West at Baughman’s Western Outfitters, with its full-size fiberglass horse, two-story wall-of-denim and room-of-boots, where there’s something for every size and shape.

Riata’s Diner and Tavern also pays tribute to ranching traditions with animal hides blanketing both walls and ceiling, and hungry-man-size portions of steaks, ribs and burgers.

Bricks and wrought iron signal the entrance to Blacksmith Square, a pleasant enclave of shops built around a fountained courtyard. You can pick up tools and sauces at Greenleaf BBQ, sample oils at
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Victorene Olive Oil, or select from the local pours at Swirl Wine Bar and Tapas.

Local history and artists share the Carnegie Building, built in 1911 and home to the public library until 1966. Photographs chronicle Livermore’s history, and walking tour maps of the historic downtown are available. The park’s mature trees, plantings, tables and fountain are just the spot for a quiet respite or picnic.

At Firehouse No. 6, there’s the small, famous 4-watt light bulb that just won’t quit; it’s been burning since 1901 as a night light over the fire trucks. Visitors are welcome.

Livermore is home to more than 40 wineries and tasting rooms, all a legacy to veteran vintner Robert Livermore, who planted vines in 1840. Wente Vineyards has a long history in the valley. Its 3,000 acres are sustainably farmed and the Vintage Tasting site harks back to days of Spanish estancias, with white buildings topped with red tiles. The site offers tasting flights, cave tours, one of the areas’s best restaurants and a concert series at the outdoor amphitheater.

Concannon Vineyard, in production since 1883, is an elegant winery that combines recycled redwood and vintage brick with modern, chic furnishings, all set on pastoral grounds. The Underdog Wine Bar boasts more than 50 pours and its menu offers small plates and full meals that complement the wines.

A great way to experience Livermore’s wineries and meet the winemakers is the Barrel Tasting Weekend on March 19-20, when 31 wineries bring out young wines for tasting and purchase, right out of the barrel.

The Discovery Center at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is a great place to see the scope of the lab’s research, everything from seismology and energy to fusion, global warming and homeland security. The energy bikes are a popular exhibit, as is the glovebox, which gives the user a feel for what it’s like to manipulate objects, wearing thick gloves, in a sterile, isolated environment. Lab tours that include the giant laser also can be prearranged.

Public golf courses are popular Livermore destinations, from the city-owned Las Positas Golf Course, with its 18 holes and seven lakes, to privately owned Poppy Ridge, a 27-hole course designed to evoke a Scottish heath, and with three nine-hole courses named after valley vintages and a restaurant.

The Wente Golf Course, designed by Greg Norman, sits between rolling hills, woodlands and mature vineyards. The outdoor terrace at The Grill overlooks a small lake and the first fairway and offers panoramic vistas.

Del Valle Regional Park symbolizes the same combination of attractions that make Livermore a popular destination: a five-mile lake for fishing and boating, 5,000 acres of natural landscapes with raptor habitats and miles of trails for hiking and biking, 100-foot Murietta Falls, and campgrounds where you can spend the night under the stars.

Considering the grab bag of options, it’s no surprise that Livermore is attracting cowboys, science buffs, wine enthusiasts, golfers and lovers of the outdoors. It has a lot to offer.

from mercurynews.com

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