The slow decline of the independent bookstore is one of the saddest stories in the new American economy – as big retailers like Barnes & Noble and Amazon take larger and larger pieces of the market, they can offer larger discounts. That’s why a place like Friends Corner is so inspiring. The entire inventory is […]

Do-it-yourself pottery shops have become a popular destination for budding artists. The equipment necessary to fire ceramic and clay at home is way too expensive, so places like All in the Kiln are great options. This family-owned business is dedicated to giving artists of all ages an opportunity to explore ceramic painting on a wide […]

You can always tell when restaurateurs are in it for the money or in it for the love of the food. Walnut Creek’s Chicks and Love are obviously the latter. The two founders saw a niche to be filled in the Bay Area and have ably done so, baking amazingly fresh flatbreads and pizzas with […]

Locals have been flocking to the Lesher Center for the Arts since its opening in 1990, and for good reason. First established in 1967 as the Nuthouse, a performance space in the old Walnut Growers Warehouse, it drew significant support from the community and outgrew the space rapidly. This is a top-flight arts center that […]

One of the oldest wildlife rehabilitation centers in the United States, the Lindsay Wildlife Museum has been restoring injured animals to health since 1955. Treating nearly six thousand injured or orphaned wild animals each year, the vast majority of the Museum’s patients are able to be released back into their native habitats. Some, however, need […]

The Library in Walnut Creek is hosting “Favorite Places” photo exhibit featuring a series of photo essays by four local artists who celebrate their favorite places located in Contra Costs County. The exhibit includes four different types of environments, with amazing observations that range from watching horses, sprawling vineyards, private spaces of homes and yards, […]

The Bay Area has such a variety of urban environments to explore that you might forget to spend a little time away from the city. Taking a few hours to walk along the winding banks of some of Walnut Creek’s signature waterways can be a great way to unwind. The most notable stroll is the […]

California, obviously, is the state most associated with wine production, but many people seem to think that it stops outside the Napa Valley. There are great places to sample wine all over the state, and Walnut Creek’s Residual Sugar is one of them. They take an interesting and environmentally conscious approach to serving wine, using […]

When locals are bragging that your restaurant has the best falafel in the Bay Area, you know you’re doing something right. Bablou’s has been serving up incredible Mediterranean food for years now, and regulars rave about just about every dish on the impressive menu. The falafel is perfectly cooked, fresh and crispy on the outside […]

If you have a hankering for good old-fashioned American food, Walnut Creek’s Hubcaps Diner is the place to go. This beloved diner has been a neighborhood institution for years, and whether you stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner you’ll go home full and happy. Let’s start at the beginning, with the massive breakfast menu. […]