Renaissance Walnut Creek Hotel

All-suite layout (parents get a door between them and the kids), free cooked-to-order breakfast, an evening reception, and an indoor pool that works in any weather - the family-math champion of Walnut Creek.

The toddler-and-preschool playground of Walnut Creek: small, modest structures close together so one parent can see everything, shaded benches under three big oaks, and paved loops where little kids lap on trikes and scooters.

A big Walnut Creek park with two playgrounds, a duck pond, wide lawns and restrooms. Easy parking, and shade in the right spots.

A botanical garden with a kid-friendly scavenger hunt, koi pond, and plant nursery.

The huge model railroad has thousands of feet of track and an hourly night scene show. Go on a public open house weekend.

Two playgrounds (tot and big-kid) plus Walnut Creek's gated spray ground with a small water slide and lifeguard - wet and dry play in one stop. Lindsay Wildlife Experience and the model railroad are on the same grounds, so a playground morning easily becomes a full day.