T4

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

The toddler-and-preschool playground of Walnut Creek: small structures close together, shaded benches under three big oaks, and paved loops for trikes and scooters.

Walnut Creek hotel whose guests get access to the attached Bay Club's pools, tennis and kids' club programming, the closest thing the county has to a resort.

Brewery with lots of picnic tables in a big blocked-off lot, food trucks on weekends, and Calicraft Upstairs, a rooftop bar.