Ten Local Fitness Favorites

1.   The Valley/Bernal loop in Pleasanton

Depending on your fitness level and the time you have available, there’s a cool circular route you can walk/run or bike that circles through a good portion of town. It’s just under seven miles, winds through neighborhoods, under the train tracks and up a nice climb near the intersection of Bernal and East Angela. My favorite part is a small detour down a clay path that runs parallel to Laguna Creek Lane underneath 680 and passes a tiny bridge over a creek near the Castlewood Golf Course. I used to take my dog . 

2.  The pools at Cal High in San Ramon 

An all-ages water recreation destination, the kiddie pool is basically a small aquatic amusement park. There are pools for bigger kids as well, and the jewel in the crown may be the long, dark and fast twisty slide.

3. Bicycling in the Livermore wine country

Just a beautiful, expansive panorama of emerald hills in the spring that turns to golden brown in the summer, this route — South Livermore or Concannon to Tesla, Greenville and the surrounding areas – boasts some of the finest wineries around. A few even have live acoustic music and sometimes full bands on the weekends to treat wine-tasting wanderers.

4. Watching the sun rise on Inspiration Drive in Dublin

Get up when it’s still dark, head toward Castro Valley and drive up the short winding hill that puts you right in front of the parking lot for Valley Christian School. Take some coffee, tea or hot cocoa, a warm blanket, someone you want to share something special with and wait for the glorious day to begin while gazing toward the east. What makes this a fitness activity? Start the day like this and see what it does for your energy level. Check the weather the night before to make sure you're going to have a clear morning.

5. Playing racquetball at Club Sport Pleasanton

Since Schoebers went out of business several years ago, Club Sport is the only place in town for this fun, fast-paced sport. Members play free, but you can pay a day rate to use the club, so stick around after your game. It’s a good chance to check it out and see why it’s such a popular health club.

6. in Dublin

This place has a huge grassy area for all kinds of family fun, a skate park, water element and movies on the green in the summer (take extra blankets).

7. West Coast Olympic Gymnastics Academy 

Do you have kids who like to climb and tumble? Here’s where you want to go. Great classes for kids of all ages and a top-notch competitive program distinguish WCOGA among the after-school and weekend activities your kids could be doing. I secretly want to spend the afternoon playing in the green foam block pit and jumping on the trampolines. Oh, I guess it's not a secret anymore.

8. Valley Rock Climbing Gym in Livermore

This place dodged a bullet when it was saved by the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District. It’s a good thing because it’s a great place to indoor climb with a range of difficulty levels and a warm, helpful staff. My daughter likes to climb halfway up the wall in the cave and then fall backwards onto the soft, thick floor mat.

9. Bounce U in Pleasanton 

This is a crazy, loud, fun, sweaty, great place to have an elementary-school-age birthday party if you want your kids to sleep well afterward. It's expensive but Bounce U takes care of everything and no kid leaves disappointed.

10. Iron Horse Trail (Pleasanton through Walnut Creek)

One of the best ways to explore the communities that line the 680 corridor on foot, bike, roller blades or a scooter. Take water and stop by the Bishop Ranch in San Ramon for lunch.