Family Fun & Adventure
With so much to see and do - and so many kid-friendly places to eat and play - Concord is the perfect getaway for a few days of family fun.
Day One
Morning
Grab breakfast at Sugar Plum Coffee Shop and Diner in Concord. Located just 10 minutes away from both the Hilton Concord and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, the diner is a convenient, family-friendly spot to enjoy a hot breakfast before you embark on your Concord adventure.
Visitors from all over the Bay Area head to Concord during the summer months to soak up some sun and fun at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. This expansive water park has something for everyone whether you’re looking to relax and chill or go for the big thrills. Older kids craving high-flying adventure, will love thrill slides like the Honolulu Halfpipe. Splashwater Island, a colossal, multi-level play area is a great spot for kids of all ages, and everyone in the family can get on board with the Kaanapali Kooler, Breaker Beach and The Big Kahuna attractions.
Pixieland Amusement Park is ideal for an afternoon of recreational fun for families with small children. A Concord institution since 1955, Pixieland will delight the younger crowd with favorite rides like the Antique Carousel, Red Baron Airplanes, Dragon Roller Coaster, and the famous Pixieland Express Train.
Any day you feel like bouncing, Check out Pump it Up, a warehouse full of inflatable bouncy houses where kids can jump and play to their heart’s content. Families with older kids looking for a fun fitness challenge might want to check out Diablo Rock Gym, offering an impressive variety of indoor rock-climbing terrain for all levels.
Mid-Day
Grab lunch or snack on site at the venue, or head over to Fuddruckers in the Willows Shopping Center for the world’s greatest burgers and chicken sandwiches and milkshakes.
Evening
After a busy day, go old school and make your way to West Wind Drive-In movie theater for the Friday Night Double Feature. Complete with a playground and arcade, the venue is one of the few drive-ins remaining in Northern California. Open year-round, it combines a nostalgic movie-going experience with the latest digital technology for crystal clear picture and sound. Grab a bite from the concession stand, or take along some grab-n-go from Patty's Cheese Zombies on your way there.
Day Two
Morning
Enjoy breakfast at Buttercup Diner, a Concord classic. Customers return time and time again for delicious, homemade menu items like their signature Eggs Benedict and create-your-own Omelets, Buttermilk Streusel Coffee Cake and Biscuits and Gravy.
From there, head over to Mount Diablo State Park where kids can discover Rock City, a fascinating geological spot where nature trails, sandstone caves, and boulders provide the perfect stage for playing and exploring. While the mountaintop attracts expert hikers and bicyclists, families will also enjoy driving to the summit for breathtaking views and the engaging visitor center (which houses the mountain’s actual summit!).
If you’d rather take a leisurely bike ride around the area, try the Contra Costa Canal Trail. This paved, mostly flat, multi-use trail winds along the canal’s edge through Concord, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, and Martinez (14 miles total).
Concord is also home to a bounty of great, local parks. Check out Hillcrest Community Park’s 26 acres, including athletic fields, a model airplane flying area, and picnic spots. This park is also home to Matteo's Dream where children of all abilities can play and enjoy in one of the few playgrounds in the nation that fully embraces children with sensory and other disabilities.
Mid-Day
After your outdoor adventures, enjoy some leisurely afternoon shopping and stroll at the Sunvalley Shopping Center. The indoor mall is a family-oriented shopping, dining, and entertainment destination with more than 160 stores including H&M, Slime Worlds, RC Toy Worlds, Round 1 Bowling & Amusement, and many more.
Before you head out for the evening, head back to the hotel for a refreshing dip in the pool and a relaxing soak in the spa. For a full list of Concord hotels and their amenities click here.
Evening
If the kids have worked up an appetite, enjoy a nice dinner out on the town. The Old Spaghetti Factory in historic Todos Santos Plaza has been a family favorite for as long as its doors have been open. If pizza is more their speed, head over to Skipolini's, a Concord favorite, located just around the corner. After dinner, stroll the plaza with ice cream from Cream or Milano Gelato.
For more family friendly ideas and kid approved fun, check out the Family Friendly page here.