70 Days Across America
Blackhawk Museum Classic Car Collection is one of five collections at one of the most eclectic and interesting museums in the San Francisco Bay Area. Others include the Old West., ancient China, out of Africa, and the natural world.
In This Post
Why I’m Here …
So what am I doing in Danville?
Danville is a city in Southern Alameda, California. It is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Oakland.
Not only that, it is ranked as the wealthiest middle sized city in the United States. It is ranked as one of the four best cities in the country to live in. And it has a population of nearly 70,300 people.
More importantly, Danville a stop on the Northern California leg of my epic trip, 70 Days Across America.
My stay was arranged by Visit Tri-Valley, which represents the three valleys surrounding Mount Diablo. In addition to Danville, featured cities include Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton.
My previous stops included San Francisco, Los Altos, Napa Valley, Concord, and Oakland.
Arrival in the Tri-Valley
After having lunch in downtown Oakland, I checked out of my hotel and traveled to the Tri-Valley on BART.
Upon my arrival, I called Uber to take me to the Four Points by Sheraton Pleasanton.
Little did I know that the hotel was within walking distance of the train station. In fact, had I known, I could have saved both time and money! It took forever for the driver to arrive!
After checking into the hotel, I explored its beautifully landscaped courtyards and gardens.
Then I did laps in the hotel’s sun-washed swimming pool. And I also caught a few rays in one of the lounge chairs surrounding the pool.
Next, I explored the hotel’s immediate neighborhood.
Finally, I had a sumptuous dinner at the hotel’s excellent restaurant. And I mean it was SUMPTUOUS! The Mediterranean menu lived up to Northern California’s reputation as a foodie’s paradise.
- Check out my first-hand hotel review: Four Points by Sheraton Pleasanton>>
- Check out mt first-hand restaurant review: Faz Restaurant & Bar>>
Visit Tri-Valley had arranged a full schedule of activities for me. The formal programme would begin the next day with a visit to the Blackhawk Museum.
Blackhawk Museum Overview
The Blackhawk Museum is one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s hidden treasures. The museum is located in Danville, which is a suburb of San Francisco and Oakland.
It has five sections. And each one of them has a very distinct collection. In addition, they all have a very different personality.
- Classic Automobiles
- Old West
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Ancient China
- Natural World
Blackhawk Mueum Classic Car Collection
After indulging in a hearty breakfast at Faz, a representative of Visit Tri-Valley picked me up and drove me to the Blackhawk Museum.
First we toured the Classic Car Collection. While some of the cars were from my grandparents’ generation, others were from my own childhood.
And it was like taking a walk down Memory Lane as I tried to remember the years and makes of some of those muscle cars from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.
My favourite had to be that classic woody from the early 1950s! Wasn’t it a Ford station wagon?
The docent was both enthusiastic and knowledgeable. And she was full of interesting anecdotes about the vehicles on display.
Blackhawk Museum Spirit of the Old West
Next we visited the Spirit of the Old West. And the docent related fascinating stories of the Native Americas as well as the trappers, traders, cowboys, and settlers.
What I remember most is the docent’s comment that to the native Americans, the buffalo was like an early version of Walmart.
Because from the noble beast they could source both food and clothing!
We didn’t have time to visit the other three sections of the museum. In fact, a mouth-watering lunch was waiting for us at a gastro pub in downtown Pleasanton.
Following lunch, there would be another museum visit. And a walk through downtown Pleasanton would follow.
But the highlight of a very eventful day would be attending the 19th Annual Eugene O’Neill Festival.
First there would be a VIP reception at the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House.
And finally, I would attend a performance of Eugene O’Neill’s play, Hughie.
Where to Eat in the Tri-Valley Area
- Posada Southwestern Cuisine – Livermore, California
- Faz Restaurant and Bar – Pleasanton, California
- Beer Baron Bar & Kitchen – Pleasanton, California
What to See and Do in the Tri-Valley Area
- Historic Walking Tour – Pleasanton
- Winery Tour – Livermore – COMING
Where to Stay in the Tri-Valley Area
Where
Blackhawk Museum – 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville, California. Telephone: (925) 736-2280.
Pleasanton is a part of the Tri-Valley Area in Southern Alameda County. It is roughly 39 miles east of San Francisco. The drive takes about 50 minutes. It is roughly 31 miles from Oakland. The drive takes about 40 minutes.
If you don’t drive, the restaurant can be reached by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). The Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station is a 10 minute walk from the restaurant.
If You’re Visiting San Francisco …
This post on the Blackhawk Museum is part of a series chronicling my epic journey, 70 Days Across America. It contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission that will help maintain this blog.