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Macfreak7 · Dec 20, 2006, 11:00 AM

Hello,

Here's the situation..
I have a job in Danville, CA and I'd like to know what's the most exciting city nearest to it.

Initially I was thinking about living in San Francisco and driving 30 odd miles everyday. But the idea seems pretty impractical especially since I'm only just starting out. I'd love to live in SF, but I guess just not right now.

What are the nice areas around east bay? I'm looking for a fairly lively neighbourhood, with some night life and enough restaurants, bars and such within a few miles at most. I've been looking at Walnut Creek and that seems all right. I've noticed quite a few members on here from that area.. what do you guys think?

Please help with some comments/suggestions as I'm getting a little nervous about this situation!
TIA

exca1ibur · Dec 20, 2006, 11:08 AM

Dublin has the big iMax theater and outdoor mall area. Stoneridge Mall is across the freeway. Concord has Sun Valley Mall and another shopping center on the other side of the freeway as well. Those are the only ones on that side I can think of on that side right now.

If you move over to the other side of the mountain. There is San Leandro with Bayfair mall. Fremont area you have The Great Mall. IF you want up closer towards SF and Oakland, there is always Piedmont. Great area there with GREAT shops and places there, kinda like a strip, but a bit more community based.

Hope that helps

Macfreak7 · Dec 20, 2006, 06:06 PM

Thanks for the reply!
I'm actually looking to be as close to Danville as possible. Places around Oakland would require me to drive at least 25 minutes. If that's the case I might as well add another 10 minutes to the commute and live in SF.

What are your thoughts on Walnut Creek? Is it all just boring suburbia or has some fun parts too?

exca1ibur · Dec 20, 2006, 06:44 PM

You have Concord right there so shopping and hanging out isn't a problem. Sun Valley mall is there, as are several shopping districts. Diablo Valley College is a few miles from the Mall as well so I'm sure some of the students there know more places. Not sure on the night life I haven't been in that area since I went to school out there. Its grown since then so I'm sure there is something there also. Since you are on a Mac board here, you have plenty of tech places to choose from though... Apple Store, CompUSA and a Fry's within about 5 min of each other.

Dr. Wahnsinn · Dec 21, 2006, 12:56 AM

If you want excitement in around Danville, then, as you thought, you might as well move to S.F. I don't think I've heard or read (except in brochures issued by the cities) the word "excitement" in a description of any East Bay cities. There is ample mall and downtown boutique shopping available in most East Bay cities as well as a variety of good dining establishments, but the club and bar scene is nowhere near what you'd find in S.F. (please note that this opinion comes from someone who doesn't frequent bars or clubs).

Check out the S. Main/Main St. area of Walnut Creek (The Apple Store is just about smack dab in the centre of it). In Concord, shop at Sun Valley Mall and Willows Shopping Centre, and check out the Todos Santos Plaza area for the downtown experience. Dublin has the Stoneridge Mall (already mentioned). Livermore has wineries and is growing like crazy (It's going to become a monster).
In Danville, you can check out the Hartz Ave. area at Diablo Rd., and also Blackhawk Plaza (Camino Tassajara Rd. and Blackhawk Rd.).

Sorry, but these are the suburbs and it's indicative of what's here (or not here) that there's such heavy traffic going into S.F. on Friday and Saturday nights.

itai195 · Dec 21, 2006, 01:26 AM

Nice? East Bay?

Does not compute

All kidding aside, I'd go with Walnut Creek. I wouldn't call it exciting, but nothing outside SF is 'exciting' in the Bay Area.

Macfreak7 · Dec 22, 2006, 11:52 AM

Thanks for the input guys.
I don't much care for the malls, but I guess that's indicative of restaurants and bars. So I'll look at Walnut Creek and Dublin again, that way I'll just be as close to work as possible and perhaps have fun in SF during the weekends, won't have to deal with the mad traffic daily.
How's San Ramon and Danville itself?

olePigeon · Dec 22, 2006, 01:23 PM

Downtown Livermore is nice during Christmas. If you're down there, though, and you like Indian food, check out San Sar! OMG, the BEST Indian food. Soooo goooood.

You're not too far from San Jose. Just go there.

I'm jealous. I wanna move to Walnut Creek. I love the trees.

olePigeon · 01:38 PM

I forgot to mention that Downtown Livermore becomes Pedestrian Only during the holidays. They completely redid First Street and it looks really nice.

olePigeon · 03:59 PM

Here're some resturants for you to try:

Casa Arosco - Unbelievably good Mexican food. (Livermore)
San Sar - Unbelievably good Indian food. (Livermore)
Amici's - East Coast style pizza, very good. (Dublin)

exca1ibur · Dec 22, 2006, 02:40 PM

Good ones as well...

Madam Sums(Dublin) - Chinese
House of Genji(San Jose) - Japanese

olePigeon · Dec 22, 2006, 03:58 PM

Another advantage of living where you are is that you're no more than 50 miles from like 10 different Apple Stores.

olePigeon · Dec 22, 2006, 04:06 PM

Also, if you want the best gods damn steak you'll ever have in your entire life, check out Arcadia on the ground level floor of the Marriott in Downtown San Jose. Don't expect to get out of there for less than $50 a plate (not including wine.)

I can't express how good the steak is. It's just the BEST steak. Ever. Anywhere in the world.

Casual formal, of course.

Another place to try out which is pretty good food, but more of a fun place to just check, is Campo di Bocce. There's one in Los Gatos, but there's a new one in Livermore that'd be closer. Bocce is fun. It's Italian lawn bowling. They have several lanes inside the restaurant itself.

exca1ibur · Dec 22, 2006, 06:58 PM

Harris Ranch (SF Van Ness) Steaks (14oz New York / 20oz ribeye / 20oz TBone / 28oz Porterhouse)

Macfreak7 · Dec 23, 2006, 02:55 PM

Once again, thanks for the suggestions! I'm mostly going to rent close to downtown walnut creek. It seems quite okay and hopefully i'll just be there for 6 months. So i'll be driving to most of these places you guys have mentioned!
I guess this is going to be a nice taste of the "real world" after a happy student life.

Just need to maintain focus i suppose.