Howe Homestead Park and the western entrance to Shell Ridge are only a short walk from downtown. When leaving the Howe Homestead parking lot and crossing the old stone bridge, one gets a sense of the town as it was in the late 1930s. Hikers may begin their journey on the Kovar Trail and walk 10 miles to the summit of Mount Diablo. A small picnic area is accessible on a first-come, first-served basis, and there is a bathroom in the park’s central area.
James Howe, an Associated Press reporter in the early twentieth century, used to live in the park. He was born in Kansas and toured the world, reporting on incidents such as the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco and World War I, as well as interviewing many famous people such as Stalin, King George V, and Gandhi. He had the house remodeled and developed his estate after retiring to Walnut Creek in 1935. He was a winemaker, pigeon breeder, nut grower, gourmet, and collector, among other items.
Gardening in the Neighborhood
The Community Gardens are one of the park’s highlights. Residents of Walnut Creek can rent 48 gardening plots to grow vegetables and ornamental plants. It has a multi-year waiting list due to its success.
It’s a hidden gem here, and few people are aware of it. The gardens are also very lovely! You can also go to Shell Ridge from here, which is a day’s worth of fun!
Dog-friendly park that is small and secret. With a farm atmosphere, it’s quiet and private. The Howe house has been well preserved, but there isn’t much information about tours and other events available.
Howe Homestead Park is a small recreational park concealed behind downtown Walnut Creek’s streets. If you’re driving down Ygnacio Valley Rd from Concord, turn left on Walnut Blvd and drive straight until you see a small parking lot on the left.
Parking is free, and you can enter the park via a small path. The park is small, but it contains many well-preserved antiques such as an old farm wagon and beekeeper boxes along its route. A few benches are available for people to sit and relax while having a picnic. There’s a nice community garden along the path behind the park, and the bathroom is spotless.
After walking through the yard, you’ll come across a decrepit sign that says “Kovar Trail” in faint letters. You will continue on this trail until you hit a three-way trail junction at the top of a hill. There’s a stunning viewpoint that overlooks Walnut Creek, the rolling hills, and the highway 24 and 680 freeways.
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This amazing park is just one of the many must-see parks you don’t want to miss nine Walnut Creek, California:
All of these wonderful parks are located just a short distance from our location at 1777 Botelho Drive, Suite 110 in Walnut Creek! Stop by for a visit anytime!
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