Location: Hercules
Top Things to do in Hercules
- 1. John Muir National Historic Site
- 2. Benicia Capitol State Historic Park
- 3. Tilden Regional Park
- 4. Franklin Canyon Golf Course
- 5. Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park
- 6. San Francisco Bay Ferry Vallejo Service
- 7. Spaghetti Tours
- 8. San Pablo Reservoir Recreation Area
- 9. UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley
- 10. Point Isabel
Top 10 Things to do in Hercules, United States
Hercules is a city in western Contra Costa County, California. Situated along the coast of San Pablo Bay, it is located in the eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area, about 10 miles (16 km) north of Berkeley, California. As of 2010, its population was 24,060, according to the United States Census Bureau. The site of Hercules was first developed in 1881 as a manufacturing facility of the California Powder Works for the production of its patented dynamite formulation, Hercules powder. In 1882, the Hercules Powder Company was incorporated and assumed responsibility for the Hercules site. It was one of several explosive manufacturers that were active along the Pinole shoreline in the late 19th to the mid-20th century. The small company town that grew up near the facility subsequently became known as "Hercules", and was incorporated at the end of 1900. Starting in the 1970s, Hercules was heavily redeveloped as suburban bedroom community that lies along the I-80 corridor in Eastern Contra Costa County. It has a very ethnically diverse population.
Restaurants in Hercules
1. John Muir National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Museum dedicated to the founder of the environmental movement.
Reviewed By Jinnyus - Florence, KY
I like visiting historic homes and it was nice to see this one. John Muir lived here as an adult when he took over his father-in-law's orchard business. The house isn't overly large, but has some nice views from the upper level. You can learn a bit about Muir by watching a short film in the visitor center and then tour the main house and the adobe out back. Cool things are the fact that the windows are old wavy glass and you can walk up to the attic and bell tower. It's rare to get into an attic in an old home. You kind of get an idea of what the view would have been back in Muir's day.
Plus, you can pick fruit in season from apple, peach, pear, lime, lemon, and persimmon trees or grapes off the vine for free! The grapes were like raisins on the vine when I was there. Tasty! And, you can see a sequoia that Muir planted.
2. Benicia Capitol State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Park houses the Fischer-Hanlon house and the one time California State Capitol building.
Reviewed By jdc8mbc - California
The Benicia State Capitol building is the only still-standing pre-Sacramento capital building. (Previous locations included San Jose, Vallejo, and Benicia. Monterey was the capital when California was under Spanish/Mexican rule.) The building houses a museum displaying artifacts and objects from when Benicia served as California's capital, including the rooms housing the House and Senate. The museum is open Thursday-Sunday, closed Monday, Tuesday and holidays. The volunteer ranger was quite knowledgeable and helpful in explaining the history of California.
3. Tilden Regional Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 478 reviews
Tilden is one of Berkeley's oldest and most popular parks that offers a variety of family-fun activities like pony rides and carousels.
Reviewed By Ninaad D - Dublin, California
We have visited Tilden Park several times in the past year. Our toddler loves riding the trains and we enjoy the nature walks. The train rides are fun for the entire family. The train models are very well designed and lot of fun to explore. Pack a picnic and enjoy the entire day here.
4. Franklin Canyon Golf Course
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 5 reviews
This Robert Muir Graves design features 18 holes at par 72 with many elevation changes and some unique holes.
Reviewed By Nothreeputts - Hercules, California
I have been playing here for 20+ years and have seen the course in great shape and I see how it looks today. I never get tired of the layout and the ensuing challenges offered throughout the year. However this place is going downhill faster than a putt from the top of #13 green !!!
The management of American Golf is utterly pathetic. I've been on other courses in the area and when asked my home course is FC the first response is "Oh, that place is soooo slow!!! Their reputation precedes them exponentially and they just don't care.
A couple of managers and superintendents ago, the course was better maintained and operated. Rumor has it that staff is sent to FC either to start a golf career or END it. I've heard that AmerGolf keeps a tight fist when it comes to budget and you have to give credit to the mgt/super for doing the best they can....but it's not good enough. The course is seriously lacking in proper irrigation in places. Tee boxes look like training grounds for rototiller olympics. The greens start to look normal and then they find a way to screw them up again !!! I see many branches left laying in place after a gusty wind liberates them and NOBODY picks them up. Traditionally speaking, once the pro shop gets your money, they're no longer interested in your customer satisfaction. Evidence by lack of beverage cart when needed. Marshall's are an absolute joke. Some of them are "Little Gestapos" in the way they speak to the paying public. We see them once in a blue moon and they spend most of their time racking up the miles or looking for balls and not tending to the source of income...US !!
Five hour rounds are commonplace. Their policy is 15 mins per hole = 4 1/2 hr round. Novel if no one is ahead of you. But routinely we've had to wait on every shot, every hole. It may only take 4.5 - 5 hrs sometimes, but that's not time well spent and certainly not what I paid for.
The tee times are spaced 7 or 8 mins apart and all but guarantee a log jam for the first 5 holes...unnecessary !!
You can't beat the location. It's quiet and serene. Reminds me of (the ultimate location) Tilden Park. They've had 4 golf pros in as many years. If they paid better wages for the greens keepers and inside staff, they'd get better quality of help. A more realistic maint budget would keep the 45 yr old golf course in better shape and the golfers would come back.
I recommend that everyone come out and play here, it's a fun place. Just don't let the environment get you down.
Rusty
5. Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 206 reviews
Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member
Wonderful museum with great displays and short films that tell the story. Coordinate your visit around a scheduled talk by Ranger Betty Soskin. She is a compelling and inspiring speaker who weaves past and present into her own riveting story. History comes alive and you will not be disappointed. At 96 years young, she is a national treasure!
6. San Francisco Bay Ferry Vallejo Service
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 286 reviews
Reviewed By Gene G - Benicia, California
Park $, then my Senior clipper card makes it easy to Ferry Building, then the street car works for me. From Benicia it is 7 Miles and no bridge versus bart. I like it, coming back the line wraps around the ferry Building,
7. Spaghetti Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Spaghetti Tours is a fully-insured and licensed (TCP#28986) company, founded in 2012. Vincenzo,the owner, has 18 years of experience in the industry and can speaks fluent English and Italian. At Spaghetti Tours we want to provide an alternative to the big bus tours. We offer three tours with lecture around the San Francisco Bay Area: City Tour, Muir Woods and Sausalito, and the Wine Country Napa/Sonoma. We can also charter our van on an hourly basis (4 hours minimum, call for prices.)We use a new 2012 Mercedes Sprinter Van with 12 seats (11 passengers plus a driver.) The van has high ceilings, large windows, comfortable seats, A/C and a CD player. Make your reservations before the high season is here. Our new website is ready to be viewed. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Vincenzo.
Reviewed By rmjones9 - Fort Worth, Texas
My wife and I recently took three other couples on a tour around San Francisco, then to Muir Woods, then Sausalito and finally to Alcatraz. Vincent was a pretty good tour guide. He was willing to do whatever we wanted and he suggested that we stop at the scenic outlook above the Golden Gate bridge. I'm so glad he did! You may find a tour guide with a bit more knowledge or a better presentation, but for the price, we were extremely satisfied.
Vincent also was very clear about charges, with no hidden taxes or fees. I really appreciated the honesty, as it's sometimes scary dealing with tour guides.
8. San Pablo Reservoir Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By yvonne p - El Sobrante, California
We've done most everything here: kayaks, pontoon boats, sailboat, fishing, bird watching, hiking, horseback riding, picnics, wildlife observation...
Closed a couple of months during the winter. Boat and kayak rentals. Tackle/bait and cafe. Car, boat and fishing permit fees. Bring your own boat = must pass inspections.
Best stocked lake in the state...that's why the fishermen, birds and otters love it. Surrounded by open space; west and south side has trails going to other adjoining parks. Bald Eagles, Herons, Egrets, Pelicans, Osprey, Terns, Ducks, Geese, etc. All kinds of mammals; Cougars to Raccoons.
No bikes or dogs, permits required on EBMUD open space trails.
Limited wheelchair accessibility - last time we went, they didn't have the accessible dock hooked up to the paved walkway.
9. UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 421 reviews
Past Strawberry Canyon is the 34-acre Botanical Garden, which holds about 13,000 species of plants. The species are organized according to regions of the world, and the garden has a great collection of native Californian plants. Bring a picnic basket and some money for the bookstore and admission (closed the first Tuesday of each month and free on the first Thursday of each month). Be sure to check out the conservatory (for tropical plants) and the Chinese medicinal herb garden.The garden is open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. every day of the year except the first Tuesday of each month, Thanksgiving Day, December 24 and 25, December 31, January 1, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Tours are also available on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Reviewed By DaleRachmeler - Oakland, California
A beautiful garden set in the hills above Berkeley and the university. Dating back almost 100 years this is a beautifully designed garden wandering up and down the hills. The collection is large, the folks are very friendly and it is a lovely place to spend some time just feeling good. Of course from this spot you have magnificent views of the Bay and on a clear day you can see forever. The signage is well done and just about everything is labeled. The store is very nice and they sell plants that are left over from trials, new planting and multiplication. The Docents give an excellent tour and are very very knowledgeable so give it a go you will really like it.
10. Point Isabel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Park, great for dog walking and windsurf launches.
Reviewed By Gene G - Benicia, California
Point Isabel,,just West of 80 on Central,, has a great bike path up to the old Ford Plant,
the Best Dog Park, and windsurfing,, pretty great little place.
For instance today , it was 90 degrees in Benicia, and 70 degrees for a bike ride by the water from point Isabell up past the Richmond Marina
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