“The word pique-nique first appeared in a bawdy 17th-century French poem that featured a gluttonous character called Pique-Nique,” writes Claire Turrell in Smithsonian Magazine. Surprisingly, perhaps, the earliest picnics were held indoors. “Many countries have long used a picnic to mark an occasion, such as the Japanese tradition of picnicking under flowering trees during the centuries-old cherry blossom festivals, or the Finnish herring picnic on May Day.”

According to Turrell, it was in the 1830s when “city-dwelling Americans started to copy Europeans, throwing down their picnic rugs in parks to embrace the countryside vibe.” Modern picnics, with food stored in portable coolers, can be traced to the popularity of car tourism in the 1950s and 1960s, she writes.

While there is no universal definition of the ideal picnic spot, there are many public opinions on the matter. In Queen of the Household, for example, the author shared her  best advice. “If the party is to drive or ride, let not the distance be too great,” wrote Mrs. M. W. Ellsworth in 1900. “There should be a stream or spring of pure water, materials for a fire, shade intermingled with sunshine, and a reasonable freedom from tormenting insect life.”

The Joy of Alfresco Dining

The warm days of summer offer an ideal time to enjoy alfresco dining surrounded by the Tri-Valley’s natural beauty. “With its gorgeous weather, choice of mountain or lake, wide open spaces or local parks, the Tri-Valley offers a variety of places to set up the perfect picnic,” according to Robin Fahr, Vice President of Marketing for Visit Tri-Valley. “Whether you’re planning a family friendly day, a date with your sweetheart, or a big group outing with friends or colleagues, you’ll find an outdoor spot for any occasion.”

The East Bay Regional Park District has over 1,250 miles of trails throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties. That includes “some amazing ones in Tri-Valley-area parks," according to Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor for the East Bay Regional Park District. "From wildflowers at Sunol to the raptors soaring over Morgan Territory, Regional Park trails offer multiple opportunities to explore."

That also means multiple opportunities to picnic. Del Valle Regional Park, Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, and Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve, for example, offer a variety of beautiful outdoor spots that are easy to access for those who work or live at Hacienda. Del Valle Regional Park features a five-mile-long lake nestled within 4,395 acres of natural beauty. Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park boasts canyon views, ridge-top vistas, and remote, deep-canyon streams. Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve includes Alameda County's largest stream, Alameda Creek, and is an excellent location for birding as well as picnicking.

The Park District has more than 3,800 picnic tables throughout its 73 parks. There are also 139 reservable group sites for groups of 35 to 500 people. The Park District website is a good place to start for picnic planners in search of a location. The website offers a host of resources, including advice on heat safety during warm days and a guide to shady hikes and cooler park locations.

Picnic Planning Guide

Visit Tri-Valley’s Picnic Planning Guide offers many additional picnic options as well. “Don’t forget, picnicking is welcome at many of the Livermore Valley Wineries,” notes Fahr. “Many not only allow visitors to bring their own food but also have picnic areas onsite.”

The summer is also a prime season for enjoying picnics during local events. Each year the City of Pleasanton holds free family and picnic friendly Movies in the Park, which are held at Amador Valley Community Park and begin at dusk. The final three films will be shown on July 20, July 27, and August 3, respectively. The city’s weekly Concerts in the Park, which started on June 9 and end on August 25, are also excellent picnic opportunities.

Author W. Somerset Maugham expressed the view that “there are few things so pleasant as a picnic lunch.” At Hacienda, convenient spots for picnics are available at Linear Park, a private greenbelt off of Hacienda Drive, and at two adjacent community parks. Linear Park covers a total of 2.85 acres of enjoyable open spaces including a wide open lawn area immediately adjacent to the Iron Horse Trail. Owens Plaza Park, which abuts the center portion of the Linear Park, spans over 3 acres and features picnic tables, benches, and a tot lot. Creekside Park features a large, 6.6-acre open lawn space for activities such as soccer, softball, and, naturally, picnics. Nearby, Harding Park offers an additional engaging outdoor area for enjoyment and relaxation.

For more information about East Bay Regional Park District, please visit www.ebparks.org.

For information about reserving picnic areas within the East Bay Regional Park District, please visit www.ebparks.org/recreation/picnics.

For more information about heat safety during warm days, please visit www.ebparks.org/Public-Safety/Heat-Safety.

For information about shady hikes and cooler parks, please visit www.ebparks.org/visit/shady-hikes-cooler-parks.

For more information about the Visit Tri-Valley Picnic Planning Guide, please visit visittrivalley.com/2018/04/picnic.

For more information about Pleasanton’s free Movies in the Park, please visit www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/gov/depts/cs/arts/default.asp.

For more information about Pleasanton’s Concerts in the Park, please visit www.pleasantondowntown.net/events.

For more information about outdoor recreation areas at Hacienda, please visit www.hacienda.org/amenities/employees-residents/recreation.

Photo by Calvin Shelwell on Unsplash