Emerald Culture: 15 Best Things To Do In Dublin, California

1. The Murray Schoolhouse

Wondering what to do in Dublin, CA? Pay a visit to The Murray Schoolhouse. It was built in 1856 and can be found on the Dublin Heritage Park and Museum grounds. Having seen it personally, I can tell you how interesting it is to see how school was taught in the old days. I especially loved the desks and school boards. It is a nice place to visit where you canimagine a simpler life in a bygone era.

There is also a museum here that highlights the rich history of this exciting place. It is sure worth a visit.

Murray Schoolhouse

Address: 6600 Donlon Way, Dublin, CA

Opening Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 1:00 PM-4:00 PM; Tuesday 6:00 PM-9:00 PM

2. Dublin Pioneer Cemetery

I am suggesting this cemetery because it holds the remains of many pioneer settlers who arrived during the 1849 California Gold Rush, which is exciting to see. My son and his class really enjoyed reading the headstones..The cemetery was established in 1859 behind Old St. Raymond’s Church and is a great tribute to the settlers. It is also located on the Dublin Heritage Park and Museum grounds. Tom Donlon died while working on the construction of the church and was the first person to be buried in the cemetery, following its formal dedication. The street the cemetery is located on is also named after him.

The cemetery remains open to visitors today but tombstones cannot be purchased here anymore.

Dublin Pioneer Cemetery

Address: 6600 Donlon Way, Dublin, CA

3. Old St. Raymond's Church

This truly charming chapel, built in 1859, hosts a New England-style clapboard exterior, Gothic arched windows as well as heart redwood floors. It is interesting to note that the general appearance of the church has remained unchanged since 1869. Another interesting fact is that the church is the oldest extant Catholic church in Alameda and Contra Costa county and on April 12, 2006, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Not only is the church available for weddings and other kinds of ceremonies, but for meetings and musical programs, too. The Pioneer Cemetery is located right behind Old St. Raymond’s Church.

Old St.Raymond's Church

Address: 6600 Donlon Way, Dublin, CA

4. Emerald Glen Park

This is a huge community park in Dublin that includes lit tennis and basketball courts, a ball field, a soccer field and a cricket field as well as a beautiful group picnic area complete with built-in barbeques. Many events are held here and it is a perfect place to do so. The nice thing is there is a playground near the barbeque area, so parents can keep an eye on the kids. The kids can also bike and play soccer around the picnic area and the adults can enjoy a game of cricket in the big, nearby field.

As for the other features of this fun park, there is a big lit skateboard area for older kids. There are two play areas, one of which has a water feature.

The city’s residents are eagerly awaiting the new water park called “The Wave”, which is expected to open in May 2017.

For adults and families alike, right across the street is the Waterford shopping center with an Amici’s Pizza restaurant, a Safeway grocery store, a Blush Organic Yogurt shop as well as other shops and restaurants.

Emerald Glen Park

Address 4201 Central Pkwy

Opening Hours: Dawn to Dusk

5. Iron Horse Trail

The Iron Horse Trail is a former railroad that is now a nice trail for hiking and biking for all ages. It runs all the way from Dublin to the city of Alamo. There is a creek on this trail where you can see ducks, turkeys and other wildlife on certain days if you are lucky. Each and every day you will see people walking to and from the trail when you drive by the park, although the trail itself is away from the road. It is a nice place to see people enjoying themselves outdoors with friends and family.

Not only is this a long trail, but it is a truly breathtaking one. Although we are specifically speaking of the Dublin part here, the park is accessible from any town along the way. It is a great way to get some needed exercise while enjoying the scenic route.

Iron Horse Trail

Address: 6253 Dougherty Rd, Dublin, CA 94568

Opening Hours: Open between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. unless otherwise posted or permitted

Contact: (925) 479-9167

Website: Iron Horse

The following content is contributed by Trip101 writer, Kenrick

6. The Dublin Wave Waterpark

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Dublin, CA, then visit The Dublin Wave Waterpark. Beat the summer heat with a dip in one of the wave pools here. The park features various slide towers, splash zones for kids, and several sports pool for athletes. You and your kids are guaranteed to have a lot of fun here. The main attraction of the water park is its six-waterslide tower. You can choose from a number of water slides that vary in height. For the most thrill, choose Emerald Plunge where you’ll feel the adrenaline rush into your body as you free-fall straight down below!

The Dublin Wave Waterpark

Address: 4201 Central Pkwy, Dublin, CA 94568, United States

Website: The Dublin Wave Waterpark

7. Kolb House Historic House Museum

During the 1880s, a German immigrant by the name of George Kolb came to Dublin. He soon bought Dublin’s General Store, amassing a great fortune. However, he wasn’t content, and soon purchased 300 acres (121 hectares) of land that he converted into a farm. A house was built on the property, which is now a museum open to everyone. At the museum, visitors can glance at how the Kolb family lived their life. The house itself is a throwback to the past, preserving its bungalow-style architecture that harks back to the 1910s. Inside, visitors get to see memorabilia and photos of the family.

Kolb House Historic House Museum

Website: Kolb House Historic House Museum

8. K1 Speed Dublin

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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If you’re looking for cool places in Dublin, CA, then full speed ahead to K1 Speed Dublin! This indoor racing complex is the ultimate destination for all things go-karting. There is only one track on-site, but it is enough to give adults and children a serious challenge. Guests have the option to test their driving skills with K1 Speed’s Arrive & Drive pass. The best go-kart drivers are encouraged to compete with various championships held on pre-determined dates. For beginners, K1 Speed also offers driving lessons so they can get up to speed with go-karting. Hungry drivers can refill at Paddock Lounge, which offers burgers, pizzas, nachos, smoothies, and many more.

K1 Speed Dublin

Address: 6400 Sierra Ct Suite B, Dublin, CA 94568, United States

Website: K1 Speed Dublin

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 6pm -10:30pm; Fri: 6pm - 11pm; Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 9pm

Price: USD 22.95 onwards

9. Kolb Park

Kolb Park is a mini-park managed by the City of Dublin. It is situated between Brighton Drive and Bristol Road. This park is perfect for a lazy stroll on weekends or a jog in the morning. It has several amenities that make it a prime location for a casual picnic on a summer day. There are two picnic areas available in the park, and you must reserve the larger area if you’re bringing along the extended family. All picnic areas come with barbeque grills too. Kids will love the play area on-site. Meanwhile, fitness buffs and those into sports will be delighted with the park’s fitness equipment and tennis courts ready to cater to them.

Kolb Park

Address: 8020 Bristol Rd, Dublin, CA 94568, United States

Website: Kolb Park

Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)

10. Earl Anthony's Dublin Bowl

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

There is no better way to pass the time than to spend it at a bowling alley. Here at Dublin, visit Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl. The venue features 40 championship lanes to test your bowling skills. Bowling is challenging enough, so make sure to keep track of how you’re doing with the alley’s automatic scoring system. Tired of bowling? Rest first and take a look at what they offer from the bar. Or, keep it casual and watch the big game at the spacious lounge. Kids will love the mini-arcade on site. There’s also a meeting room that can accommodate 50 people at once, making the bowling alley a perfect place for weekend gatherings.

Earl Anthony's Dublin Bowl

Address: 6750 Regional St, Dublin, CA 94568, United States

Website: Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl

Price: 3 USD onwards

11. Dublin Iceland

Slide away and have fun skating at Dublin Iceland! This one of the most popular Dublin, CA attractions. Dublin Iceland offers different activities that will make your time on the ice rink an enjoyable one. Every day, they hold a public skating session where you can learn about the beautiful art of skating. With enough practice, you’ll learn how to balance yourself and glide onto the ice. And if you want to take your skating skills to the next level, advanced lessons are also available. If you’re more into ice hockey, they also have programs to help you build your skills in that too. They offer broomball for those who want to enjoy hockey but without skates.

Dublin Iceland

Address: 7212 San Ramon Rd, Dublin, CA 94568, United States

Website: Dublin Iceland

Opening hours: Mon: 10am - 11:30am, 2pm - 4:30pm; Tue: 2pm - 4:30pm, 7:45pm - 9pm; Wed: 10am - 11:30am, 2pm - 4:30pm; Fri: 10am - 11:30am, 2pm - 4:30pm; Sat: 11:30am - 3pm; Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed on Thu)

12. Rockin' Jump Trampoline Park Dublin

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Kids and the young-at-heart can jump to their hearts’ content at Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park. This is also the perfect place for those who would like some exercise and fun at the same time. Trampoline lovers will be jumping and doing somersaults in no time thanks to the place’s open jump arena. But there’s more to do here. You can try out their Zip Glider, a cart-less zipline roller coaster only found here. Shoot that ball and score some points at Slam Dunk Zone. And if you’re up for a one-of-a-kind thrill, sign-up for their dodgeball match.

Rockin' Jump Trampoline Park Dublin

Address: 5625 Shier Rings Rd, Dublin, OH 43016, United States

Website: Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park Dublin

Opening hours: Sun - Thu : 10am - 6pm; Fri: 10am - 7pm; Sat: 9am - 7pm

13. Dublin Farmers' Market

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Farmers’ market is a great avenue for establishing connections with people who grow your food. In Dublin, you can catch local farmers selling organic produce at Dublin Farmers’ Market. It takes place at Emerald Glen Park from April to September, so you have plenty of time to buy produce and support your local farmers. The items that you buy here are guaranteed to be fresh and of top quality. Aside from fresh produce, you can also find some great retail items, foodstuff and other locally made goods. As you leave, make sure to drop by the food stalls for some delicious treats.

Dublin Farmers' Market

Address: Emerald Glen Community Park, Dublin, CA 94568, United States

Website: Dublin Farmers’ Market

Opening hours: Sat: 9am - 12pm (closed from Sun - Fri)

14. Denica's Real Food Kitchen

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Indeed, food is love at Denica’s Real Food Kitchen. This restaurant is owned and operated by a wife-and-husband team James and Denica Freites who have been operating the dining spot since 1999. The goal of the restaurant owners is to offer a place where friends and family can come together for a savory meal. That goal is met with success, and today, the restaurant has two more locations in California. Here at Dublin, you can expect the same warmth and delicious meals that came to define Denica’s. Order their famous purple yam pancakes, crepes, or french toast — and expect satisfaction in every bite.

Denica's Real Food Kitchen

Address: 6058 Dougherty Rd, Dublin, CA 94568, United States

Website: Denica’s Real Food Kitchen

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 1pm; Sat - Sun: 7am - 2pm

15. Caps & Taps

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Head over to Caps & Taps for a refreshing end to your sojourn in Dublin. This pub is set in the heart of Dublin, and it is family-owned too. You can order local craft beers that will surely invigorate your taste buds. And the beers here are unique. Caps & Taps ensure that you’ll only get the best and the latest beers from its finest collection. Plus, you’ll be provided with helpful information about the beer that you’ll be drinking. Down for a drink? They have 18 rotating taps to make sure you sample all that they have to offer.

Caps & Taps

Address: 6601 Dublin Blvd M, Dublin, CA 94568, United States

Website: Caps & Taps

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 12am

Some last words about Dublin

Dublin, California, is a lively, up and coming town. All kinds of shops and restaurants are opening around town and the population is increasing. It is a great place to raise a family due to its location and great school system. So, if you ever find yourself in the San Francisco Bay Area, stop in Dublin and take in the rich culture, especially if you are there around St. Patrick’s Day.