Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day falls on Monday, October 12, this year. If you have the day free, there are plenty of ways to spend it close to home.
The trick is finding places with Monday hours. These five outings around the 925 fit the bill, based on their published schedules. They’re regular attractions you can enjoy on the holiday, rather than five special holiday events.
Make sure to confirm their hours before heading out, and enjoy the day.
1. Pick a pumpkin at Smith Family Farm in Brentwood
For a truly Fall-like experience, head to Smith Family Farm’s Pumpkin Harvest. (No relation to our editor in chief).
The farm’s seasonal attraction is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through November 1. Published weekday admission is $16 for visitors ages 2 and older, including a pumpkin of any size from the patch. Children under 2 enter free.
There’s more to do than choose your future jack-o’-lantern. Admission includes the barnyard animal area, live music (often country or bluegrass), an observation beehive, games, and fall photo opportunities.
Bring cash or a check, since the farm doesn’t accept credit cards. Packing lunch is a good idea, too: Outside food is allowed, but the farm says its weekday schedule doesn’t include hot food or food trucks.
The farm is at 4350 Sellers Avenue in Brentwood. Arrive well before the 4:30 p.m. admission cutoff to give yourself time to explore.
2. See Mount Diablo from somewhere other than the freeway
We spend so much time looking at Mount Diablo from below that it’s easy to forget how different the view is from the top.
A visit to Mount Diablo State Park can combine a scenic drive with a stop at the Summit Visitor Center, which lists daily hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Its exhibits explore the mountain’s natural and cultural history.
It’s also a place to reflect on the meaning of Indigenous Peoples Day. California State Parks notes that the mountain is sacred to the East Bay’s Native Americans and has been since time immemorial.
For another stop, Rock City, off South Gate Road, has sandstone formations and wind caves to explore from designated trails.
Park gates open at 8 a.m. and close at sunset. The North Gate and South Gate entrances list a $10 vehicle fee. Check current restrictions before leaving, since extreme fire danger can close the park.
3. Make a picnic day of Lafayette Reservoir
Lafayette Reservoir is open every day, including holidays. October hours are 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., with parking listed at $7 for the day.
Maybe grab a sandwich at Diablo Foods, our new favorite Lafayette sandwich shop, to eat there.
If you’re a local, you doubtless already know this, but the paved Lakeside Nature Trail makes a 2.7-mile loop. Families can also spend time at the playground near the East Lawn, which includes a tot lot for children ages 2 to 5.
The entrance is at 3849 Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette.
4. Explore the Delta at Big Break in Oakley
For a change of scenery, trade the inland hills for the Delta waterfront at Big Break Regional Shoreline.
This Oakley park has a relatively flat, paved trail, picnic areas, and an observation pier. One particularly cool feature is its 1,200-square-foot outdoor scale map of the Delta, which helps visitors picture the region’s complicated waterways.
Bring binoculars if you have them. The park supports an assortment of birds, including herons and egrets.
Parking is free, and October vehicle-gate hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Plan this as an outdoor visit: The visitor center’s regular hours are Wednesday through Sunday.
The park currently posts a blue-green algae danger advisory, and swimming isn’t permitted. Stick to a walk, wildlife watching, and a picnic.
Find it at 69 Big Break Road in Oakley.
5. Bowl, play arcade games, or sing karaoke in Concord
If your household votes for an indoor outing, Round1 at Sunvalley Shopping Center gives you several possibilities under one roof.
The Concord location lists bowling, arcade games, billiards, ping pong, and karaoke. That makes it a useful choice when one person wants to compete and another would rather spend the afternoon playing games.
You could build the visit around a round of bowling, then set an arcade budget before everyone scatters toward the machines.
Round1’s published hours are 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, including Mondays. Activity prices vary, so check the location’s current rate sheets when planning your visit.
The address is 185 Sunvalley Mall in Concord.
Hours and prices reflect published information checked October 11, 2026. Again, check the linked official pages for last-minute schedule changes and park alerts before heading out.
