Discover Dublin: History, Art and Landscape

Dublin combines local history, public art, expansive landscapes and activities for varied holiday days. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Dublin can plan their stay according to their own interests: among historic sites, cycling and walking routes, parks, seasonal events and experiences for different age groups.

History and Art in Dublin

A good starting point for culture enthusiasts is Dublin Heritage Park & Museums. The 10-acre park includes historic buildings, lawns, the Pioneer Cemetery and picnic areas. At the cemetery, individual gravestones, memorial benches, memorial stones or burial plots can be selected to display further information. This provides an opportunity to engage with local history while spending time outdoors.

The Dublin Camp Parks Military History Center preserves the history of the military base and explains how it helped shape Dublin from a rural transportation hub into a thriving city. St. Raymond’s Church also represents the historic side of the community. Built in 1858 in the Greek Revival style, it is one of the earliest wooden churches in Alameda County and the only church of its type in Dublin. Kolb House contains original period-style rooms with Kolb family furniture from the Mission and Arts and Crafts traditions, family photographs and personal belongings.

Public art adds further points of interest. “Dogs of Dublin” consists of 80 colorful dog silhouettes and extends for nearly 500 feet along the fence at Dougherty Hills Dog Park. At Emerald Glen Park, the site-specific artwork “Divided Sea” stands at the entrance. “Dust in the Universe” in Kolb Park uses a floor made of concrete tiles to depict themes from particle physics. “Crossroads” in Don Biddle Park is designed as a plaza intersected by two roads and references Dublin’s history as a crossroads for stagecoach routes.

Landscape and Active Days

The Iron Horse Regional Trail runs through Dublin and is directly connected to the Dublin/Pleasanton and Pleasant Hill BART stations. As a 32-mile multipurpose trail with extensive access between Concord and Pleasanton, it particularly appeals to visitors who want to include cycling in their trip. The route can be a main focus in its own right or an active addition to cultural excursions.

For nature experiences, there is the Dublin Hills Regional Open Space Preserve. It covers approximately 654 acres in an undeveloped open-space corridor of ridgelines and steep-sided canyons. The trails provide access for hikers, cyclists and equestrians, as well as excellent views. In the grasslands, golden eagles use the preserve for hunting; in California, they are considered a species of special concern and are fully protected. Those choosing a holiday apartment in Dublin can therefore alternate between cultural activities and days in the open landscape.

Parks, Water and Seasonal Experiences

Emerald Glen Park is a 48.2-acre park at the intersection of Tassajara Road and Central Parkway. Don Biddle Community Park has tennis courts, basketball courts, two playgrounds, a community garden and an orchard. Large art sculptures there commemorate veterans. These different park offerings give families and travel groups several ways to spend a day outdoors without limiting their stay to a single area of interest.

The Wave also adds to the range of activities. During the summer water park season from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Waterslide Tower has six water slides. The indoor pool offers swimming lessons, lap swimming and water aerobics year-round. For travel planning, the distinction between seasonal water park offerings and year-round indoor pool activities is therefore relevant.

Markets and Festivals

The seasonal Dublin Farmers’ Market takes place from April through September 2026 on Thursdays from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Emerald Glen Park. Vendors offer locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods, honey, nuts, pasta and hot food. The annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration includes a two-day festival, a 5K run and walk, a gala, a fire department pancake breakfast and a parade. The St. Patrick’s Day Festival features Irish music and dancing, food and drinks, arts and crafts stalls and a carnival.

When choosing accommodation, you can therefore use your preferred travel rhythm as a starting point: history and art, active days on trails, parks and water activities, or seasonal events. Other destinations in the same broader offering: Newark, Oakland, Alameda, Castro Valley, Pleasanton, Emeryville, Berkeley and San Leandro.

Return to the broader travel overview: Alameda.