When we say Bay Area, a lot of people really just think of San Francisco, although some also think of San Jose and Oakland. Not surprising, really, since those are some of the major cities in the Bay Area. But there are a lot of cities here as well that are worth considering when planning a trip to the West Coast.

Diablo Valley, located just 20 miles outside of the San Francisco Bay Area, offers a variety of activities and experiences to those in the Bay Area looking for a change of scenery. One of their attractions, Concord Pavilion, is a wonderful outdoor concert venue featuring top performing artists throughout the summer.

I was given the opportunity to experience the Diablo Valley in the East Bay through a night of music at the Concord Pavilion. My husband and I were given VIP tickets to Hot Summer Night featuring Boyz II Men, En Vogue, SWV, K-Ci & JoJo, Dru Hill, and Ginuwine. The VIP experience included VIP seating at a box section, VIP parking, VIP lounge, wait service, and complimentary appetizers. Long story short, it was awesome!

It was such a great experience for us! First, because my husband and I are huge fans of Boyz II Men, and we’ve been wanting to watch them live. While I’ve already seen Boyz II Men live in Vegas, I was with a group of bloggers and journalists that time. I really wanted to watch them live with my husband.

Boyz II Men was scheduled to perform last in that concert.

It was a great experience for us also because we were treated to some really good music at a gathering of people who appreciate good music. I loved hearing some of the songs I loved back in high school, songs that I haven’t heard for so long, songs that my mind may have already forgotten but my soul remembers.

The artists were very talented and very good. All of them. You wouldn’t think it’s been 20 years or so since we first heard them sing their hits. Here’s a short clip of K-Ci and Jojo performing Tell Me It’s Real:

And when it was time for Boyz II Men to perform, people went crazy! We were all screaming with excitement! Even my usually laid-back husband! And of course, I can’t not take a clip of them performing!

It was really an awesome, awesome experience! The box section where we were was a great place to just enjoy the music and relax.

After the concert, we stayed the night at Hilton Concord.

As can always be expected with Hilton hotels, we had a very clean room and customer service was great. We felt really welcomed by the people at the reception desk. The person who assisted me even gave me a quick tour of the first floor of the hotel. Talk about going the extra mile! We also received complimentary fruits, and cheese and crackers. Yum!

We were given the opportunity to try out Plate & Vine Restaurant at the Hilton Concord.

But because we stayed there on a Sunday night and they’re only open for breakfast on Sundays, we just had to order room service from them. We got a pizza, a club sandwich, and a cheesecake.

Honestly speaking, I wasn’t expecting that the pizza would be so good. But it was. The club sandwich and cheesecake were good as well. It was a very good and satisfying late dinner (or pre-midnight snack). Right after eating, we were exhausted and ready to call it a night.

We wanted to get back home really early in the morning, although I also kind of wanted to just linger in the lobby and hope that I’d see Boyz II Men. Because I heard through the grapevine that they were staying at the Hilton Concord as well! But we really did have to leave early. We stopped at a Dunkin Donuts to grab a few boxes to give to my in-laws who took care of our son while we were in Diablo Valley. Dunkin Donuts is one other reason why my husband likes it in Diablo Valley. We don’t have a DD store in the South Bay! LOL

And if you’re ever in Diablo Valley, be sure to check out the Sunvalley Shopping Center to see all the offers and sales they currently have!

Our day in Diablo Valley is one that I’ll remember probably till I get really old. And I wouldn’t hesitate spending another day or two in the side of the Bay Area that not everyone sees, but is full of life and color.