On a sunny Saturday afternoon at Headlands Brewing, the picnic benches are bustling—not just with craft beer fans but with dads, toddlers, and strollers in tow. It’s the latest gathering of the Walnut Creek Reddit Dads Meetup, a growing group of local fathers carving out a few hours for connection, camaraderie, and a reminder that they’re not alone in the chaos of parenthood.
What started as a casual post on the r/walnutcreek subreddit has bloomed into a bi-weekly ritual for a rotating cast of 20–30 dads, organized by Walnut Creek resident Dave Bullock. As Principal Software Engineer at Apple and father of two under two, Dave launched the first meetup with the goal of creating space for fathers who, like him, were adjusting to new rhythms of life and craving community.
The original post had a lot of traction, Dave recalls, “There are tons of mom groups, which are awesome, but I realized there wasn't really anything just for dads. This felt like a gap we could fill.”
Though it began with coffee and casual chats at the Walnut Creek Farmers Market, the group quickly evolved, experimenting with meetups at local playgrounds (where chasing kids left little time to actually talk), barbecue joints, and breweries like Sauced and Headlands. The vibe is intentionally low-pressure. Some dads bring their kids, others show up solo. There’s no agenda—just a shared understanding that this parenting journey is better navigated together.
For Christopher Kauffman, a newer member and a social worker by training, the group arrived at just the right time. “My education and work have taught me the significance of social and emotional support for general well-being,” he explains. “I had a great social circle during college, but hadn’t found as many like-minded people in the Bay Area—until now.”
Christopher says that while technology can deepen isolation, it also has the potential to connect. “It was exciting to find a space where I could share my new parenting experiences with others who get it,” he says. “I’m tremendously appreciative of the experienced and first-time parents in my life. And it’s genuinely inspiring to see the new generation of dads showing up—not just physically, but emotionally.”
That emotional presence is part of what makes this group feel different. “I love that I can be part of a society where it’s not only acceptable but encouraged for dads to be vulnerable with each other, ask for guidance, and offer emotional support,” Christopher says. “The future generation of children will benefit greatly from this shift.”
Brett Biba echoes that sentiment. After several years as a stay-at-home dad, Brett recently returned to work as a Senior Quality Assurance Engineer. The group, he says, offers “a reminder that I’m not alone.” While his kids occasionally tag along, he values the flexibility and freedom to just show up and be real. “It’s more about support and connection than anything formal.”
That low-pressure ethos—no rigid schedule, no RSVP culture—has helped foster something rare and deeply needed. Whether it’s a mountain biking trip, a playground hang, or an impromptu beer-and-babies afternoon, the group continues to evolve, shaped by the needs and energy of its members.
And while the group may be called the Reddit Dads Meetup, it’s far from exclusive. “We’re inclusive—moms are welcome too,” Dave says. “The idea was just to create something for dads because that wasn’t really out there, but we’re open to everyone.”
What unites this group isn’t just the shared experience of parenthood, but a shared desire to build community from the ground up—something all the dads, whether new or seasoned, speak to with quiet pride.
As the afternoon at Headlands wears on, laughter echoes across the patio. A dad helps his toddler navigate a bag of snacks while another cradles a newborn. Conversations drift from daycare logistics to emotional labor to whether or not it’s too early for a second round.
In a world that rarely pauses for fathers to check in on themselves—or each other—the Walnut Creek Reddit Dads Meetup offers something increasingly rare: connection without pressure, friendship without pretense, and a few hours where showing up is enough.
And sometimes, that’s exactly what a dad needs