Most people across the country have a sense of San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Most people also have an impression of Sacramento, California’s capital. San Jose is also very well known, as are Berkeley and Oakland. And most people are also familiar with the lands around Sausolito from the many movie images of the Golden Gate Bridge. Of course, everyone knows of the Napa Valley.
The county isn’t that small, with a number of significant cities and towns, including
- Walnut Creek
- Brentwood
- Richmond
- Pittsburg
- Concord
- Danville
- Antioch
Although Contra Costa is the area between better known places, many of the local residents like it that way. They don`t have the world staring through their windows, but they still have ready access to both San Francisco and Sacramento for jobs. And they are right at the foot of the Napa Valley.
If you buy a house in Contra Costa County, you’ll find the same convenience and tranquility.
Despite its relative anonymity, there are still plenty of things to do in Contra Costa County without having to trek off to San Francisco or Sacramento. Here are just a few of them.
Go roller skating. Yes, there’s a rink in San Ramon.
Splash! The Meadow Homes Spray Park has hoses and fountains and sprinklers and all the things it takes to get wet. The Rankin Aquatic center is the place to get wet in Martinez. Waterworld is the place to get wet in Concord.
Mount Diablo State Park. If hiking, photography and other “usual” state park activities aren’t enough for you, take a visit to Rock City, the Overlook or the Observation Deck. You can see all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge from some vantage points.
Shop local. There are more than a dozen farmers’ markets in Contra Costa County, including several in Walnut Creek, Concord and Martinez. Pick up the food you need in a pleasant atmosphere that almost makes you feel like a tourist.
Go for a stroll. The Martinez Regional Shoreline is perfect for leisurely strolls and picnics. In Concord, go for a stroll at the Markham Nature Park and Arboretum or along the historic Contra Costa Canal Trail. In Brentwood, the abandoned LA96C site is great for a light hike and a picnic, and there is even an observation deck that give you a view for miles. In Antioch, head over to the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, where there is a combination of history, nature and education. There are so many interesting places for a leisurely walk.
Take in a concert. There is always something going on at the Sleep train Pavilion in Concord.
Enjoy the wine. You can tour the Hannah Nicole Vineyards in Brentwood.
This list touches only a few of the highlights. In almost every town in Contra Costa County, you can find a variety of options for live entertainment, such as theatre and music. And there are plenty of restaurants for those days when you just don’t feel like cooking. And the parks abound. People who live in this area really love their parks.
And if leaving your neighborhood for a visit to the big city is what you have in mind, you are on San Francisco’s doorstep. Sacramento is almost as close. Home and away, in just one day.
So if you are thinking about becoming one of those people who call Contra Costa home, give Avrus a call. We can get you preapproved for a mortgage so that you will know exactly what you can afford to buy.