West Contra Costa Cities
West Contra Costa County Cities
West Contra Costa borders along the shores of Eastern San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. This includes the cities and towns of Crockett, Rodeo, Hercules, Pinole, San Pablo, Richmond, El Sobrante, and El Cerrito.
The town of Crockett is located in northern Contra Costa county and is an oasis among the urban growth, bordered by rolling hills, the Carquinez Strait, and park lands. The town is an eclectic mixture of craftsmen to modern style homes with 3,200 residents and families. From old-timers to newcomers, Crockett is a town of families, who enjoy the spirit of small-town atmosphere, complete with Town Meetings, Town-Wide Yard-sales and Clean-ups, Barbecues, Easter Egg Hunts, bike races, fish fries, crab feeds, Bocce Leagues, Swim meets, Plant sales, Monarch Butterfly releases, Christmas dances, and numerous other well attended events.
El Cerrito is a city of numerous positive attributes-- great location, pleasant climate, stable residential neighborhoods, good transit and highway access, numerous parks and recreational facilities, and involved residents. El Cerrito is located just across the bay from San Francisco, and the hilly areas of El Cerrito provide spectacular views of its famous neighbor. El Cerrito is strategically located along Interstate 80 and is less than 30 miles from two major airports. Its extensive transportation system includes two Bay Area Rapid Transit stations.
Located on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, this 3.9-square-mile city is blessed with a pleasant climate year-round. Its residents enjoy an 80-acre tree-lined Hillside Park open-space, as well as 45 acres of Parks, 18 acres of school recreational areas, and 38 acres of other amenities. These amenities include the Ohlone Greenway, a pleasantly landscaped area which runs along the Bart right of way the length of the city and is popular with walkers, runners, and bicyclists.
One of the city`s greatest assets is its residents. El Cerrito is a well educated community, with 70 percent of the people 25 and over having attended college. Its population, estimated at 23,596, has a history of civic involvement.
Surrounded by Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole, and public park-lands, El Sobrante is a small, unincorporated semi-rural valley community of about 12,000 residents. Geographically, El Sobrante lies west of the San Pablo Reservoir parkland, and is flanked by San Pablo Ridge to the southwest and Sobrante Ridge to the northeast. San Pablo Dam Road and San Pablo Creek run side by side down the valley floor. El Sobrante Valley is part or the San Pablo watershed.
Besides, great location, pleasant climate, and minutes to highway access. One of the many amenities El Sobrante has to offer are the park trails. The most popular trail is the Clark Trail, which takes hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians to Wildcat Canyon Park, part of the East Bay Regional Park District. The trail begins at the end of Clark Road and ends when it meets San Pablo Ridge Trail, which is part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail network. This scenic ridge trail goes westward to Alvarado Park and eastward to Tilden Park, and then the trail continues southward along the East Bay Hills ridges to Castro Valley.
Hercules is located in the northern San Francisco East Bay, sandwiched between the City of Pinole and the community of Rodeo. The City is at the junction of State Highway 4 and Interstate 80 and is just south of the mouth of the Carquinez Strait. With views of rolling hills to the east and San Francisco and Marin County to the west, this is a beautiful city is which to live. The City of Hercules maintains an abundance of open space areas and trails throughout the community, providing the opportunity of spotting various types of wildlife and offering dazzling views of the bay.
Hercules with its planned diverse Transit Center: Railway Transit (Train Station), Water Transit (Ferry Station), and Bus Transit (Bus Station)- all three stations in one central location, makes Hercules not only a transit hub, but a desirable workforce hub for the Bay Area. The vision is clear- the City of Hercules is the gateway to the Bay Area.
The population of Hercules is nearly 25,000, and is a family-oriented community with diverse mix of may ethnic groups.
The City of Pinole is located in the San Francisco Bay Area, on the shores of San Pablo Bay. Interstate-80 which traverses the City, connects the San Francisco/Oakland metropolitan area with Sacramento and points East. Pinole is linked to east Contra Costa County including the cities of Martinez, Concord, and Pleasant Hill by State Route 4, which begins just north of the City and connects with Interstate-680.
The City of Pinole has a land area of more than four square miles; much of the land has gently rolling hills with steeper hills paralleling on the north and south. The climate is mild, with no extremes of temperature, rainfall or humidity.
In addition to its natural setting, the City of Pinole is known for its rich architectural heritage and historic past. Population is estimated at 19,039.
San Pablo is located off Interstate-80, minutes away from the Bay Area cultural centers of Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco. Interstate-80 is the principal arterial route between the Bay Area and Sacramento. The City of San Pablo is nestled between the cities of Pinole and Richmond and the neighboring cities of El Cerrito and Hercules. Historically one of the oldest Spanish settlements in the region, San Pablo has become a thriving residential and business community with a population of about 30,000 in an area of approximately three square miles.
San Pablo is located less than one hour away from international airports in Oakland and San Francisco. Access to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system and Amtrak passenger train service are nearby. AC Transit bus line service includes San Pablo in its route from Fremont to Pinole. Containerized Shipping, Ports, and railway access are located in Richmond and Oakland.
San Pablo`s diverse community, affordability, and access to the entire Bay Area region are advantages that are found in this "City of New Directions."
The City of Richmond is located 16 miles northeast of San Francisco, on a peninsula separating San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay. It encompasses 32 miles of shoreline and four islands. Richmond covers 56 square miles and has a population now estimated at over 100,000.
Richmond`s economy is currently undergoing a major transition from its former heavy industrial character toward more "high tech" and light industrial companies, and new business parks accommodating light industrial and "office/flex" land uses. Bio technology, in particular, has developed as an important new "niche" in Richmond`s growing economy. At the same time, the City`s major manufacturers, such as Chevron, have continued to upgrade their Richmond facilities, making major investments to modernize and expand their facilities.
Today, Richmond is a growing maritime, industrial and residential community with a thriving and changing economy, a dynamic business environment, and a strong potential for further growth.
The heart of this quaint waterfront village is its historic downtown. Built down to the water front, it once welcomed ferry boats from across the bay filled with residents who used the ferries for commuting. The ferries also served as transportation for recreational lovers who came to Rodeo for its world renowned striped bass fishing. Today, Rodeo residents are a vibrant mix of professionals, technicians, writers and small business owners who love Rodeo for its central location and its friendly small-town atmosphere. Fishing is still a favorite pastime, along with hiking, wind surfing, and baseball.
The population of Rodeo has grown to over 11,00 but the small town atmosphere that characterized Rodeo around the turn of the century still exists today. Residents are fiercely proud of their historic waterfront community and are highly involved in community activities and civic affairs. Rodeo boasts 14 different local service clubs, recreation groups, homeowners associations and advisory committees.
Rodeo is part of the eight-county San Francisco Bay Area, located along Interstate-80 connecting San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a residential community with small-town charm, great views of the bay, and gently sloping hills. Housing is less expensive than in may Bay Area locals, and a great many styles are available to choose from. Rodeo`s close proximity to Walnut Creek and Concord provides residents with access to cultural and recreational outlets, as well as restaurants and shopping.
