Contra Costa County

Enjoy Nature, Close to the City

Nature, Hiking, Museums, Shopping

Contra Costa County was one of the original 27 counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood. The county was originally to be called Mt. Diablo County, but the name was changed prior to incorporation as a county. The county’s Spanish language name means opposite coast, because of its location opposite San Francisco, in an easterly direction, on San Francisco Bay.

Contra Costa County’s physical geography is dominated by the bayside alluvial plain, the Oakland Hills–Berkeley Hills, several inland valleys, and Mount Diablo, an isolated 3,849-foot (1,173 m) upthrust peak at the north end of the Diablo Range of hills. The summit of Mount Diablo is the origin of the Mount Diablo Meridian and Base Line, on which the surveys of much of California and western Nevada are based.

The most notable natural landmark in the county is 3,849 feet (1,173 m) Mount Diablo, at the northerly end of the Diablo Range. Mount Diablo and its neighboring North Peak are the centerpiece of Mt. Diablo State Park (MDSP), created legislatively in 1921 and rededicated in 1931 after land acquisitions had been completed. At the time this comprised a very small portion of the mountain.

Contra Costa County Cities include: Alamo, Antioch, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, Diablo, Discovery Bay, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pinole, Pittsburgh, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, San Pablo, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

Mount Diablo, rising 3,849 feet at the northern end of the Diablo Range. It is the centerpiece of Mt.
Diablo State Park Broadway Plaza Located in Walnut Creek, California, Broadway Plaza is an open-air shopping center.
Lindsay Wildlife Experience Another wonderful site in Walnut Creek, the Lindsay Wildlife Experience offers a peek at different wildlife creatures.
Hannah Nicole Vineyards Looking to enjoy the weekend with good company and great-tasting wine? The Hannah Nicole Vineyards are located in Brentwood, CA
The Bedford Gallery Another Walnut Creek gem! The Bedford Gallery provides the public the opportunity to enjoy historic, modern, and contemporary artists.
Lafayette Reservoir Located in Contra Costa County, conveniently located off Highway 24 only one mile from the Lafayette BART station. The Lafayette Reservoir has a beautiful body of water that is open for visitors all year round.