Welcome to Contra Costa Plein Air

                    

Contra Costa Plein Air is a friendly group of artists who get together to paint at scenic locations all around the Bay Area and beyond. Our paint-out schedule is random, usually weekdays, with dates and locations inspired by the weather and members' suggestions. New artists are always welcome! There is no fee to participate.

Upcoming paint-outs will be posted here on this blog. You can also visit Contra Costa Plein Air on Facebook to see upcoming paint-out events as well as photos of past paint-outs and helpful posts from members about plein air opportunities and topics of interest.

If you'd like to receive paint-out announcements by email contact Nancy Roberts, nancyrobertsstudio@gmail.com, to join the group. We look forward to painting with you sometime soon!

Now you can order all kinds of fun and functional products sporting the Contra Costa Plein Air logo.  Click here to browse the collection.

Sycamore Grove again, Nov 13, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Wednesday, November 13, 10 am - 2 pm

Sycamore Grove Park

1051 Wetmore Rd., Livermore CA 94550

Sycamore Grove Park - Livermore Area Recreation and Park District

Sycamore Grove is so beautiful right now, let's go back! Park in the lot at 1051 Wetmore Road and pay for your $5 parking permit, then fan out to find your spot. I suggest taking the trail that heads to the right leading toward the pedestrian bridge and creek, sycamores, vineyards and hills.

Parking is $5 per vehicle, restrooms are open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Sycamore Grove, November 7, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, November 7, 10 am - 2 pm

Sycamore Grove Park

1051 Wetmore Rd., Livermore CA 94550

Sycamore Grove Park - Livermore Area Recreation and Park District

Let's go back to beautiful Sycamore Grove! Park in the lot at 1051 Wetmore Road and pay for your $5 parking permit, then fan out to find your spot. The trail on the left runs alongside a vineyard. The trail that heads out to the right crosses a footbridge with pretty creek views (it's full of water right now) or keep walking for close-ups of some magnificent sycamores and distant views of vineyards, hills and ranches. Fall color is just starting to make an appearance.

Parking is $5 per vehicle, restrooms are open, rain cancels. There are signs warning about ticks, so long pants and insect repellant are recommended. I hope to see you there!

Hagemann Ranch, Sunday, November 3, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, November 3, 2024, 10 am - 2 pm

Hagemann Ranch

455 Olivina Ave., Livermore CA 94551

Livermore Heritage Guild - Hagemann Ranch (lhg.org)

Let's go back to the historic Hagemann Ranch in Livermore! Please note that this is a special, Sunday paint-out. The Livermore Heritage Guild is hosting this artists' day especially for us so there will be plenty of space for us to spread out and paint, sketch and photograph.

The entrance for Hagemann Ranch has a sign and large address numerals 455 on the fence. (Note that our destination is not Hagemann Park, the adjacent community park.) At that entrance, drive through the gate to park on-site, or if the lot is full you can park on Olivina Avenue. There is usually a volunteer on hand to greet us, but checking in is not required. Just walk around to explore and find your spot. The gardens, buildings and displays will be open. There are some shady areas and benches. Bring your own water.

Admission is free but donations are appreciated. The restroom is open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Lake Del Valle, October 24, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, October 24, 10 am - 2 pm

Lake Del Valle

Del Valle Regional Park

7000 Del Valle Road, Livermore, CA 94550

https://www.ebparks.org/parks/del-valle 

Let's go back to beautiful Lake Del Valle! We'll be painting on the East side of the lake at the Arroyo Mocho/Fiesta Grande picnic area. I'm attaching a map here to help you find our spot. Unfortunately there's no cell reception in the park (no kidding!) so we can't find each other by phone or GPS.

After you pay your fee at the entry gate make an immediate right turn, then turn left at the signs for Arroyo Mocho and Fiesta Grande and park in the large lot. You'll find great views all along the shoreline in that area.

Entry fee is $6 per vehicle. No cell service but there are pay phones located at all restrooms and at the Marina Store. Rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Rose Hill Cemetery at Black Diamond Mines, October 17, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, October 17, 10 am - 2 pm

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

5175 Somersville Road, Antioch CA 94509

Park website: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/black-diamond 

Brochure about Rose Hill Cemetery:  Rose Hill Cemetery Brochure_English_2022-9-6_1-2.eps (ebparks.org)

Historic Rose Hill Cemetery is just uphill from the old mines at Black Diamond, with graves dating back to the 1800's. You can get a good, distant view within a few steps of the parking lot, or if you're ambitious and pack light you may like to hike all the way up to the cemetery. It's a fairly strenuous hike so be prepared. Most of us stay at the lower level. 

After you pass through the park entry gate drive all the way up to the parking lot at the top level. There's a restroom and water, not much shade. Admission is usually free on weekdays ($5 on weekends and holidays). I hope to see you there!

Glen Cove Waterfront Park, October 10, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, October 10, 10 am - 2 pm

Glen Cove Waterfront Park

End of Whitesides Drive, Vallejo CA 94591

Park website: https://solanoopenspace.org/OtherOutdoor_GlenCovePark.asp

Let's go back to scenic and refreshing Glen Cove Waterfront Park! This spot has great views of the Glen Cove shoreline and a sweeping panorama across the Carquinez Strait. Windy weather is always possible at this shoreline area, so be prepared.

The park is at the end of Whitesides Drive in Vallejo. Park in the small lot or on the street. From there you can walk straight ahead out to the lookout area or turn left to take the trail down to the pretty little beach and agave grove.

Please note that there are no restrooms at this park, but there are public restrooms a short drive up the hill at Glen Cove School Park next to the tennis courts at 605 Glen Cove Parkway or you can drive further up Glen Cove Parkway to the Safeway shopping center. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Matthew Turner Shipyard Park, Benicia, October 3, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, October 3, 10 am - 2 pm

Matthew Turner Shipyard Park

Bottom of West 12th Street, Benicia CA 94510

Matthew Turner Park - Benicia, California

Let's go back to scenic Matthew Turner Shipyard Park! This spot has panoramic water views framed by rocky shoreline bluffs, marshy beaches and remnants of old fishing piers. You'll find great views within steps of the parking lot at the end of West 12th Street. If the parking lot is full you can park on nearby West K Street.

Note that this area is often breezy, so be prepared. The park has a port-a-potty (very basic) and public restrooms are a short drive away at Alvarez Ninth Street Park. Admission is free, rain cancels. Hope to see you there!

East Contra Costa Historical Museum, September 28, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, September 28, 10 am - 2 pm

East Contra Costa Historical Museum

3890 Sellers Ave., Brentwood CA 94513

Home - East Contra Costa Historical Society

Pop-up paint-out! This Saturday we'll be painting at the beautiful East Contra Costa Historical Museum in Brentwood. Nice to be invited back! We'll be painting during the museum's regular Saturday open hours, 10 am - 2 pm, but you can also go earlier if you like and set up in the front yard for views of the historic house, windmill and rose garden. The gate to the outdoor exhibits opens at 10 am. All kinds of cool stuff to sketch and paint!

Admission is free but donations are appreciated, restrooms are open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Lafayette Reservoir, September 26, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, September 26, 10 am - 2 pm

Lafayette Reservoir

3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette CA 94549

Lafayette Reservoir :: East Bay Municipal Utility District (ebmud.com)

Let's go back to the beautiful Lafayette Reservoir!

Enter the park at the main entrance at 3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd. and drive up to the main parking lot. In the middle of the parking lot there’s a ticket machine where you’ll need to purchase a One Day Parking Permit for $7. The machine takes cash or cards. (Note that if the ticket machines happen to be broken you can buy a parking permit at the Visitor Center.)

From there turn right and drive downhill toward the Visitor Center. Parking at the Visitor Center is a loading zone only, but there’s an all-day parking lot just up the hill that’s convenient. I suggest popping into the loading zone to drop off your gear, then driving up the hill to park. From there you can walk down a series of steps to the Visitor Center area. There are also good views from the other side of the reservoir. If you’d rather paint there, you can park in the main lot and set up along the top of the dam or along the trail to the left. I'm attaching a map to help you get oriented.

Day use fee is $7, restrooms are open, rain cancels. Hope to see you there!

Howe Homestead Park, September 19, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, September 19, 10 am - 2 pm

Howe Homestead Park

2950 Walnut Boulevard, Walnut Creek CA 94596

Howe Homestead Park | Open Space | City of Walnut Creek (walnutcreekca.gov)

Let's go back to beautiful Howe Homestead Park! Kathy Brokaw will be the paint-out host, so feel free to ask her if you want tips for finding the best spots or have any plein air questions in general. 

Admission is free, the restroom is open, rain cancels. Enjoy!

aRt Cottage Gardens, September 12, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, September 12, 10 am - 2 pm

aRt Cottage

2238 Mt. Diablo St., Concord CA 94520

aRt Cottage (artscottage.blogspot.com)

Let's paint in Fro's beautiful garden! aRt Cottage owner Frogard Schmidt has invited us back to paint in the gardens, patios, pathways, nooks and crannies that surround her charming cottage art gallery. There are plenty of shady places to sit, outdoor sinks for clean-up and a restroom. It's also a good chance to see the current show.

Park on the street, then walk in through the little green gate and explore the outdoor areas front and back.  Admission is free. Should be a delightful day!

Lake Del Valle, Livermore, August 29, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, August 29, 10 am - 2 pm

Lake Del Valle

Del Valle Regional Park

7000 Del Valle Road, Livermore, CA 94550

Del Valle Regional Park

Let's go back to beautiful Lake Del Valle! We'll be painting on the East side of the lake at the Arroyo Mocho/Fiesta Grande picnic area. I'm attaching a map to help you find our spot. Unfortunately there's no cell reception in the park (no kidding!) so we can't find each other by phone or GPS.

After you pay your fee at the entry gate make an immediate right turn, then turn left at the signs for Arroyo Mocho and Fiesta Grande and park in the large lot. You'll find great views all along the shoreline in that area.

Entry fee is $6 per vehicle. No cell service but there are pay phones located at all restrooms and at the Marina Store. Rain cancels. I hope to see you there!