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, mostly focused on Contra Costa, Alameda and Solano Counties. We've recently joined forces with the Jade Fon Painters and we're following the calendar of Saturday paint-outs they've planned for the rest of this year. In addition to Saturdays we often set up mid-week paint-outs on a completely random schedule inspired by the weather, special opportunities and members' suggestions. New artists are always welcome, open to all media and all experience levels, no fee to participate, no RSVP's required. Just show up and enjoy!

To learn about upcoming paint-outs:

• Visit this website, Contra Costa Plein Air
• Visit our Facebook group page @contracostapleinair
• Receive paint-out announcements via email by joining our contacts list. Email Nancy Roberts, nrobertsart@sbcglobal.net to be added to the list.

If you have questions feel free to email group coordinator Nancy Roberts at nrobertsart@sbcglobal.net. We look forward to painting with you sometime soon!

And here's something cool! 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 Park, Livermore, October 4, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturday, October 4, 10 am - 2 pm

Sycamore Grove Park

Plan A: 1051 Wetmore Road, Livermore CA 94550

Plan B: Arroyo Road Entrance, 5049 Arroyo Road

Website: https://www.larpd.org/sycamore-grove-park

Let's go back to beautiful Sycamore Grove Park! We'll be parking at the Wetmore Road entrance at 1051 Wetmore Road. If the Wetmore lot happens to be full when you get there you can head up to the other park entrance at 5049 Arroyo Road. 

Starting from the Wetmore parking lot you have a couple of choices: To the left, the Sycamore Trail has views of vineyards and the hills beyond. To the right, the Arroyo Del Valle Regional Trail passes through groves of sycamores and oaks out to open grassland and more vineyard views.

There's a $5 parking fee at both park entrances (Wetmore and Arroyo), restrooms are open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Howe Homestead Park, Walnut Creek, September 20 & 27, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air paint-out

Saturdays, September 20 & 27, 10 am - 2 pm

Howe Homestead Park

2950 Walnut Blvd, Walnut Creek CA 94596

Website: Howe Homestead Park | Parks | Walnut Creek Arts + Rec

The last two Saturdays this month -- September 20th and 27th -- we'll be painting at beautiful Howe Homestead Park in Walnut Creek. It's a picturesque historic ranch and community garden in a peaceful country setting. A group favorite!

Admission is free, the restroom is open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Update about East Bay Regional Parks paint-outs

Hi plein air friends,

Just wanted to share an update about something new: From now on, when we're planning a paint-out at any East Bay Regional Park I'll be inviting you via personal email rather than posting the details here or on Facebook. We'll just gather as a small group of friends. (That's how it's always been, anyway!)

For destinations that are not East Bay Regional Parks I'll continue posting paint-out details here as well as in our Facebook group, plus I'll send emails.

Many of you are already on my email contacts list for paint-out announcements, but if you're not and would like to be added feel free to email me, Nancy Roberts, at nrobertsart@sbcglobal.net

I look forward to painting with you sometime soon!

Nancy

Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline, Richmond, August 30, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturday, August 30, 10 am - 2 pm

Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline

900 Dornan Dr., Richmond CA 94801

Park website: Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline | East Bay Parks

Let's paint at this beautiful park along the San Francisco Bay! I'd like to gather at the south end of the park at the Ferry Point area for views of the historic ferry terminal and fishing pier. I'm calling this "Plan A" on the attached paint-out map. There's a parking lot at the south end of Dornan Drive with a restroom and paved trails out to the shoreline.

Or some of you may prefer to paint at Keller Beach at the north end of the park. I'm calling this "Plan B" on the paint-out map. You'll find parking along Dornan Drive and trails down to the beach. This area has picnic tables and a restroom. 

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

Lafayette Reservoir, August 16 & 23, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturdays, August 16 & 23, 10 am - 2 pm

Lafayette Reservoir

3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette CA 94549

Park website: Lafayette Reservoir :: East Bay Municipal Utility District

For the next two Saturdays, August 16 and 23, we'll be painting at the Lafayette Reservoir. Our group usually paints at the area next to the Visitors' Center, but you may prefer to paint the views from the main parking lot area (easier getting your stuff to and from your car).

To get to the Visitors' Center drive down the narrow road at the right side of the main parking lot. Parking at the Visitors' Center is a loading zone only, so you can park briefly to drop off your gear, then park your car in the parking lot that's above the Visitors' Center.

The park entrance is at 3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Parking permits are required, $7 for a One Day Permit. There are permit vending machines in the parking lot, but if those are broken you can also buy a parking permit at the Visitors' Center.

I'm attaching a map to help you get oriented. Day use fee is $7, restrooms are open, rain cancels.

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline Park, August 7, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, August 7, 10 am - 2 pm

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline Park

Bull Valley Staging Area entrance

166 Carquinez Scenic Dr., Crockett CA 94525

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline | East Bay Parks

Let's go back to beautiful Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline Park in Crockett. This location has a mix of natural shoreline, water vistas and manmade structures old and new.

Enter the park at the Bull Valley Staging area, 166 Carquinez Scenic Drive, Crockett. At the upper level parking lot there are panoramic views of the Carquinez Strait as well as a classic hillside ranch and barn. Or you can drive down and park at the lower level where you’ll find Eckley Pier, great views of the Carquinez Bridge, ruins of an old steamboat and a quiet little beach.

There’s a restroom at the upper level and a port-a-potty at the pier. Bring your own water. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there! I'm attaching a map to help you find our spot.

Alvarez 9th Street Park, Benicia, July 26 & August 2, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturdays, July 26 and August 2, 10 am - 2 pm

Alvarez Ninth Street Park

Foot of West 9th Street, Benicia CA 94510

Park website: Alvarez 9th Street Park - Benicia, California

The next two Saturdays, July 26 and August 2, 10 am - 2 pm, we'll be painting at Alvarez Ninth Street Park in Benicia. There's a big parking lot and a public restroom at the foot of West 9th Street. From there it's a short walk out to great views in all directions.

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

Glen Cove Waterfront again -- blooming agaves! July 31, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, July 31, 10 am - 2 pm

Glen Cove Waterfront Park

End of Whitesides Drive, Vallejo CA 94591

Park website: Glen Cove Waterfront Park

The blooming agaves at Glen Cove are really quite extraordinary right now! Let's go back and paint them before they're gone (agaves bloom only once, then die).

Glen Cove Waterfront Park is at the end of Whitesides Drive in Vallejo. Park in the small lot or on the street. From the parking lot take the first trail on the left down to the lower level to find spectacular views of the agaves, the beach and the Carquinez Strait.

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!

East Contra Costa Historical Museum, Sunday, July 20, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, July 20, 10 am - 2 pm

East Contra Costa Historical Museum

3890 Sellers Ave., Brentwood CA 94513

Museum website: Home - East Contra Costa Historical Society

Pop-up paint-out! Let's take advantage of the East Contra Costa Historical Museum's special "Third Sunday" public hours this Sunday, July 20th, 10 am - 2 pm. You're also allowed to go earlier if you like and paint in the front yard area. Volunteers open the museum, outdoor exhibits and restrooms at 10 am.

Admission is free, restrooms are open. Always a fun and interesting destination -- hope to see you there!

Glen Cove Waterfront Park, July 17, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, July 17, 10 am - 2 pm

Glen Cove Waterfront Park

End of Whitesides Dr., Vallejo CA 94591

Park website: Glen Cove Waterfront Park

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!

Blake Garden, Kensington, July 10, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Thursday, July 10, 10 am - 2 pm

Blake Garden

70 Rincon Rd., Kensington CA 94707

Website: Blake Garden - UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design

Let's go back to beautiful Blake Garden in Kensington! Owned by UC Berkeley, this forested botanical wonderland is open to the public on weekdays only (Tuesday - Friday, 9 am - 4 pm).

PLAN A: Park in the lot at 70 Rincon Rd., then walk into the garden through the pedestrian gate and start exploring. It’s a gently sloping hillside terrain with gravel pathways. I'm attaching a garden map here.

PLAN B: If the parking lot at Rincon Rd. is full you can drive around to Highgate Rd., park on the street and enter Blake Garden through the pedestrian gate that's across the street from 26 Highgate Rd., Kensington. The gate is well-marked. I'm attaching a street map here to help you find the spot.

Admission is free, restrooms are open. Rain cancels. Hope to see you there!

Dillon Point, Benicia State Recreation Area, June 28 & July 5, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturdays, June 28 and July 5, 10 am - 2 pm

Benicia State Recreation Area

1 Rose Drive, Benicia CA 94510

Park website: Benicia State Recreation Area

For the next two Saturdays, June 28 and July 5, we'll be painting at Dillon Point in the Benicia State Recreation Area. After entering the park drive all the way to the end of Dillon Point Road. There's a small parking lot with a restroom at the top level and a larger parking a short distance downhill. Both parking lots have picnic tables, benches and great views. Or if you pack light you may like to take the trail down to the dramatic, rocky shoreline.

Directions: From northbound Hwy 780 take the Columbus Parkway exit, turn left at Rose Drive to loop back over the freeway, then turn right at the signs for the State Park. For your GPS use the address 1 Rose Drive. (The park brochure says 1 State Park Rd., but some GPS's don't recognize that address.)

There's a kiosk at the park entry where you pay your entry fee. Sometimes the kiosk is staffed, but if not, just beyond it you'll see a supply of envelopes for your money and a slot. Be sure to bring small bills or a check because with the envelope system there's no way to get change.

Park entry fee is $6 per vehicle, $5 for seniors. Restrooms are open, rain cancels. Hope to see you there!