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 dates and locations are inspired by the weather and members' suggestions. New artists are always welcome! There is no fee to participate.

Welcome, Jade Fon Painters!  Nice news, Contra Costa Plein Air and the Jade Fon Saturday Painters are teaming up, so starting in January, 2025 we'll be having joint paint-outs on Saturdays in addition to our usual mid-week line-up. All paint-outs will be posted here to help you with your planning. 

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.

aRt Cottage Gardens, April 4, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Friday, April 4, 11 am - 3 pm

aRt Cottage

2238 Mt. Diablo Street Concord, CA 94520

www.artcottage.info

The wisteria is blooming at the aRt Cottage! Gallery owner and fellow artist Frogard Schmidt has invited us to come paint in the charming gardens surrounding the cottage, full of spring color and fun garden sculptures.

Park on the street then come on in through the front gate. We're welcome to explore and paint in the front, side and backyard areas. Admission is free, the bathroom will be open, rain cancels.

Town of Locke, April 5, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturday, April 5, 10 am - 2 pm

Town of Locke

Hosted by Lockeport Grill and Fountain

13959 Main St., Locke (Walnut Grove) CA 95690

Let's go back to the historic Delta town of Locke! There's plenty of great stuff to paint along Main Street, or you may prefer the adjacent residential area with houses, gardens and farm buildings. It's all a short walk from the Public Parking Lot on Locke Road. Martha Esch, artist and owner of the Lockeport Grill and Fountain will be our host and will be allowing us to use her restroom. She also sells yummy lunch items, beverages and ice cream if you'd like a treat!

The Public Parking Lot is on Locke Road, a side street off River Road at the north end of Locke, just up the road from the town of Walnut Grove. The address of the Lockeport Grill and Fountain is 13959 Main St., Locke (Walnut Grove) CA 95690.

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

Nortonville Road again, March 29, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturday, March 29, 10 am - 2 pm

Nortonville Road in Pittsburg

For GPS: 5780 Nortonville Rd Pittsburg CA 94565

Let's go back to good old Nortonville Road! Although the almond trees are past their bloom there's still plenty of fresh spring beauty with grassy green hills and wildflowers.

Enter Nortonville Road from Kirker Pass Road on the outskirts of Pittsburg. You can use 5780 Nortonville Rd., Pittsburg CA 94565 in your GPS to help you find the street (that address is one of the private residences, not our actual spot.)

Park and set up your easel along the gravel shoulder of the road. There's a big, scenic barn near the beginning of the road, or keep driving to spot more vintage ranch buildings, cows, horses, and panoramic valley views.

Heads up -- when you leave, turning left onto Kirker Pass can be scary (high speed traffic). If you need to head in the Concord direction it's easier to turn right and then find a safe way to circle back.

There are no restrooms in the area so plan ahead. Rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Forest Home Farms Historic Park, March 15 & 22, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturdays, March 15 and March 22, 10 am - 2 pm

Forest Home Farms Historic Park

19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon CA 94583

Website: About the Farm - City of San Ramon

For the next two Saturdays, March 15 and March 22, we'll be painting at Forest Home Farms Historic Park in San Ramon. This beautiful park features vintage ranch buildings, farm animals, gardens, tractors, a restored Victorian house and more, all nestled into a wooded hillside setting.

The park driveway gate opens at 10:00 am. Enter the driveway at 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., then go left and park in the bark/dirt parking area. Parking or driving is not allowed in any of the paved areas. If the dirt lot happens to be full there is more parking available just down the road at 20503 San Ramon Valley Blvd., across from the Glass House Museum (large white Victorian house.)

Restrooms are located next to the gift shop near the parking lot. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Rain cancels.

Los Vaqueros, Brentwood, March 7, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Friday, March 7, 10 am - 2 pm

Los Vaqueros Watershed and Reservoir

North entrance at 121 Walnut Blvd., Brentwood CA 94513

Website: https://www.ccwater.com/449/Los-Vaqueros-Interpretive-Center

Los Vaqueros is looking pretty and green right now (probably not for long!) We'll be parking at the Los Vaqueros Interpretive Center parking lot and painting the views from that area. You can't see the reservoir from this level but there are nice valley views and a picturesque pond within a short walk. Or if you're in good shape and pack light you may enjoy hiking up to the top of the dam for panoramic views of the reservoir. I'm attaching a map to help you find us and choose your spot.

Enter the park from the Brentwood side. The address of the entry gate kiosk is 121 Walnut Blvd., Brentwood. After you pay your entry fee drive straight ahead all the way up to the end of Walnut Blvd. to the Interpretive Center parking lot. The Interpretive Center building is closed on weekdays but there's a restroom in the parking lot that's always open.

Park entry fee per vehicle is $6 standard, $5 seniors, $4 CCWD customers. Restrooms are open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Heather Farm Park, March 1 and 8, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturdays, March 1 and March 8, 10 am - 2 pm

Heather Farm Park

Parking lot at the Community Center

301 North San Carlos Dr., Walnut Creek CA 94598

Website: Heather Farm Park

The next two Saturdays, March 1st and March 8th, we'll be painting at beautiful Heather Farm Park in the area around the two central lakes.

You can park in the lot next to the Community Center then walk a short distance for a variety of views. I'm attaching a map to show you a couple of my favorite spots. Spot "A" is a little hill with a great view of Diablo with the man-made lake in the foreground (the photo at the top of this post is from that spot). Spot "B" is another Diablo view from the shoreline of the natural lake.

The public restrooms are across the street at the sports field (not inside the community center). Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Nortonville Road, Pittsburg, February 22, 2025

 

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturday, February 22, 10 am - 2 pm

Nortonville Road in Pittsburg

for GPS use 5780 Nortonville Rd., Pittsburg CA 94565

Nortonville Road is looking beautiful right now! The almond trees are blooming and the hills are green. Let's paint there this Saturday, February 22nd, 10 am to 2 pm. Enter Nortonville Road from Kirker Pass Road on the outskirts of Pittsburg. You can use 5780 Nortonville Rd. in your GPS to help you find the street (that address is one of the residences, not our actual spot.)

Park and set up your easel along the gravel shoulder of the road. The big, scenic barn is near the beginning of the road, or drive to the end of the road for views of almonds and oaks and the little green farmhouse.

Heads up -- when you leave, turning left onto Kirker Pass can be scary (high speed traffic). If you need to head in the Concord direction it's easier to turn right and then find a safe way to circle back.

There are no restrooms in the area so plan ahead. Rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Lake Del Valle, February 20, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, February 20, 10 am - 2 pm

Lake Del Valle

Del Valle Regional Park

7000 Del Valle Road, Livermore, CA 94550

Park website: Del Valle Regional Park | East Bay Parks

Let's go back to beautiful Lake Del Valle! We'll be painting on the East side of the lake where you'll find great views of the water, shoreline and surrounding hills.

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 picnic areas and park in the large lot. I'm attaching a map to help you find our spot. Please study the directions in advance because we can't use our phones or GPS in the park to find each other (no reception.)

The park entry fee is $5 per vehicle. There's no cell reception in the park (no kidding!) but there are pay phones for emergencies located at all restrooms and at the Marina Store. Rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Round Valley Regional Preserve, February 15, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturday, February 15, 10 am - 2 pm

Round Valley Regional Preserve

19450 Marsh Creek Rd.,Brentwood CA 94513

Park website: Round Valley Regional Preserve | East Bay Parks

Let's go back to beautiful Round Valley! You can find nice views of the valley, hills and trees within steps of the parking lot, or venture a little further for views along the creek.

Admission is free, restrooms are open, rain cancels.

Dublin Heritage Park, February 8, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, February 8, 10 am - 2 pm

Dublin Heritage Park

6600 Donlon Way, Dublin CA 94568

Park website: Dublin Heritage Park & Museums | Dublin, CA - Official Website

Let's paint at beautiful Dublin Heritage Park, home to the historic Kolb House, barns and ranch buildings, a schoolhouse, church and pioneer cemetery. 

There's a parking lot on Donlon Way between the church and the schoolhouse museum, street parking on Donlon Way, and another parking lot behind the US Bank on Dublin Blvd. Restrooms are located in the center of the park near the Kolb House.

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

Black Diamond Mines, Jan 25 and Feb 1, 2025

UPDATE:  The February 1st paint-out at Black Diamond is CANCELLED due to rain

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Outs

Saturdays January 25 and February 1, 10 am - 2 pm

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

5175 Somersville Rd., Antioch, CA 94509

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve | East Bay Parks

Let's go back to beautiful Black Diamond! We'll be painting there for the next two Saturdays, January 25 and February 1. There are parking lots at the lower and upper levels and both have great views, so you may like to explore before choosing your spot.

At the lower level you'll find beautiful views of the hills and valley as well as a picturesque old ranch. Park in the first parking lot on the left after you pass the entry kiosk. There are good views within steps of the parking lot, or you can cross the road to a trail that runs next to the ranch.

At the upper level you'll find more hill views and a trail that heads up to the historic mines and Rose Hill Cemetery. Be aware that this parking lot can be more crowded on weekends because of the mine tours.

And here's an insider tip: There's another pretty ranch, the Arata Ranch, you pass as you're driving into the park on Somersville Road. It's not open to the public, but artists are allowed to park and set up their easels along the shoulder of the road. Just don't park in any clearly marked "No Parking" areas (e.g. the pull-out at the curve in the road.)

There's a $5 per vehicle park entry fee, restrooms at both levels are open, rain cancels.

Heather Farm Park, January 29, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Wednesday, January 29, 10 am - 2 pm

Heather Farm Park

Parking lot at the Community Center

301 North San Carlos Dr., Walnut Creek CA 94598

Website: Heather Farm Park | Parks | Walnut Creek Arts + Rec

Please note, this is a WEDNESDAY paint-out to take advantage of sunny weather.

Let's paint at beautiful Heather Farm Park in the area around the two lakes. You can park in the lot next to the community center then walk a short distance for a variety of views. I'm attaching a map to show you my two favorite spots. Spot "A" is a little hill with a great view of Diablo with the man-made lake in the foreground (the photo at the top of this post is from that spot). Spot "B" is another Diablo view from the shoreline of the natural lake.

The public restroom is across the street at the sports field (not inside the community center). Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!