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 usually paint on weekdays (often Thursdays) on a completely random schedule inspired by the weather 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.

Rodgers Ranch again, October 30, 2026

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Friday, October 30, 10 am - 2 pm

Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center

315 Cortsen Rd., Pleasant Hill CA 94526

Park website: Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center

Rodgers Ranch was so beautiful last week, let's go back! This quiet neighborhood park is tucked into a wooded hillside with terraced gardens full of colorful flowers, fruits and nuts, vegetables, herbs and succulents surrounding the charming 19th century farmhouse. Lots of pathways and nooks to explore and set up in, benches and picnic tables. We're even allowed to sit on the porch of the farmhouse and sketch. A docent will be on hand to give tours inside the house if you're interested.

Parking is on the street, the restroom will be open, admission is free but donations are appreciated, rain cancels. Should be a delightful day -- hope to see you there! 

Diablo View at Northgate HS, Walnut Creek, October 31, 2026

Jade Fon Saturday Painters and Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, October 31, 10 am - 2 pm

Diablo view across from Northgate High School

425 Castle Rock Rd., Walnut Creek CA 94598

Let's go back to the scenic open space across the street from Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. There’s a great view of Diablo with foothills, woods and grasslands, and this time of year we may spot some glimpses of fall color.

We’ll be painting along Trails End Path, a wide, paved trail that borders the meadow. The gravel edge is a bridle path so please keep that area clear for horses. Also, keep an eye out for poison oak and ticks in grassy areas.

Parking is along the street on Castle Rock Road. There’s a gravel parking area next to the trail entrance, or you can park along the curb nearby. If you can’t find a spot in that area there’s more parking available on Trails End Drive (off of North Gate Road) with access to the far end of the trail. I’m attaching a map to help you get oriented.

Please note -- there are no public restrooms at this location but shopping centers are a short drive away. Admission is free, rain cancels. 

Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center, Pleasant Hill, October 22, 2026

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, October 22, 10 am - 2 pm

Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center

315 Cortsen Rd., Pleasant Hill CA 94526

Park website: Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center

Let's enjoy some fall harvest color at this charming historic farmhouse! The wooded hillside grounds are home to abundant gardens, peaceful pathways, benches and picnic tables. A docent will be on hand to give tours inside the house for those who are interested. 

Park in the small lot or on the street, the bathroom will be open, admission is free but donations are appreciated, rain cancels. Should be a delightful day -- hope to see you there!

East Contra Costa Historical Museum, Brentwood, October 18, 2026

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, October 18, 10 am - 2 pm

East Contra Costa Historical Museum

3890 Sellers Ave., Brentwood CA

Museum website: Home - East Contra Costa Historical Society

Let's go back to this beautiful setting in the middle of Brentwood farm country. We'll be painting at the East Contra Costa Historical Museum on Sunday, October 18th during regular public hours, 10 am - 2 pm. You're also allowed to arrive earlier if you'd like to set up in the grassy front yard or the rose garden.

Volunteers open the house, outdoor exhibits and restrooms at 10 am.  There's a main parking lot as well as an overflow parking area, admission is free (donations appreciated).  Always a fun day -- I hope to see you there!

Pioneer Cemetery, Antioch, October 15, 2026

Our casual group of local artists will meet to paint views of this historic pioneer cemetery located within a regional park in the hills south of Antioch on Thursday, October 15, 10 am - 2 pm. Artists on our plein air mailing list will receive an email with the details. If you'd like to be added to the list feel free to contact coordinator Nancy Roberts at nrobertsart@sbcglobal.net.

Admission to the park is usually free on weekdays, restrooms are open, rain cancels. Always a beautiful, inspiring destination -- hope to see you there!

Diablo View, Clayton, October 1, 2026

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, October 1, 10 am - 2 pm

Diablo view from Clayton

Mountaire Parkway, Clayton CA 94517

Let's go back to this awesome Diablo view in Clayton! Our spot is the far southern end of Mountaire Parkway (just past Mt. Trinity Ct.,) where you'll find panoramic views of Diablo's northern peaks and slopes. Park on the street, then explore a little to find your spot. Views are good from street level, or you can venture down the trail that heads into Mt. Diablo State Park. 

Note that there are no restrooms at this location, but shopping centers are a short drive away. Admission is free, rain cancels. A beautiful spot -- hope to see you there!

Balfour-Guthrie Park, Brentwood, September 17, 2026

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, September 17, 10 am - 2 pm

Balfour-Guthrie Park

1701 Balfour Rd., Brentwood CA 94513

This is a new spot for our group, a park on the outskirts of Brentwood with a panoramic view of Diablo and the eastern foothills. There's a large grassy field and a lot of trees for setting up in the shade, picnic tables, restrooms and plenty of parking. The park is right next to some great little shops and eateries, too.

Be aware that Heritage High School is nearby and traffic is heavily impacted in the early morning and mid-afternoon (bell hours are 8:30 am to 3:20 pm.) We should be fine if we start around 10 am and clear out no later than 2:30 pm.

Admission is free, restrooms are open, rain cancels. A super location -- hope to see you there!

Scenic Lake, Livermore, September 19 & 26, 2026

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturdays, September 19 and 26, 10 am - 2 pm

Scenic lake, Livermore CA

Let's paint at our favorite lake in the wooded hills south of Livermore! If you're on our mailing list you'll receive an email with all of the details. If you'd like to be added to the list feel free to contact Nancy Roberts at nrobertsart@sbcglobal.net.

Diablo View, Clayton, September 3, 2026

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, September 3, 10 am - 2 pm

Diablo view from Clayton

Mountaire Parkway, Clayton CA 94517

Our spot is the far southern end of Mountaire Parkway (just past Mt. Trinity Ct.,) where you'll find panoramic views of the north side of Diablo. Park on the street, then explore a little to find your spot. Views are good from street level, or you can venture down the trail that heads into Mt. Diablo State Park. 

Note that there are no restrooms at this location, but shopping centers are a short drive away. Admission is free, rain cancels. A beautiful spot -- hope to see you there!

Crockett Shoreline, August 22 and 29, 2026

The last two Saturdays of this month, August 22 and 29, 10 am - 2 pm, we'll be painting at this scenic shoreline park just outside of Crockett, a group favorite. If you're on our mailing list you'll receive an email with all of the details. If you'd like to be added to the list feel free to contact Nancy Roberts at nrobertsart@sbcglobal.net.  Always a super location -- hope to see you there!

Richmond Shoreline and Scenic Beach, August 15, 2026

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturday, August 15, 10 am - 2 pm

Richmond Shoreline and Beach

Dornan Dr, Richmond, CA 94801

This destination was so fabulous a couple of weeks ago -- let's go back! 

Just beyond the Point Richmond Tunnel you can park along Dornan Drive, then explore to find your spot. There are panoramic bay views within a few steps of the sidewalk along Dornan, or you can walk down to Keller Beach via the paved trail that starts at the corner of Dornan Drive and Western Drive (see the attached paint-out map.)

You can paint right on the beach (pay attention to incoming tides) or follow the shoreline trail for some good lookout spots, benches and picnic tables. 

If you're in the mood to explore the area you can continue south along Dornan Drive to find more scenic views at the swim lagoon and historic Ferry Point.

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

Blake Garden, Kensington, August 6, 2026

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, August 6, 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, always a refreshing summer destination. Owned by UC Berkeley and maintained by students and volunteers, this forested botanical wonderland is a hidden gem.

Start by parking in the lot at 70 Rincon Rd., then walk into the garden through the pedestrian gate and head downhill to explore the many pathways and viewpoints. I'm attaching a garden map to help you get oriented.

If the parking lot happens to be full when you arrive, there's an alternate pedestrian gate to the lower level of the garden on Highgate Road and some limited street parking. (See attached map.)  Another strategy is to just drive around for a short while, then go back to the main parking lot to try again. Garden visitors come and go, and spaces do sometimes open up. 

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