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.

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!

Eckley Pier, August 24, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, August 24, 10 am - 2 pm

Eckley Pier at Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline

Bull Valley Staging Area entrance

166 Carquinez Scenic Dr., Crockett CA 94524

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline 

Let's go back to Eckley Pier, part of the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline Park in Crockett. This location has a beautiful mix of natural shoreline, water vistas and manmade structures old and new. This is a joint paint-out with the Jade Fon Painters.

Driving tip: I have the best luck entering from the Crockett side instead of the Port Costa side, which can be very confusing. I've heard that GPS can send you on a wild goose chase, so it's helpful to study the map in advance. I'm attaching a paint-out map to help you find us.

Enter the park at the Bull Valley Staging area, then drive down to the lower parking lot where you’ll find Eckley Pier and shoreline views. Or you may prefer to park in the first parking lot at the top of the hill and paint the panoramic views of the Carquinez Strait. There’s also a good view of a classic old barn from the top level.

The website says the picnic area at Eckley Pier is temporarily closed, but the fishing pier and paved parking areas remain open. There’s a restroom at the top level and a port-a-potty at the pier. Bring your own water. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Big Break Regional Shoreline, Oakley, August 22, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, August 22, 10 am - 2 pm

Big Break Regional Shoreline

69 Big Break Rd., Oakley CA 94561

Big Break Regional Shoreline

Pop-up paint-out! We haven't been to Big Break in a while and now that the weather has cooled down (slightly) it should be nice out there. Could be breezy, though, so be prepared.

Park in the lot, then walk out the paved trail to find great views of the San Joaquin River, a kayak launching lagoon, delta marshlands, and relics of old barges and dredging equipment. I'm attaching a map to help you find us.

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

Dillon Point, Benicia, August 17, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, August 17, 10 am - 2 pm

Dillon Point, Benicia State Recreation Area

1 Rose Drive, Benicia CA 94510

Park website: California State Parks

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.)

Let's go back to scenic Dillon Point in the Benicia State Recreation Area! This spot has great views in all directions. You can see good stuff from the parking lot level, or if you pack light you may like to take the trail down to the dramatic, rocky shoreline. There's a restroom, picnic tables, and a little bit of shade at the parking lot.

There's a kiosk at the park entry where you pay your entry fee ($6 regular, $5 seniors). 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.

After you pass the entry you're on Dillon Point Road. Drive all the way to the end of the road to the Dillon Point picnic area parking lot. If the lot is full there's another lot a short distance back down the road.

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

Blake Garden, August 8, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, August 8, 10 am - 2 pm

Blake Garden

70 Rincon Rd., Kensington CA 94707

https://ced.berkeley.edu/about-ced/our-spaces/blake-garden

Let's go back to beautiful Blake Garden in Kensington!

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 map showing the many themed areas and landmarks. 

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 "Plan B" street map to help you find that second entry option.

Admission is free, restrooms are open. The park is open 8 am to 4:30 pm. Rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Turnbull Park, Benicia, August 1, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, August 1, 10 am - 2 pm

Turnbull Park

Bottom of East 5th St., Benicia CA 94510

Park website: Turnbull Park - Benicia, California

Let's paint at Turnbull Park in the Benicia Marina area. This park has panoramic views of the Carquinez Strait, including the old ferry dock with Diablo in the distance. Or if you're into boats there's the whole marina scene. The park has a small restroom building but it's not always open (the marina restrooms are not for public use). Other public restrooms are a short drive away. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Lafayette Reservoir, July 23, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Tuesday, July 23, 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 Lafayette Reservoir and paint at our favorite area around the Visitor Center!

Enter the park at 3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd. and drive up to the main parking lot. In the middle of the parking lot there are ticket machines where you can purchase a One Day Parking Permit for $7. From there turn right and drive down to the Visitor Center. It's next to the docks with all the colorful boats.

Parking at the Visitor Center is a loading zone only, but there’s a large all-day parking lot just up the hill that’s convenient. I suggest parking briefly in 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. I'm attaching a map to help you find our paint-out spot at the Visitor Center and clarify the parking situation.

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

Martinez Shoreline again, July 13, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, July 13, 10 am - 2 pm

Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park

Ferry Point area

North end of North Court Street, Martinez CA 94553

Ted and Kathy Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline | East Bay Parks (ebparks.org)

It was too windy at the Martinez Shoreline last Saturday -- let's try again! There's an area at the end of the fishing pier where you can get a little wind shelter behind the old ferry structure, so you may like to head out there if it's windy along the shoreline. That's where I'll be. I'm attaching a map to help you find the spot I'm talking about.

Plan B to evade the wind is to paint from your car. You can park around the edge of the Ferry Point parking lot, or you can park at the marina for more view options. And Plan C is to drive to Grangers' Wharf at the end of Berrellessa Street. That lot is pretty small, though, and it's often full. There is a restroom at Grangers' Wharf.

Admission is free, public restrooms are located inside the Harbor Master's building, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Martinez Shoreline, July 6, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, July 6, 10 am - 2 pm

Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park, Ferry Point Area

North end of North Court Street, Martinez CA 94553

Park website: Ted and Kathy Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline

HEADS-UP: Heat alert, possible park closure

Many parks are experiencing closures this week because of the heat. On Saturday morning you can check the status of Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park on the East Bay Regional Parks website: Ted and Kathy Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline.  I also recommend checking your weather app that morning and thinking about your own comfort. It's OK if you decide to sit this one out. There's always next time!

Let's go back to the beautiful Martinez shoreline! We'll be painting in the Ferry Point area at Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park. I'm attaching a map to help you find our location.

Park at the Ferry Point Picnic Area at the North end of North Court Street, then fan out to find your spot. It's a short walk out the trail to find panoramic views of the Carquinez Strait, marshlands, boats and bridges.

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

Dillon Point, Benicia, June 29, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, June 29, 10 am - 2 pm

Dillon Point

Benicia State Recreation Area

1 Rose Drive, Benicia CA 94510

Park website: Benicia State Recreation Area (ca.gov)

Let's go back to scenic Dillon Point in the Benicia State Recreation Area. This spot has great views in all directions, including Mt. Diablo to the south. You can see good stuff from the parking lot level, or if you pack light you may like to take the trail down to the dramatic, rocky shoreline. There's a restroom, picnic tables, and a little bit of shade at the parking lot.

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 fee of $6 per vehicle. 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. After you pass the entry you're on Dillon Point Road. Drive all the way to the end of the road to the Dillon Point picnic area parking lot. If that lot is full there's another lot a short distance back down the road.

Admission is $6 per vehicle, restrooms are open, rain cancels. Hope to see you there!