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!