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!