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.

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!