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 dates and locations are inspired by the weather and members' suggestions. New artists are always welcome! There is no fee to participate.

Welcome, Jade Fon Painters!  Nice news, Contra Costa Plein Air and the Jade Fon Saturday Painters are teaming up, so starting in January, 2025 we'll be having joint paint-outs on Saturdays in addition to our usual mid-week line-up. All paint-outs will be posted here to help you with your planning. 

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.

Lake Del Valle, April 17, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, April 17, 10 am - 2 pm

Lake Del Valle

Del Valle Regional Park

7000 Del Valle Road, Livermore, CA 94550

https://www.ebparks.org/parks/del-valle

Lake Del Valle is looking beautiful right now! The lake is full and the hills are green. Let's paint there this Thursday, April 17, 10 am - 2 pm, gathering at our favorite spot along the East shore.

After you pay your fee at the park entry gate make an immediate right turn, then turn left at the signs for ARROYO MOCHO and FIESTA GRANDE picnic areas and park in the large lot. I'm attaching a map to help you find our spot. Please study the directions in advance because we can't use our phones or GPS in the park to find each other (no reception.)

The park entry fee is $5 per vehicle. There's no cell reception in the park (no kidding!) but there are pay phones for emergencies located at all restrooms and at the Marina Store. Rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Eckley Pier, Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline Park, April 12 & 19, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturdays, April 12 and April 19, 10 am - 2 pm

Eckley Pier at Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline Park

Bull Valley Staging Area entrance

166 Carquinez Scenic Dr., Crockett CA 94525

https://www.ebparks.org/parks/carquinez-strait 

For the next two Saturdays, April 12 and 19, we'll be painting at 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.

Enter the park at the Bull Valley Staging area, 166 Carquinez Scenic Drive, Crockett, then drive down to the lower level where you’ll find Eckley Pier and shoreline views. Or you may prefer to park at the upper level for panoramic views of the Carquinez Strait as well as a classic hillside ranch and barn.  I'm attaching a map to help you find our spot.

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!

Town of Locke, April 5, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturday, April 5, 10 am - 2 pm

Town of Locke

Hosted by Lockeport Grill and Fountain

13959 Main St., Locke (Walnut Grove) CA 95690

Let's go back to the historic Delta town of Locke! There's plenty of great stuff to paint along Main Street, or you may prefer the adjacent residential area with houses, gardens and farm buildings. It's all a short walk from the Public Parking Lot on Locke Road. Martha Esch, artist and owner of the Lockeport Grill and Fountain will be our host and will be allowing us to use her restroom. She also sells yummy lunch items, beverages and ice cream if you'd like a treat!

The Public Parking Lot is on Locke Road, a side street off River Road at the north end of Locke, just up the road from the town of Walnut Grove. The address of the Lockeport Grill and Fountain is 13959 Main St., Locke (Walnut Grove) CA 95690.

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