Alvarez 9th Street Park, Benicia, July 26 & August 2, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturdays, July 26 and August 2, 10 am - 2 pm

Alvarez Ninth Street Park

Foot of West 9th Street, Benicia CA 94510

Park website: Alvarez 9th Street Park - Benicia, California

The next two Saturdays, July 26 and August 2, 10 am - 2 pm, we'll be painting at Alvarez Ninth Street Park in Benicia. There's a big parking lot and a public restroom at the foot of West 9th Street. From there it's a short walk out to great views in all directions.

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

Glen Cove Waterfront again -- blooming agaves! July 31, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, July 31, 10 am - 2 pm

Glen Cove Waterfront Park

End of Whitesides Drive, Vallejo CA 94591

Park website: Glen Cove Waterfront Park

The blooming agaves at Glen Cove are really quite extraordinary right now! Let's go back and paint them before they're gone (agaves bloom only once, then die).

Glen Cove Waterfront Park is at the end of Whitesides Drive in Vallejo. Park in the small lot or on the street. From the parking lot take the first trail on the left down to the lower level to find spectacular views of the agaves, the beach and the Carquinez Strait.

Please note that there are no restrooms at this park, but there are public restrooms a short drive up the hill at Glen Cove School Park next to the tennis courts at 605 Glen Cove Parkway or you can drive further up Glen Cove Parkway to the Safeway shopping center.

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

East Contra Costa Historical Museum, Sunday, July 20, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, July 20, 10 am - 2 pm

East Contra Costa Historical Museum

3890 Sellers Ave., Brentwood CA 94513

Museum website: Home - East Contra Costa Historical Society

Pop-up paint-out! Let's take advantage of the East Contra Costa Historical Museum's special "Third Sunday" public hours this Sunday, July 20th, 10 am - 2 pm. You're also allowed to go earlier if you like and paint in the front yard area. Volunteers open the museum, outdoor exhibits and restrooms at 10 am.

Admission is free, restrooms are open. Always a fun and interesting destination -- hope to see you there!

Glen Cove Waterfront Park, July 17, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, July 17, 10 am - 2 pm

Glen Cove Waterfront Park

End of Whitesides Dr., Vallejo CA 94591

Park website: Glen Cove Waterfront Park

Let's go back to scenic and refreshing Glen Cove Waterfront Park! This spot has great views of the Glen Cove shoreline and a sweeping panorama across the Carquinez Strait. Windy weather is always possible at this shoreline area, so be prepared.

The park is at the end of Whitesides Drive in Vallejo. Park in the small lot or on the street. From there you can walk straight ahead out to the lookout area or turn left to take the trail down to the pretty little beach and agave grove.

Please note that there are no restrooms at this park, but there are public restrooms a short drive up the hill at Glen Cove School Park next to the tennis courts at 605 Glen Cove Parkway or you can drive further up Glen Cove Parkway to the Safeway shopping center.

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

Blake Garden, Kensington, July 10, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Thursday, July 10, 10 am - 2 pm

Blake Garden

70 Rincon Rd., Kensington CA 94707

Website: Blake Garden - UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design

Let's go back to beautiful Blake Garden in Kensington! Owned by UC Berkeley, this forested botanical wonderland is open to the public on weekdays only (Tuesday - Friday, 9 am - 4 pm).

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 garden map here.

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 street map here to help you find the spot.

Admission is free, restrooms are open. Rain cancels. Hope to see you there!

Dillon Point, Benicia State Recreation Area, June 28 & July 5, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturdays, June 28 and July 5, 10 am - 2 pm

Benicia State Recreation Area

1 Rose Drive, Benicia CA 94510

Park website: Benicia State Recreation Area

For the next two Saturdays, June 28 and July 5, we'll be painting at Dillon Point in the Benicia State Recreation Area. After entering the park drive all the way to the end of Dillon Point Road. There's a small parking lot with a restroom at the top level and a larger parking a short distance downhill. Both parking lots have picnic tables, benches and great views. Or if you pack light you may like to take the trail down to the dramatic, rocky shoreline.

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 entry fee. 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.

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