Blake Garden, Kensington, August 6, 2026

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, August 6, 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, always a refreshing summer destination. Owned by UC Berkeley and maintained by students and volunteers, this forested botanical wonderland is a hidden gem.

Start by parking in the lot at 70 Rincon Rd., then walk into the garden through the pedestrian gate and head downhill to explore the many pathways and viewpoints. I'm attaching a garden map to help you get oriented.

If the parking lot happens to be full when you arrive, there's an alternate pedestrian gate to the lower level of the garden on Highgate Road and some limited street parking. (See attached map.)  Another strategy is to just drive around for a short while, then go back to the main parking lot to try again. Garden visitors come and go, and spaces do sometimes open up. 

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

Richmond Shoreline, July 31, 2026

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Friday, July 31, 10 am - 2 pm

Richmond Shoreline

Views along Dornan Drive

Dornan Dr, Richmond, CA 94801

Let's escape the summer heat and paint at this refreshing shoreline location! Just beyond the Point Richmond Tunnel you can park along Dornan Drive, then explore to find your spot. There are panoramic bay views within a few steps of the sidewalk along Dornan, or you can walk down to Keller Beach via the paved trail that starts at the corner of Dornan Drive and Western Drive. You can paint right on the beach (pay attention to incoming tides) or follow the shoreline trail for some good lookout spots, benches and picnic tables. 

If you're in the mood to explore the area you can continue south along Dornan Drive to find more scenic views at the lagoon and Ferry Point.

Admission is free, restrooms at Keller Beach, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Martinez Shoreline again, July 23, 2026

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, July 23, 10 am - 2 pm

Martinez Shoreline

North end of N. Court Street, Martinez CA 94553

The Martinez shoreline was so beautiful on July 16, let's go back! We'll be painting in the area around Ferry Point and the Martinez Marina. Park in the Ferry Point parking lot at the end of North Court Street, then fan out to find your spot. The city has built a newly expanded fishing pier with lots of great views and room to set up, or you may prefer the beach or the trail out through the marshlands.

This area can get windy at times, so be prepared. There's not much wind shelter but there are a lot of picnic tables and benches where you can hunker down.

There are restrooms in the Marina Harbor Master's building. Park restrooms are a long walk or a short drive away (see map.) Admission is free, rain cancels. I'm attaching a map to help you find us. I hope to see you there!

Martinez Shoreline, July 16, 2026

 

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, July 16, 10 am - 2 pm

Martinez Shoreline

North end of N. Court Street, Martinez CA 94553

Let's go back to the beautiful Martinez shoreline! We'll be painting in the area around Ferry Point and the Martinez Marina. Park at the Ferry Point Picnic Area at the North end of North Court Street, then fan out to find your spot. It's a short walk to views of the Carquinez Strait, beaches, boats and bridges as well as the fishing pier and old ferry landing. 

This area does get a bit windy at times, so be prepared. There's a little wind shelter out at the end of the pier behind the tall timber structures.

There are restrooms in the Marina Harbor Master's building. Park restrooms are a long walk or a short drive away (see map.) Admission is free, rain cancels. I'm attaching a map to help you find us. I hope to see you there!

Dillon Point, Benicia State Recreation Area, July 11 and 18, 2026

 

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturdays, July 11 and July 18, 10 am - 2 pm

Dillon Point, Benicia State Recreation Area

1 Rose Drive, Benicia CA 94510

Park website: Benicia State Recreation Area

For the next two Saturdays, July 11 and 18, 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 that circles around to a view of the Carquinez Bridge.

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!

Diablo view near Northgate HS, Walnut Creek, July 9, 2026

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, July 9, 10 am - 2 pm

Field across from Northgate High School

Parking Option A: street parking near Northgate HS, 425 Castle Rock Rd., Walnut Creek CA 94598

Parking Option B: street parking on Trails End Dr., Walnut Creek CA 94598

The school is on summer break, so this is a good time to paint at this group favorite spot, an open field with expansive views toward Mt. Diablo. You'll find great views all along the wide, paved trail, shown as "Trail's End Path" on the map. The gravel edge of the trail is an active equestrian path so please don't set up within that gravel area. Also, keep an eye out for poison oak and ticks in grassy areas.

Parking Option A: In front of Northgate High School you can park in the wide gravel shoulder across the street or find a spot along the curb.

Parking Option B: For access to the top end of the trail you can park on Trails End Drive. Just beyond the roundabout on Oak Grove Rd. turn left onto North Gate Rd., then right on Trails End Dr. Park near the end of the street where you'll see a pedestrian gate to the trail.

Please note -- there are no public restrooms at this location so plan ahead. Shopping centers are a short drive away. Admission is free, rain cancels. I'm attaching a map to help you find us. I hope to see you there!