CANCELLED Feb 26, Oakley Orchards

CANCELLED

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, February 26

Oakley orchards, Marsh Creek Regional Trail at Delta Road

Just letting you know, I've decided to cancel our Sunday, February 26 paint-out at the Oakley orchards. It's probably going to rain that day. Darn! We'll go back to this area soon, though, because the smaller orchard along the Marsh Creek Regional Trail is coming into bloom. I'll keep an eye on the weather report and will post a new paint-out event when the time is right.

P.S. This photo is from our paint-out at this location yesterday, February 22nd. It was off-and-on sunny and cloudy and a bit nippy, but beautiful!

Paint-Out Feb 22, Oakley Orchards

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Outs

Blooming orchards in Oakley

Wednesday, February 22, 10 am - 2 pm

Marsh Creek Regional Trail at Delta Road

750 Delta Rd., Oakley CA 94561

The Oakley orchards were so beautiful yesterday -- let's go back while they're still in bloom! (Please note, I've cancelled the additional Feb 26 paint-out I originally scheduled at this location due to rain.)

We'll be painting along the Marsh Creek Regional Trail just south of where it crosses Delta Road. There's a big orchard with Marsh Creek in the foreground and Mt. Diablo beyond, and a smaller orchard right next to the trail for great close-up views. The small orchard has a mix of trees, some in bloom and some not yet.

The address you can use to find our spot is 750 Delta Rd., Oakley CA 94561. Parking is along the shoulder of Delta Road (be sure to leave the bike lane clear). Marsh Creek Regional Trail is a wide, paved trail with plenty of room to set up our easels along the sides.

Please note, there are no restrooms at this location, but shopping centers are a short drive away. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Feb 19, Oakley Orchards

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, February 19, 10 am - 2 pm

Blooming orchards in Oakley

Marsh Creek Regional Trail

750 Delta Rd., Oakley CA 94561 

The orchards are blooming in Oakley! Let's go paint them before the blossoms disappear. We'll be painting along the Marsh Creek Regional Trail just south of where it crosses Delta Road. There's a big orchard (cherries?) with Marsh Creek in the foreground, (the creek is full and looking especially pretty right now), and a smaller orchard right next to the trail for great close-up views. The small orchard has a mix of trees, some in bloom and some not yet.

The address you can use to find our spot is 750 Delta Rd., Oakley CA 94561. Parking is along the shoulder of Delta Road. Marsh Creek Regional Trail is a wide, paved trail with plenty of room to set up our easels along the sides.

Please note, there are no restrooms at this location, but there are shopping centers within a short drive.  Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Feb 15, Contra Loma

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Wednesday, February 15, 10 am - 2 pm

Contra Loma Regional Park

1200 Frederickson Lane, Antioch, CA 94509

Contra Loma Regional Park

Contra Loma is looking beautiful right now! The reservoir is full and everything is lush and green. This time we'll gather at the Loma Island picnic area to enjoy great views in all directions.

After you pay your fee at the entry kiosk, turn left, then park in the first parking lot on the right. From the parking lot turn left at the port-a-potty, then cross the footbridge with the sign for Loma Island. Don't be put off by the "Reserved" sign, this area is open to all park visitors. Circle the small island to find your spot. I'll probably be on the south shore near the footbridge. I'm attaching a map to help you find us.

Admission is $5 per vehicle, restrooms are open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Feb 12, Eckley Pier

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, February 12, 10 am - 2 pm

Eckley Pier at Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline Park

Enter at the Bull Valley Staging Area

166 Carquinez Scenic Dr., Crockett CA 94525

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline

It's SuperPaint Sunday! (OK, I just made that up.) 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.

Enter the park at the Bull Valley Staging area, then drive down to the parking lot on the lower level 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. I'm attaching a map to help you find us (click to enlarge the image).

BTW, don't be put off by the trail closures mentioned on the EBRPD website, they're not in the area where we'll be painting.

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!

Paint-Out Feb 7, Round Valley again

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Tuesday, February 7, 10 am - 2 pm

Round Valley Regional Preserve

19450 Marsh Creek Rd., Brentwood CA 94513

Round Valley Regional Preserve

Round Valley was so awesome yesterday -- let's go back! This is a great chance to see the creek full of water before the rainy season ends. The grasslands are green and the trees are still winter-bare, showing their striking structure.

You'll find good views of the creek from both sides of the pedestrian bridge. Note that some parts of the trail are a little steep and bumpy, but there are also some fairly level creek-side banks to the right of the bridge, not far from the parking lot. All quite beautiful!

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

Paint-Out Jan 31, Round Valley Regional Preserve

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Tuesday, January 31, 10 am - 2 pm

Round Valley Regional Preserve

19450 Marsh Creek Rd., Brentwood CA 94513

Round Valley Regional Preserve

Let's go back to Round Valley to enjoy Marsh Creek full of rushing water and surrounded by lush greenery. Water in the creek is so rare that I don't have a photo, but believe me, it's beautiful!

You can find nice views of the hills within steps of the parking lot, but for the best views of the creek you'll want to walk down to creek level. Just before the bridge you can veer left on a trail with a gentle slope toward the creek, or you can cross the bridge and turn left to get down to the creek. Just be aware that the slope there is steep and bumpy before it levels out, not good for heavy gear and rolling carts (this is the voice of experience!)

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

Paint-Out Jan 26, Markham Nature Park

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, January 26, 10 am - 2 pm

Markham Nature Park and Arboretum

1202 La Vista Ave., Concord CA 94521

Visit – Markham Nature Park and Arboretum (markhamarboretum.org)

Let's go back to Markham Nature Park in Concord! Galindo Creek should be full and everything looking green and lush after all the recent rain. Park in the lot at the end of La Vista Avenue, then head out on the paved trail along the creek. I'm attaching a map to help you find us.

Please note, there are NO RESTROOMS in this park, but shopping centers are a short drive away. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Jan 20, Lafayette Reservoir

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Friday, January 20, 2023, 10 am - 2 pm

Lafayette Reservoir

3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette CA 94549

Lafayette Reservoir :: East Bay Municipal Utility District (ebmud.com) 

The Lafayette Reservoir should be looking great after all this rain! The forecast for Jan 20 is mostly sunny so it should be a nice day.

Enter the park at the main entrance at 3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd. and drive up to the main parking lot. In the middle of the parking lot there’s a ticket machine where you’ll need to purchase a One Day Parking Permit for $7. The machine takes cash or cards. From there turn right and drive uphill toward the Visitor Center. Parking at the Visitor Center is a loading zone only, but there’s an all-day parking lot just up the hill that’s convenient. I suggest popping into the loading zone to drop off your gear, then driving up the hill to park. From there you can walk down a series of steps to the Visitor Center area. Do the same in reverse when you’re ready to leave. We can all help each other keep an eye on our stuff. (It's a very safe area.)

There are also great views from the other side of the reservoir. If you’d rather paint there you can just park in the main lot and head to the left. I'm attaching a map to help you find our paint-out spot at the Visitor Center.

Day use fee is $7, restrooms are open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out January 1, 2023, Diablo view at Northgate HS

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, January 1, 2023, 10 am - 2 pm

Diablo view across the street from

Northgate High School, 425 Castle Rock Rd., Walnut Creek CA 94598

Let's ring in the new year with a paint-out at one of our favorite locations, the Diablo view across the street from Northgate High School in Walnut Creek! A sunny day is predicted (a break between storms) and this is a good chance to avoid the usual high school traffic.

Park in the wide shoulder area across the street from the high school, then walk out onto the trail to find your spot. The gravel edge of the trail is an active bridle path so let’s not block it with our set-ups. It’s also a popular walking path for humans. The trail is pretty wide, though, so there’s enough room for all of us.

Please note -- there are no restrooms at this location, so plan ahead. There are shopping centers within a short drive. Admission is free. Rain cancels, but if it's just cloudy we'll go ahead and paint. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Dec 26, Diablo Foothills Orchard Staging Area

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Monday, December 26, 10 am - 2 pm

Diablo Foothills Regional Park, Orchard Staging Area

Just past Castle Rock Arabians,1350 Castle Rock Rd., Walnut Creek CA 94598

Diablo Foothills Regional Park | East Bay Parks (ebparks.org)

Let's go back to the beautiful Diablo Foothills Regional Park Orchard Staging Area. The weather will probably be cool and overcast, but chances of rain are low. This is a good chance to avoid the usual high school traffic in the area because of the holiday break.

Please note that this location IS NOT at 1700 Castle Rock Rd., the address listed for Diablo Foothills Regional Park. Our spot is a big parking lot on the right side of Castle Rock Rd. just after you pass Castle Rock Arabians at 1350 Castle Rock Rd.

The entrance has a big East Bay Regional Park sign and a driveway gate. The gate is usually closed, though, so plan to park across the street in the overflow parking lot and walk over to the main parking lot where the good views are. (Last time we got lucky and a ranger opened the driveway gate for us.) I'm attaching a map to help you find us.

The good news is that even when the gate is closed the restroom is usually open. And the even better news is that the views from this area are spectacular! Well worth the slight bit of hassle to get there. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Dec 18, Black Diamond Mines

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, December 18, 10 am - 2 pm

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

5175 Somersville Rd., Antioch, CA 94509

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

Let's go back to beautiful Black Diamond Mines! This time we'll paint in the area around the lower parking lot. You'll find beautiful views of the hills and valley as well as a picturesque old ranch. Please note, my photos are from last spring when the area was super-green. I don't think it's this green right now.

Park in the first parking lot on the left after you drive through the entry gate, then fan out to find your spot. A break in the rain is predicted but it may be a bit chilly, so dress warm. I suggest waterproof shoes, too, since the ground can be soggy in places.

Admission is usually free this time of year, but be prepared to pay a $5 fee if the entry gate kiosk is staffed. Restrooms are open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Dec 7, Sycamore Grove Park

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Wednesday, December 7, 10 am - 2 pm

Sycamore Grove Park

1051 Wetmore Road, Livermore CA 94550

Park website: https://www.larpd.org/sycamore-grove-park

Let's go back to beautiful Sycamore Grove Park! The vineyards and trees should still have some fall color and sunny weather is in the forecast.

We'll be meeting at the park's Wetmore Road entrance. There is a $5 parking fee, payable at the kiosk. The machine accepts cards or cash (small bills only).  Park in the lot, then fan out to find your spot. Most of us will probably head for the vineyard views. Restrooms are open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!