Grangers' Wharf, Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park, May 8, 2025

Let's paint at the beautiful Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline, fanning out from the Grangers' Wharf park entrance at 101 Berrellesa St. If that parking lot is full there's more public parking at the Norcal Courts sports complex just a few steps away (driveway off Berrellesa next to the train tracks.)

Admission is free, the restroom at the Grangers' Wharf parking lot is open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park

Grangers' Wharf park entrance

101 Berrellesa St., Martinez CA 94553

Park website: Ted and Kathy Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline | East Bay Parks

Old Borges Ranch, April 26 & May 3, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Outs

Saturdays, April 26 and May 3, 10 am - 2 pm

Old Borges Ranch

1035 Castle Rock Rd., Walnut Creek CA 94598

Website: Borges Ranch | Open Space | City of Walnut Creek

For the next two Saturdays, April 26 and May 3 we'll be painting at Old Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek. Note that the address is 1035 Castle Rock Rd., but the driveway into the park is actually Elise Court, a side street off of Castle Rock Rd. There's a sign at the turn-off but it's hard to see -- keep your eyes open!

Start by trying the main parking lot at the top of the hill. If that lot is full you can circle back and park at the Patrick Hanna Grove Picnic Area. If both lots are full you may like to skip Borges Ranch and head back down to Castle Rock Rd., turn right and continue a short distance to the Diablo Foothills Regional Park Orchard Staging Area. Another good alternate in the same area is the view across the street from Northgate High School on Castle Rock Rd. as you head back into Walnut Creek, 425 Castle Rock Rd.

Admission is free, restrooms are open, rain cancels.

East Contra Costa Historical Museum, April 20, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, April 20, 10 am - 2 pm

East Contra Costa Historical Museum

3890 Sellers Ave., Brentwood CA

https://eastcontracostahistory.org/

Here's a nice little Easter treat! We've been invited to come paint at the East Contra Costa Historical Museum on Sunday, April 20th during their regular third Sunday open hours, 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 but donations are appreciated. Always a fun day -- 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!

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!

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!

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!

Heather Farm Park, March 1 and 8, 2025

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturdays, March 1 and March 8, 10 am - 2 pm

Heather Farm Park

Parking lot at the Community Center

301 North San Carlos Dr., Walnut Creek CA 94598

Website: Heather Farm Park

The next two Saturdays, March 1st and March 8th, we'll be painting at beautiful Heather Farm Park in the area around the two central lakes.

You can park in the lot next to the Community Center then walk a short distance for a variety of views. I'm attaching a map to show you a couple of my favorite spots. Spot "A" is a little hill with a great view of Diablo with the man-made lake in the foreground (the photo at the top of this post is from that spot). Spot "B" is another Diablo view from the shoreline of the natural lake.

The public restrooms are across the street at the sports field (not inside the community center). Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Nortonville Road, Pittsburg, February 22, 2025

 

Contra Costa Plein Air and Jade Fon Paint-Out

Saturday, February 22, 10 am - 2 pm

Nortonville Road in Pittsburg

for GPS use 5780 Nortonville Rd., Pittsburg CA 94565

Nortonville Road is looking beautiful right now! The almond trees are blooming and the hills are green. Let's paint there this Saturday, February 22nd, 10 am to 2 pm. Enter Nortonville Road from Kirker Pass Road on the outskirts of Pittsburg. You can use 5780 Nortonville Rd. in your GPS to help you find the street (that address is one of the residences, not our actual spot.)

Park and set up your easel along the gravel shoulder of the road. The big, scenic barn is near the beginning of the road, or drive to the end of the road for views of almonds and oaks and the little green farmhouse.

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!