Paint-Out Nov 30, Lake Del Valle

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Wednesday, November 30, 10 am - 2 pm

Lake Del Valle

Del Valle Regional Park

7000 Del Valle Road, Livermore, CA 94550

Del Valle Regional Park

Let's go back to beautiful Lake Del Valle! We'll be painting on the EAST side of the lake. Make an immediate right turn after the entry kiosk, then park in the first large parking lot on the left (drive past the Eagles View group camp). There are really nice overlook views at the south end of that lot and that's where I'll be, but you can also explore the whole shoreline for more great views. See the map below to help you find us (click on the image to enlarge).

Please note, there is no cell reception anywhere in the park (really!) They do have pay phones for emergencies. It's sometimes windy around the lake so be prepared.

Entry fee is $6 per vehicle. Restrooms are open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Nov 21, Diablo Foothills

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Monday, November 21, 10 am - 2 pm

Diablo Foothills Regional Park Orchard Staging Area

Castle Rock Road in Walnut Creek, just past Castle Rock Arabians

Please note that this location IS NOT at 1700 Castle Rock Rd., the address listed for Diablo Foothills Regional Park

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

Let's go back to the beautiful Diablo Foothills Regional Park Orchard Staging Area! Note that this is a MONDAY paint-out, chosen for good weather and lack of high school traffic for the Thanksgiving holiday. Our spot is a big parking lot on the right side of Castle Rock Road just after you pass Castle Rock Arabians. 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. 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 Nov 20, Round Valley

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, November 20th, 10 am - 2 pm

Round Valley Regional Preserve

19450 Marsh Creek Rd.

Brentwood CA 94513

Round Valley Regional Preserve

Let's go back to beautiful Round Valley on Sunday, November 20th. There are plenty of good views within steps of the parking lot, or you can walk up the trail to explore more options. We're getting into the rainy season, so just keep an eye on the weather report to see what to expect. If it's actually raining we'll cancel, but if it's just cool and misty let's go for it. Should be pretty!

Feel free to arrive earlier than 10 am if you'd like to get a jump on the day. Admission is free, restrooms are open. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Nov 10, Black Diamond

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, November 10, 10 am - 2 pm

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

5175 Somersville Road, Antioch CA 94509

https://www.ebparks.org/parks/black-diamond

Let's go back to beautiful Black Diamond! This time let's park in the upper level parking lot and fan out from there. You'll find great views within steps of the parking lot picnic area, or head up the trail for some stunning, panoramic vistas up and down the valley, including a view uphill toward the historic Rose Hill Cemetery. If you're a strong hiker with a light pack you may even choose to hike up to the cemetery for a different perspective.

Park entry is usually free during the week but be prepared to pay $5 if the gate kiosk happens to be staffed (not likely). Restrooms are open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Nov 3, Contra Loma Regional Park

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, November 3, 10 am - 2 pm

Contra Loma Regional Park

1200 Frederickson Lane, Antioch, CA 94509

Contra Loma Regional Park

Contra Loma is looking really pretty right now. Let's paint there this coming Thursday (unless it rains, which is not predicted). After you pay your $5 entry fee at the kiosk drive straight ahead and park in the Boat Launch parking lot. There are great views within steps of the parking lot, or you can walk the shoreline trail for more options. You might like to explore the Loma Island picnic area, about halfway between the Boat Launch and the Channel Point parking lots.

Entry fee is $5, restrooms are open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Nov 20, Round Valley

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, November 20th, 10 am - 2 pm

Round Valley Regional Preserve

19450 Marsh Creek Rd.

Brentwood CA 94513

Round Valley Regional Preserve

Let's go back to beautiful Round Valley on Sunday, November 20th. There are plenty of good views within steps of the parking lot, or you can walk up the trail to explore more options. We're getting into the rainy season, so just keep an eye on the weather report to see what to expect. If it's actually raining we'll cancel, but if it's just cool and misty let's go for it. Should be pretty!

Feel free to arrive earlier than 10 am if you'd like to get a jump on the day. Admission is free, restrooms are open. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Oct 27, Lafayette Reservoir

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, October 27, 10 am - 2 pm

Lafayette Reservoir

3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette CA 94549

Lafayette Reservoir :: East Bay Municipal Utility District

The Lafayette Reservoir was so beautiful last week -- let's go back!

Enter the park at the main entrance on 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.

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 here 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 Oct 16, Mangini Ranch

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, October 16, 10 am - 3 pm

Mangini Ranch, Concord

Mangini Ranch - Save Mount Diablo

UPDATE 10/10/22:  This event is SOLD OUT. I'll update this post if more spaces become available.

Paint-out Sunday, October 16th at Mangini Ranch, hosted by Save Mount Diablo.

This educational preserve is not open to the general public and is only available to groups by reservation, so this is a very special opportunity for us. Features include grassland, blue oak woodland, chaparral, oak savannah, stream canyons, desert olive scrub, several springs and a pond. 

We'll be meeting at 5318 Crystyl Ranch Drive, Concord, CA 94521, then the Save Mount Diablo docent will open the gate for us to drive in and park on-site. Please note that there are no restrooms, so plan ahead.

Space is limited to 20 participants. Open to painters, sketchers and photographers. Save Mount Diablo has created an Eventbrite page where you can sign up for our October 16th plein air event. The link is Plein Air Painting, Sketching, & Photography - Mangini Ranch Tickets, Sun, Oct 16, 2022 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite

Paint-Out Oct 15, Diablo view at Northgate HS

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, October 15, 10 am - 2 pm

Diablo view across the street from Northgate High School

425 Castle Rock Rd., Walnut Creek CA 94598

Let's go back to the great Diablo view across the street from Northgate High School in Walnut Creek! Park on the street, then head out on the trail to find your spot. Please note that 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.

There are no restrooms at this location, so plan ahead. Bring your own water and sun protection, and as always in these backcountry grasslands be sure to wear insect repellant (ticks) and keep an eye out for snakes. I think you’ll find that the view is worth a few minor discomforts!

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 Oct 13, Lafayette Reservoir

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, October 13, 10 am - 2 pm

Lafayette Reservoir

3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette CA 94549

https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/lafayette-reservoir

Let's paint at the beautiful Lafayette Reservoir! For this paint-out I’m suggesting we all set up in the area around the Visitor Center. From here you can find great views of the water and shoreline, wooded hills, the iconic water tower, colorful boats, people fishing and hiking.

Enter the park at the main entrance on 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.

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 posting a map below 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 Oct 8, Lake Del Valle

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, October 8, 10 am - 3 pm

Del Valle Regional Park

7000 Del Valle Road, Livermore, CA 94550

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

Let's go back to beautiful Lake Del Valle! We'll be painting on the EAST side of the lake. Make an immediate right turn after the entry kiosk, then park in the first large parking lot on the left (drive past the Eagles View group camp). There are really nice overlook views at the south end of that lot and that's where I'll be, but you can also explore the whole shoreline for more great views. You can also park in the second large parking lot if you prefer the views there. I'm attaching a map to help you find us.

Please note, there is no cell reception anywhere in the park (really!) They do have pay phones for emergencies. It's sometimes windy around the lake so be prepared.

Entry fee is $6 per vehicle. Restrooms are open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Oct 1, Hagemann Ranch

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, October 1, 10 am - 3 pm

Hagemann Ranch

455 Olivina Ave., Livermore CA 94551

Livermore Heritage Guild - Hagemann Ranch (lhg.org)

Let's go back to the historic Hagemann Ranch in Livermore! The Livermore Heritage Guild is hosting this artists' day especially for us. There may also be a handful of horse-riders and gardeners but not the general public, so there will be plenty of space for us to spread out and paint, sketch and photograph.

Drive through the gate to park on-site, or if the lot is full you can park on Olivina Avenue. Then walk on in to explore and find your spot. The gardens, buildings and displays will be open. There are some shady areas and benches. Bring your own water. The portable restroom is open.

Admission is free but donations are appreciated -- I suggest putting $5 in the Donation Boot. Rain cancels, but if it's just cloudy and cool we'll go ahead and paint. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Sept 25, East Contra Costa Historical Museum

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, September 25, 10 am - 3 pm

East Contra Costa Historical Museum

3890 Sellers Ave., Brentwood CA 94513

https://eastcontracostahistory.org/

Here's something very special! We've been invited to have a paint-out at the East Contra Costa Historical Museum in Brentwood on Sunday, September 25th, 10 am - 3 pm. Volunteers are opening the grounds just for us, so we'll have the place all to ourselves. Painters, sketchers, photographers -- you're going to love it!

The entire museum has been refurbished and all areas are open, including the interiors of the historic Byer Nail house, the Eden Plain Schoolhouse and Homer's Tool Shed. Outdoor exhibits include a great collection of vintage tractors, trucks, farm equipment, windmills and a caboose. There's also a rose garden and views of the surrounding farmland and Mt. Diablo.

Admission is free, donations are encouraged (I suggest $5). Restrooms are open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!