Interesting Facts About Contra Costa County

By Madeleine Glazier


Contra Costa County, which is part of the general San Francisco Bay area, is a wonderful spot to live. Not only will you enjoy the mild climate of this area of northern California, there are plenty of attractions. This mainly suburban residential county is home to more than one million residents, and here are just a few facts about the area.

California became a state in 1850 just a few years after gold was discovered, and Contra Costa County was one of the initial 27 counties created when statehood was achieved. There are many unincorporated communities and areas in the county as well as nearly 20 incorporated cities. Among these official cities is Martinez, which not only serves as the county seat, it also is home to many historic buildings and structures including the John Muir Historic Site. The famed naturalist lived here from 1890 until his death in 1914. The largest city in the county is not Martinez, but Concord, which has more than 120,000 residents.

From just about anywhere in the Bay area you can see Contra Costa County's most prominent feature, geographically speaking, which is the peak of Mount Diablo. This mountain rises more than 3,800 feet, and California's most ancient people believed it was the source from which all life originated. Now part of Mount Diablo State Park, visitors can climb or bike to the peak or enjoy any of the many trails in the park. You can also go horseback riding in the park, enjoy a picnic or visit the museum and the interpretive center.

Contra Costa County is also notable for its abundance of scenic open space. One town for example, Walnut Creek, has more open space per capita than any other town, city or community in the state. There are dozens of parks, some are run by individual cities, others are state parks and some are managed by the East Bay Regional Park District. One particularly notable park is Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, which includes, among other amenities, the largest dog park in the United States.

There are many museums and cultural activities in the county, as well. You can tour historic adobes, visit the world-famous Blackhawk Automotive Museum or check out the home of famous playwright Eugene O'Neill, which is now a National Historic Site. The Concord Jazz Festival is just one of several popular music festivals that are held annually in the county. The California Symphony has its home base in Walnut Creek, and there are many interesting concerts and special events planned throughout the year.

If you are searching for Walnut Creek homes for sale or perhaps Moraga homes for sale or Alamo real estate, be sure to find a real estate agent that is familiar with the many different cities and towns in Contra Costa County. The experts at 1stInSite.com, for instance, can help you find a great family home in any of these communities as well as other parts of the East Bay area, including Danville, Lafayette, Orinda, Pleasanton and more.




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