Contra Costa County



Historic Route. From Alameda County the historic route approaches the Bay along what is now Masonic Boulevard and San Pablo Avenue, reaching the first campsite near Rodeo. From Rodeo, the route continues north and then east along San Pablo Bay and east along Carquinez Strait to Suisun Bay, and the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta. In the vicinity of Bethany today, the expedition ended its exploration and headed south toward Monterey. 

Federal Components
John Muir National Historic Site (Vicente Martinez Adobe)

Interpretive Sites
Rancho San Pablo Marker
Camp #99, Rodeo 
Vista del Rio
Salvio Pacheco Adobe
Don Fernando Pacheco Adobe/Hillcrest Community Park
East Bay Regional Park District
• Lone Tree Point, Rodeo
• Selby Open Space
• Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline
• Delta-De Anza Trail and viewpoint

Recreational Trail
Contra Costa County is served by the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD), the agency with primary responsibility for planning and implementing regional parks and a regional trail system. Within the county, multiuse trails are existing or proposed along nearly the entire historic route. EBRPD is helping to implement the San Francisco Bay Trail which links several EBRPD parks in western Contra Costa County, including Lone Tree Point, Selby Open Space, and Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline. The San Francisco Bay Trail board has passed a resolution to support and cooperate with the NPS to identify areas where signs can be installed to celebrate both trails.

The State of California Lands Commission is the lead agency is a multiagency effort to establish a Carquinez Strait Recreation Area. This effort should enhance the possibility of completing the Bay Trail in the western county.

EBRPD has already completed portions of the Delta-De Anza Trail which links the Iron Horse Trail along Walnut Creek in the Concord area to the eastern county line. This trail includes a vista point which provides views of the Suisun Bay and the Delta similar to those Anza and Font would have had.

Auto Route (marked)
From Alameda County, exit interstate 80 at San Pablo Avenue and follow it north to Crockett where it becomes Pomona Street and then Carquinez Scenic Drive. Follow this drive to Port Costa, turn south on McEwen Road to state highway 4, east. Continue on highway 4 through Oakley and Brentwood. North of Byron continue on County Road J4 to Patterson Pass Road in San Joaquin County. Patterson Pass Road turns west and enters Alameda County.

Auto Tour (guide book)
Follow San Pablo Avenue north-northeast to Crockett passing the Rodeo campsite at Parker Street in Rodeo. Before the Carquinez Strait Bridge, take Merchant Street up the hill to Kendall Street to Vista del Rio, the midday camp and viewpoint. Return to San Pablo Avenue, which becomes Pomona Street in Crockett, and then Carquinez Scenic Drive. Follow this drive to Port Costa, turn south on McEwen Road, which becomes Franklin Canyon Road, to Martinez. Turn north on Alhambra Road toward downtown Martinez, east on Escobar Street, south on Court Street which becomes Pine Street and then Pacheco Boulevard. Follow this boulevard east-southeast to Contra Costa Boulevard to Willow Pass Road. Camp 100 is where Willow Pass Road crosses Walnut Creek. Continue on Willow Pass Road to highway 4 and the auto route described above.

Agency/Organization Coordination
Cities of
     Antioch
     Brentwood
     Byron
     Concord
     Crockett
     Hercules
     Knightsen
     Martinez
     Oakley
     Pinole
     Pittsburg
     Richmond
     West Pittsburg
County of Contra Costa
• Planning Department
• Public Works Department
East Bay Municipal Utilities District (EBMUD)
East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD)
Moraga Historical Society
Muwekma-Ohlone Tribe of San Francisco Bay
Ohlone Tribe
San Francisco Bay Trail Project
State of California
• Caltrans
• Coastal Conservancy
• Department of Fish and Game
• Department of Parks and Recreation
• Native American Heritage Commission
• Office of Historic Preservation
• Office of Tourism
• State Lands Commission


Appendix C