Sunday, February 2, 2014

Interesting Facts About Contra Costa County

By Madeleine Glazier


The San Francisco Bay area, which encompasses several counties and many cities, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It is also a great place to live, and millions of Californians have chosen this Northern California area as their home including the approximately one million Californians that live in the mostly suburban county of Contra Costa. For those interested in moving to Contra Costa County, here is some interesting information.

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.

The most prominent geographic feature in the county is Mount Diablo, a 3,864-foot mountain which can be seen throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. This peak is a sacred spot for descendents of the early indigenous people who lived in the area thousands of years ago, such as the Ohlone and Miwok. The mountain is part of a protected area known as Mount Diablo State Park and has plenty of hiking and biking trails as well as horseback riding facilities, an interpretive center and a museum.

Not only can you enjoy the wonderful weather at Mount Diablo State Park, there are many parks, and the county is well known for its large amount of open space. Walnut Creek, which is one lovely city in Contra Costa County, actually has more open space than any other city in California per capita. Of course, each city has many parks and there are also county-run parks, and the East Bay Regional Park District operates a few large parks in the county. If you are a dog lover, the nation's largest dog park is located in Point Isabel Regional Shoreline.

If you love museums, music and other cultural attractions, there's plenty for you waiting in Contra Costa County. Car lovers will enjoy the Blackhawk Automotive Museums, and if you love the plays of Eugene O'Neill, his home is located here and has been designated a National Historic Site. There are other museums and historic structures to tour, such as adobes that date back to the rancho days. Concord was once the home of musician Dave Brubeck so it's not surprising that the city has an annual jazz festival. If you love classical music, take in a performance of the California Symphony, which performs in Walnut Creek.

When you are searching for a new home, the team of realtors at 1stInSite.com can help. They are familiar with the housing market throughout both Alameda and Contra Costa County. So whether you want a home in Walnut Creek or are interested in real estate in Alamo or Lafayette, they can find the perfect place for you and your family. They specialize in finding homes in California's idyllic East Bay.




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