Sunday, January 26, 2014

Facts For Those Moving To Contra Costa County

By Madeleine Glazier


If you are searching for an ideal spot to buy house, few locations are more idyllic that Contra Costa County. This county is located close to San Francisco and features beautiful scenery, mild weather throughout the year and a multitude of things to do and places to go. This suburban San Francisco Bay county has more than one million inhabitants, and here are a few more interesting facts about Contra Costa County.

This county was one of the 27 original California counties which were created in 1850 when California was admitted to the Union. Currently there are 19 incorporated cities, the largest of which is Concord, which has about 122,000 residents. The county seat is Martinez, which features a large number of well-preserved historic buildings in its downtown area. Martinez also is notable because it was home to John Muir, who lived in town more than 30 years, and his home is now the John Muir Historic Site.

The county's most notable feature is Mount Diablo, which rises more than 3,800 feet above sea level. For the ancient Miwok and Ohlone peoples, Mount Diablo is considered to be the source of all life, and this mountain is still very sacred to the descendents of these early Californians. The mountain is located in Mount Diablo State Park which offers a vast assortment of activities such as biking, hiking and horseback riding. A museum and interpretive center are also located within the park.

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.




About the Author:



No comments: