Blackhawk is a master-planned community located in Contra Costa County, just east of Danville and close to the city of Oakland. Established in 1917 as Blackhawk Ranch, it went through a series of owners before it was purchased by a developer in 1975, who went on to build a community of 2400 homes on 4200 acres. Much of Blackhawk consists of more than 2000 acres of open space in between the town itself and Mount Diablo State Park.

One of the area’s most exclusive communities is the Blackhawk Country Club, which, besides being home to the community’s most luxurious homes, is where you will find the Falls Golf Course, the Lakeside Golf Course (a course on the LGPA tour), and the Blackhawk Tennis Club.

For more information, please visit www.danville.ca.gov

 

Located in the San Ramon Valley, 34 miles east of San Francisco, San Ramon is the 4^th largest city in Contra Costa County. It is well-known for innovation and many of America’s most successful companies, including Chevron, AT&T, and GE make their headquarters here.

Bordered by the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness to the Northwest and Bishop Ranch Regional Preserve to the west, I-680 runs right through its center. With its thriving business environment, moderate housing costs (compared to San Francisco), and excellent educational system, San Ramon is a desirable area to build a career and raise a family.

The city’s Central Park features 43 acres of green space in the center of town, a popular gathering place for outdoor concerts, picnics, movie nights, and farmer’s markets.

For more information, please visit www.ci.san-ramon.ca.us

 

The tiny community of Diablo is located a little under three miles northeast of Danville in the Ramon Valley of Contra Costa County. First settled in the early part of the 20^th century, it has grown to become one of the more affluent suburbs of the bay area, with much of its population in their 20s and 30s.

While Diablo is much smaller than many of its neighboring towns and cities, its history is much richer. Built up around Mount Diablo Park Club, one of the first and most prestigious country clubs in California, the town was built around amenities that were first brought in to service the club’s well-to-do members. Today, the club still stands and is owned by its members. No longer the only country club in the area, it still holds the most historical significance.

For more information, please visit this link.

 

Danville is referred to as a Town, even though its population tops 44,000. Incorporated in 1982, Danville was first settled by Native Americans in the later part of the 19^th century. As a stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad line, it was established as a residential suburb in the 1940s and continued to boom through the 1970s and ‘80s. Set against the backdrop of Mount Diablo, Danville today boasts some of the area’s most exclusive country clubs and spas.

With its plentiful and verdant landscapes, it was home to a wide range of agriculture, from sheep and cattle to fruit and nut crops. Today, it boasts a thriving economy, a very high standard of living, and a great diversity of cultural attractions, including many original buildings.

For more information, please visit www.danville.ca.gov

 

Located 20 miles east of San Francisco, Moraga is an incorporated town with a population of approximately 17,000. Directly adjacent to Orinda and Lafayette in Contra Costa County, it was once known for its pear orchards. Today, it still retains a bucolic country feel, surrounded by rolling hills, cattle farms, and the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail, which passes through the town.

Well-known for its school district, Moraga is a desirable place to raise a family. Local architecture includes several heritage sites, including the iconic Saint Mary’s College of California.

Nature lovers love Moraga. The Redwood Regional Park, the Lafayette Reservoir, and Las Trampas Regional Wilderness are area draws—all the sweeter when they are right at your back door.

For more information, visit www.moraga.ca.us

Located just south of Walnut Creek, just north of Danville, and just off of I-680, Alamo is an affluent suburb of San Francisco, located about 28 miles east of the city. First settled in the 1700s, it developed as a farming community famous for its almonds, walnuts, grapes, and various other fruits. Legend has it that the walnut trees in the area were descended from Persian cuttings that were grafted to native trees, giving Alamo’s nuts a distinctive quality.

Nestled in between the Las Trampas Ridge and the Diablo Mountain Range, the views are magnificent; surrounded by forested hillsides and wilderness, it is only a short drive to San Francisco or San Jose.

For more information, please visit www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/3595/Alamo

 

Located just east of the city of Berkeley, Orinda is an easy commute to San Francisco, Oakland or Walnut Creek. Known for its unspoiled landscapes, it is a favorite destination for hikers and naturalists who frequent the area’s parks and trails.

With some of the state’s top schools and a high standard of living, Orinda has been a desirable suburban locale since the late 1930s when the Caldecott Tunnel opened an expressway to Oakland and San Francisco. Incorporated in 1985, it continues to be a popular place to live, shop, and visit.

Conveniently close to BART, Berkeley, and San Francisco, Orinda is best known for the California Shakespeare Theater (Cal Shakes), the restored art deco Orinda Theatre, and its proximity to nearby Briones Regional Park.

For more information, visit www.cityoforinda.org

 

Located in Contra Costa County, Concord is the 8th largest city in the Bay Area with a population of approximately 125,000. Founded in 1869, Concord is located 29 miles east of San Francisco at the base of Mount Diablo and surrounded by protected Open Space. In recent years, it has been recognized as the best place in California to raise a family.

Dotted with parkland throughout, Concord is known for its vibrant music and arts scene. From weekend farmer’s markets to live outdoor concerts in the summer, there is always something to delight the senses.

For more information, visit www.cityofconcord.org

 

Located in Contra Costa County, Concord is the 8th largest city in the Bay Area with a population of approximately 125,000. Founded in 1869, Concord is located 29 miles east of San Francisco at the base of Mount Diablo and surrounded by protected Open Space. In recent years, it has been recognized as the best place in California to raise a family.

Dotted with parkland throughout, Concord is known for its vibrant music and arts scene. From weekend farmer’s markets to live outdoor concerts in the summer, there is always something to delight the senses.

For more information, visit www.cityofconcord.org

Martinez is the county seat of Contra Costa County in California’s East Bay with a population of about 38,000. Known for its heritage architecture, it is located on the southern shore of the Cauquenes Strait, near Vallejo.

Incorporated in 1876, Martinez was a way station during the California Gold Rush and played an important role in the early stages of the Pony Express. Known historically as an oil town, much of its early industry centered on refineries. Shell Oil is still one of the most significant employers in the area.

As local lore goes, Martinez is the birthplace and the namesake of the Martini cocktail. For more information, visit www.cityofmartinez.org.