Contra Costa County

Taking its name from the Spanish for “opposite shore,” Contra Costa County sits due east from San Francisco along the shores of San Francisco Bay. The name, which dates to Mexican land grant days of the 1830s reflects the heritage of Spanish colonization, which can still be found in place names such as Mt. Diablo, which dominates the county landscape at 3,849 feet above sea level. Today Contra Costa County is home to more than a million people, most of whom live in the affluent suburbs of Concord, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, and Walnut Creek. The county is famed for its mild Mediterranean climate, its wealth of sunny open spaces served by biking, hiking, and equestrian trails, and its easy access to San Francisco via the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Interstate Highways.

One of the smallest towns in Contra Costa County, Alamo features multimillion-dollar homes on winding lanes that provide sweeping views of the San Ramon Valley’s wide open spaces. The Alamo Feed & Grain store equips horse owners with their essential supplies. Large custom homes on half-acre lots in this tranquil town recently earned Alamo recognition by Money Magazine as one of its top 100 places to live.

Families come first in Concord, the largest city in Contra Costa County, with 120,000 people. Excellent schools, abundant parks and open space, three major shopping malls, and easy access to freeways and BART make Concord one of the most desirable locations in the county. Twice weekly Farmers Markets bring local produce to the downtown, providing fresh food, live music, and wood fired pizzas that attracts a lively mix of singles, families with strollers, and retirees to the city streets. On warm evenings under the stars, there’s no better place to catch national acts like Bonnie Raitt, Santana, and Maroon 5 than the 12,000-seat Concord Pavilion.

Rolling, sun drenched hills, oak studded parklands, and affluent upscale neighborhoods define living in Lafayette. Sought after by San Franciscans who wanted an escape from the fog, access to its high performing school system, and a safe place for their children to grow up, Lafayette is only 24 miles from San Francisco, but a world away from the stress of urban living. In Lafayette one can find Michelin-rated restaurants, upscale shopping and within minutes of its shopping district, vineyards, cattle ranches, and horse pastures that share the landscape with gated homes and large estates.

Moraga is a magnet, drawing families who desire small town living, a serene landscape of gently rolling hills where cows and horses are pastured, easy access to open space, warm weather, and some of the best schools in the Bay Area. Within 45 minutes of San Francisco, Moraga boasts spacious homes on tree-lined streets, summer concerts in local parks, and a renovated movie theater that shows independent films alongside Hollywood blockbusters.

Beauty, wealth, and prestige combine in Orinda, a small town just over the Oakland hills from San Francisco. Orinda’s easy access to San Francisco, its excellent school system, and fabulous weather make this one of the most sought after communities in the Bay Area. Just outside it’s intimate central shopping district, the rural character of Orinda is evident in its secluded homes tucked away in steep oak canyons.

Sophisticated entertainment in Walnut Creek is offered by the spectacular Lesher Center for the Arts, which now hosts more than 900 performing arts a year. The center serves as anchor for an active nightlife in Walnut Creek, where patrons can enjoy after-show meals at famed eateries Lark Creek, Massimo’s, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The central shopping district includes upscale boutiques such as Tiffany’s and major luxury retailers Nordstrom in Broadway Plaza. Consistently ranked in US News top ten places to live, Walnut Creek includes a free trolley that connects to BART, easy access to the phenomenal views of Mt. Diablo, more than 22 parks and over 2700 acres of open space. Housing in Walnut Creek is predominated by custom built, one-of kind multimillion-dollar homes on sprawling grounds.

From quiet, secluded towns like Alamo to the vibrant communities of Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda, to the bustling cities of Concord and Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County offers the opportunity to enjoy the best of Bay Area living.

How Many People Live in Contra Costa County?

Population: 1,029,703

What Languages Are Spoken in Contra Costa County?

Language: English,

What is the Currency in Contra Costa County?

Currency: USD

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