Antioch (California)

Antioch is one of the oldest towns in California. It was founded in 1850 by two brothers, William and Joseph Smith, who named the town Smith's Landing. In 1851, the town's new minister persuaded the residents to change the name of the town to Antioch, for the Biblical city of Antioch, Syria. Antioch is the 270th largest city in America.

By car

Highway 4 runs through Antioch and splits near the Antioch Bridge, becoming Highway 160 north towards Sacramento while staying Highway 4 south for the route through Brentwood, eventually leading to Stockton. Tolls for the bridge are collected for northbound traffic, and there are 5 exits going East and 3 exits going west on Highway 4. This is the primary route between the Antioch and the rest of the Bay Area, which leads to heavy congestion during commuting hours in the morning and early evening.

Renting

With Antioch's considerable sprawl, car rentals are the most convenient form of transportation for visitors. Local companies tend to offer better prices, but national chains might be more convenient as far as return policies and hours

By subway

• BART

  address: 1600 Slatten Ranch Rd
  Connections from Antioch to the majority of Contra Costa County, to Oakland (including Oakland International Airport) and the rest of the East Bay from Richmond to Fremont and San Francisco and the Peninsula as well as the far northeastern reach of Silicon Valley, usually at a cost between $2 and $4 each way. Note that there is an extra $5 added to any fare beginning or ending at SFO.

By train

Amtrak serves Antioch with its San Joaquin train between Oakland and Bakersfield, via Fresno. is at 100 I St, there is no ticket booth at the station and other amnestis are limited.

Tri-Delta Transit buses serve the area; pretty much all bus lines will take you to the BART in Pittsburg. County Connection bus #930 goes to Walnut Creek. The main streets are Hillcrest, Lone Tree, Somersville, A Street and James Donlon. These streets can pretty much take you anywhere you need to go in Antioch.

By taxi

Taxi service is available, but on a much reduced scale as compared to major cities, but you won't be able to hail a cab; it is necessary to call and arrange for a taxi to pick you up. Rates are fixed by city ordinance and do not vary among companies.

• Antioch Historical Society Museum

  phone: +1 925 757-1326
  address: 1500 W. 4th St
  An impressive collection of art and photos and memorabilia from all throughout Antioch's history. Each section focuses on a particular subject, such as the impressive collection of school items and memorabilia from Antioch and Deer Valley High Schools, and the movie projector and the posters associated with El Campanil. Located in what was originally the first high school constructed in Contra Costa County, this site is registered with the National Register of Historical Places.

• Antioch/Oakley Regional Shoreline

  address: Bridgehead Rd At Wilbur Ave
  A 550-foot pier provides access to great fishing in the San Joaquin River.

• Black Diamond Mines Regional Park

  phone: +1 510 544-2750
  address: 5175 Somersville Rd
  The Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve includes the remains of several coal mines and the sites of five long gone coal mining towns (Nortonville, Somersville, Stewartville, West Hartley and Judsonville). You can visit the mines in the area some offer tours and visit the Rose Hill cemetery.

• El Campanil Theatre

  phone: +1 925 757-9500
  address: 602 West 2nd St
  The historic El Campanil Theatre opened on November 1, 1928 in downtown Antioch. It now presents a wide variety of entertainment opportunities.

• The Cannery LadyStatue of lady working at a cannery, marker has a history of the early canneries in Contra Costa County.

• Antioch Public Fishing Pier

  address: Near I St Pier
  A place where a lot of locals come and fish; there are no entrance fees and plenty of parking.

• Antioch Marina

  phone: +1 925 779-6957
  address: 5 Marina Plz
  Great scenery and a very nice quiet place for walks. Has very decent rates at the marina and nice place to start out your day out on the San Joaquin River.

• Antioch Skatepark

  address: 4701 Lone Tree Way
  A concrete, city-built skatepark for skateboards and rollerblades, free to all bikes are not allowed inside, bring water as there is little shade and it gets hot in the summer.

• Antioch Waterpark

  phone: +1 925 776-3070
  address: 4701 Lone Tree Way
  A waterpark that is fun for people of all ages, has a variety of slides and pools.

• Contra Loma Regional Park & Swim Lagoon

  phone: +1 925 757-0404
  address: 1200 Frederickson Ln
  A man made lagoon where swimming and fishing is allowed, a lot of great trails and scenery to see as well. Park at the intersection of Frederickson and Contra Loma, or turn N on Contra Loma and drive N to the parking near the lagoon.

• Delta Bowl

  phone: +1 925 757-5424
  address: 3300 Delta Fair Blvd
  A great place for the family to go bowling.

• Lone Tree Golf Course and Event Center

  phone: +1 925 706-4220
  address: 4800 Golf Course Rd
  This walkable 6,481-yard, par 72 golf course is located along the rolling hills of Antioch, featuring plenty of trees and scenic vistas, complete with its own restaurant and private events space.

• Paradise Skate

  phone: +1 925 779-0204
  address: 1201 W 10th St
  An indoor skating rink to go skating around or for roller hockey. Only open to the public from Friday-Sunday. Private events M-Th.

Events

• Fourth OF July Fireworks Show

• Rivertown Jamboree

• Antioch Speedway

  phone: +1 925 779-9220
  address: 1201 W 10th St
  Where local car drivers race cars on the dirt track, very fun and entertaining time, usually the races are held during the summer.

• Antioch Fairgrounds Flea Market

  phone: +1 925 776-0502
  A somewhat small flea market usually open on Saturdays.

• Contra Costa County FairYour typical county fair held at the Antioch Fairgrounds, dates change usually year to year, so check website for dates.

• Sommersville Towne Center

  phone: +1 925 778-5055
  address: 2556 Somersville Rd
  This is an enclosed shopping center with a small Macy's and a Sears as anchor stores.

Movie theaters

• AMC Deer Valley 16

  phone: +1 925 757-2111
  address: 4200 Lone Tree Way
  A 16 screen cinema located in the Deer Valley shopping center.

• Aladino's Pizza

  phone: +1 925 757-6363
  address: 1324 Sunset Dr
  A longtime local favorite for large pies and wings. Online ordering. Gluten-free options available.

• Hazel's Drive In

  phone: +1 925 757-4772
  address: 1820 W 10th St
  A local favorite, has some very large burgers there, order a "Willy" Burger and if you can finish it, you get your name and picture on the wall.

• Jerry's Hot Dogs No 1

  phone: +1 925 754-4313
  address: 3005 Delta Fair Blvd
  Known around the area for the best hot dogs and Gyros around. They offer a very large portion of chili cheese fries. A local favorite where you can actually get a authentic gyro.

• Little Manuel's

  phone: +1 925 778-4740
  address: 1509 A St
  Great Mexican and Italian food, plus a bar. Enjoy the wall art while you munch on the free chips, salsa and bean dip.

• Oliver Fish House

  phone: +1 925-754-2800
  address: 1828 A St
  A snug little gem of excellent fried fish and chicken and a menu to suit all needs within that range, from a simple meal to a feast.

• The Red Caboose

  phone: +1 925 777-1921
  address: 210 Fulton Shipyard Rd
  A restaurant and bar that is inside a Red Caboose, a little of the beaten path but the locals love it.

• Rick's On Second

  phone: +1 925-757-5500
  address: 619 W 2nd St
  One of the best places to get sandwiches in the area, a lot of the locals go here for lunch and dinner. Very nice little place, nice decor and pictures, very cozy feel.

• Riverview Lodge

  phone: +1 925 757-2272
  address: 1 I St
  I Street Wharf. Perched on a dock, they have a bar that faces the Delta, locally known for its prime rib.

• Sawaddee Thai Cuisine

  phone: +1 925 706-8373
  address: 1884 A St
  A family-friendly small Thai restaurant with many types of entrees to enjoy.

• Skipolini's Pizza

  phone: +1 925 757-7770
  address: 901 Fitzuren Rd
  A nice pizza place with an outdoor setting and an outdoor play area for children. The entire floor is covered in sawdust and has some of the best pizza around.

• Sylvia's Country Kitchen

  phone: +1 925 778-8877
  address: 2799 Lone Tree Way
  One of the best places in Antioch to get breakfast or lunch. Only fault is their inexplicably bland biscuits and gravy.

• Taqueria Salsa

  phone: +1 925 778-9281
  address: 3612 Delta Fair Blvd
  They grill their meat on a large open flame barbeque grill with some of the best Mexican food and great prices in town.

• Mac's Old House

  phone: +1 925 757-9908
  address: 3100 E 18th St
  Great place for minestrone and steaks and has a very decent bar with a good happy hour.

• Cheers

  phone: +1 925 753-5760
  address: 1888 A St
  A local place in which to drink.

• Mutiny MFB

  phone: +1 925 755-2900
  address: 422 W Second St
  A great place to go to hear local bands or rap groups, great drinks and abundant parking.

• All Star Sports Bar and Grill

  phone: +1 925 778-9282
  address: 2521 San Jose
  Your standard sports bar they have a pool table and darts and serve food as well.

• Best Western Heritage Inn

  phone: +1 925 778-2000
  address: 3210 Delta Fair Blvd

• Stone Villa Inn Antioch

  address: 1605 Auto Center Dr

Exercise caution in downtown during nighttime, its dimly lit and the homeless are numerous in that area. As with any city just use smart judgement and you should be safe.

Newspapers

The Antioch Press, published by Brentwood Press & Publishing Corporation. Antioch Press is a weekly newspaper that is published every Friday. The circulation is just over 4,000.

Hospitals

• Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center
• Sutter Delta Medical Center

Libraries

• Antioch Library, 501 W 18th St, +1 925 757-9224, part of the Contra Costa Library system.

• Go to San Francisco, which is only about 40 minutes away.
• Sacramento is also pretty close, about 45 minutes away.