Martinez (California)

By train

Martinez is well served by passenger rail. Amtrak has up to 30 departures per day on its Capitol Corridor route between Sacramento and San Jose, via Oakland as well as eight departures on the San Joaquins route between Emeryville and Bakersfield. Additionally, the once-daily California Zephyr train, running between Emeryville and Chicago calls here. Martinez station is close to downtown at 601 Marina Vista Rd, the station is well served by local buses.

By bus

Martinez is connected by bus to the towns of Concord and El Cerrito Del Norte, as well as the North Concord/Martinez BART Station, Pleasant Hill BART Station, and Walnut Creek BART Station.

By car

Accessible by Highway 4 and Interstate 680.

By plane

The nearest airport is Buchanan Field in Concord (small aircraft). The closest major airport is Oakland International (OAK). Note that San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the terminus of the BART line that serves the North Concord/Martinez Station.

• The County Connection

  phone: +1 925 676-7500

• Contra Costa County History Center

  phone: +1 925-229-1042
  address: 724 Escobar St

• John Muir National Historical Site

  phone: +1 925 228-8860
  address: 4202 Alhambra Ave
  This site includes a mansion, woodland, and grassland once belonging to John Muir and his family. Muir was known as an early environmentalist who founded the Sierra Club. Activities include a tour of the house and hiking. There is also an interesting adobe structure on site. In addition, if you have reservations to tour Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial in nearby Concord, you'll meet your guide here.

• Martinez Museum

  phone: +1 925 228-8160
  address: 1005 Escobar St
  Includes exhibits on John Muir, Don Ignacio Martinez, Joe Di Maggio (another Martinez native), the Port Chicago disaster, and general history of the town, as well as a gift shop and information on tours, including a cemetery tour!

• Martinez BeaversIn the fall of 2006, two beavers made their way up Alhambra Creek in downtown Martinez and decided to call it home, proceeding to produce 4 kits over the course of the summer. The beaver have transformed Alhambra Creek from a trickle into multiple dams and beaver ponds, which in turn, lead to the return of steelhead trout and river otter in 2008, and mink in 2009. Best viewing at the Marina, Escobar, and Amtrak footbridges. Beavers are nocturnal, so look in the early morning and late evening.

• Briones Regional Park

  phone: +1 510 562
  A beautiful 5,756-acre park covered in grassy hills and shady Oak trees. The park is south of Highway 4 off Reliez Valley Rd. Briones is a hikers paradise in the heart of the busy San Francisco Bay Area. East Bay Regional Park District Headquarters-PARK, group picnic reservations +1 510 636-1684, group camping reservations +1 510 636-1684. The park is open 8AM-10PM $5 per vehicle when the kiosk is attended.

• Carquinez Strait Regional ShorelineLocated immediately to the northwest of the John Muir NHS and extending to the Carquinez Strait, the ridgelines of this park offer extensive views of Mt. Diablo and the cities at its base, the Sacramento River Delta, the Mothball Fleet, Mt. Tamalpais and Mt. St. Helena. On clear winter days the snow-capped Sierras may be seen. Wild turkeys, hawks, deer, and other wildlife call the park home. In the spring cows are allowed to graze on the grassy hills. The park hosts a segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Great for a short day hike (1 to 5 miles).

• Hidden Lakes ParkThis park has everything from rope swings to hills and even cool wildlife. There are also trails to Hidden Valley Park.

• Martinez Skatepark

  address: North Court Street
  A free 10,000-foot skatepark for skateboarders and roller bladers.

• Martinez MarinaFeatures trails, a marsh, a pond, two playgrounds and a fishing pier. Located in downtown Martinez near Ferry Street and the Amtrak station. Bicycling is allowed on the trails. Dogs are allowed in some areas of the park but not near the ducks and pond.

• Pine Meadows Public Golf Course

  phone: +1 925 228-2881
  address: 451 Vine Hill Way
  A small and simple par-three course. A great place to shoot a quick round with friends.

• Walk Across the Martinez-Benicia BridgeA 2.2-mile pedestrian and bicycle path across the bridge to Benicia, part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail.

• Pandora's Box

  phone: +1 925 822-7420
  address: 613 Main St
  Boutique in the historic downtown district that includes artisan wares from Turkey and original clothing designs.

Chinese

• Canton Restaurant

  phone: +1 925 228-0100
  address: 719 Main St
  In downtown Martinez.

• China Villa

  phone: +1 925 229-4078
  address: 2376 Pacheco Blvd
  A true hole-in-the-wall type of place.

• Peking-Tokyo Restaurant

  phone: +1 925 372-3366
  address: 522 Center Ave
  In the Nob Hill Shopping Center. Serves Chinese and Japanese food, including sushi. This restaurant is also listed underneath the Japanese section.

• Sunflower Garden

  phone: +1 925 372-0842
  address: 822 Escobar St
  In downtown Martinez.

Greek

• Yanni's Greek Cafe

  phone: +1 925 943-5771
  address: 6635 Alhambra Ave. #212
  Gyros, souvlaki, mousaka, pastitsio, spanakopita, hamburgers.

Italian

• Louie Bertola's Restaurant

  phone: +1 925 372-0688
  address: 611 Escobar St
  The restaurant is in an old home. Interesting setting and decent food.

• Mangia Bene

  phone: +1 925 228-9123
  address: 1170 Arnold Dr
  In a strip mall off of Morello Ave. Advertised as "The Best Kept Secret in Martinez."

Japanese

• Hanabi Sushi

  phone: +1 925 957-0407
  address: 1155 Arnold Dr
  Sushi and other Japanese dishes.

• Peking-Tokyo Restaurant

  phone: +1 925 372-3366
  address: 522 Center Ave
  In the Nob Hill Shopping Center. Serves Chinese and Japanese food, including sushi. This restaurant is also listed underneath the Chinese section.

Mexican

• Cinco De Mayo

  phone: +1 925 335-0960
  address: 2250 Pacheco Blvd
  Restaurant and Catering

• La Tapatia

  phone: +1 925 229-3866
  address: 536 Main St
  Downtown. Family owned and operated business, with two restaurants: one in Martinez and one in Concord.

• Los Ponchos

  phone: +1 925 689-4430
  address: 5872 Pacheco Blvd
  A local favorite. Although this strictly-to-go taqueria is in Pacheco and not Martinez, it is close to town and frequented by many Martinez residents.

• Taqueria Los Toros

  phone: +1 925 228-8500
  address: 802 Main St
  Downtown. Coupon lunch offers for Jurors serving in the nearby Courthouse.

• Chavinda

  phone: +1 925 370-0117
  address: 514 Center Ave
  In the Nob Hill Shopping Center.

• La Primavera

  phone: +1 925 229-2199
  address: 1311 Pine St

Bars

• Cue and Brew

  address: 1029 Arnold Dr
  Great place for drinks and billiards.

• Ray's Lounge

  phone: +1 925 229-4755
  address: 709 Ferry St

Cafes and coffeehouses

• Legal Grounds Coffee

  address: 915 Main St
  In downtown Martinez, close to the Court Houses.

• Wilson's Espresso

  address: 3750 Alhambra Ave

• Starbucks

  address: 700 Main Street, 502 Center Ave, & 6688 Alhambra Ave
  Everywhere in the world, with three locations in Martinez.

• Best Western John Muir Inn

  phone: +1 925 229-1010
  address: 445 Muir Station Rd

Exercise caution in downtown during nighttime, its dimly lit and the homeless are numerous in that area. It's the crime hotspot of the city but, as with any city just use smart judgement and you should be safe.

• Benicia - Visible across the Carquinez Strait at the north end of the Martinez-Benicia Bridge.
• Concord - One of the largest cities in the East Bay, offering a variety of shopping and dining options.
• Pleasant Hill - This neighboring town is primarily a typical family suburb, but it does offer options for food and shopping.
• Walnut Creek - The downtown Walnut Creek area offers shopping, bars, and restaurants.
• Mount Diablo State Park - This 20,000-acre park provides great hiking opportunities on a mountain that dominates the landscape for most of central and eastern Contra Costa County. It offers an incredible viewshed, with views on clear days stretching 181 miles to Mount Lassen.
• Berkeley - Eclectic, political and always interesting, Berkeley is only a 20- to 25-minute drive away. Alternatively, using BART, either a) transfer at the MacArthur station and exit at Downtown Berkeley, or b) exit at Rockridge and walk ~2 miles to downtown.
• San Francisco - Although "the City" feels a world away, it's just a 46-minute BART ride (from North Concord/Martinez station) to the Embarcadero or a 35-90-minute-drive, depending on traffic.