The best road cycling routes in Crockett Hills Regional Park

Bayside Views of the San Pablo bay from the paved trails into this waterfront regional park, with old boat docks, some buildings, picnic areas, but only one in-out connection to the bay trail on the other, inland side of the train tracks via a bridge.

The historic Contra Costa County Courthouse in Martinez, built in 1901, is a striking example of Beaux-Arts architecture with its grand columns and copper dome. Once the heart of county government, it now serves as a courthouse museum and symbol of the region’s legal and civic heritage.

Alhambra Cemetery and the adjacent St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery sit quietly on the hillside above Martinez, offering views of the Carquinez Strait and a glimpse into Contra Costa County’s early history. These historic burial grounds date back to the 1800s and include graves of pioneers, veterans, and local families.

The Benicia State Recreation Area entrance sits just off I780 and offers easy access to paved bike trails, marshland views, and shaded picnic spots. From here, you can connect to the Carquinez Scenic Drive or explore the wetlands along Southampton Bay. It’s a convenient launch point for a peaceful ride or walk through this tucked-away stretch of shoreline.

The Crockett World War I Memorial Hall, built in 1925 in Crockett, California, honors local soldiers who served in WWI—many of them workers from the nearby C&H Sugar refinery. Designed in Mission Revival style, the hall features stucco walls and red-tile roofing, typical of early 20th-century California. Today, it stands as a preserved local landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A quick stop here offers a glimpse into Crockett’s civic pride and wartime remembrance.

As this Scenic Drive is a deadend for cars, ending halfway at Ozol, even this first section is a pleasant walk, without traffic and frequent vistas across the water.

The Benicia Arsenal was established in 1849 on 345 acres of land east of the City and adjacent to the Carquinez Strait. The area was developed over a century of active military use with a variety of facility types including administrative and office buildings, storehouses, shops and residential quarters, as well as a hospital and port. In addition to the frame, brick, and stone structures built in the area between 1854 and 1911, many newer buildings were constructed during World War II. The Arsenal was deactivated in 1964 and the Defense Department transferred ownership to the City of Benicia in 1965. Today, the City retains ownership of several of the most historically significant structures, including the Commanding Officer's Quarters, the Clocktower building, the "Camel Barns", and one of the original powder magazines. The Arsenal is now characterized by older historic buildings, as well as studios, small professional offices, commercial and light industrial activities.

In 1966, most of the courts' offices moved into the Hall of Records (right), which was completed in 1933 and continues to serve as the county's courthouse. The old Contra Costa County Courthouse (left) remains in use as the county's Finance Building. Both buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.