Antioch
Antioch is in eastern Contra Costa County in California.
Understand
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.
Get in
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
- 1 BART, 1600 Slatten Ranch Rd (Approach from Hillcrest, just N of Hwy 4, E of Hillcrest Park & Ride). 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. 1 Antioch Station is at 100 I St, there is no ticket booth at the station and other amnestis are limited.
Get around
Map of Antioch (California)
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.
See
- 1 Antioch Historical Society Museum, 1500 W. 4th St (On the north side of the curve, where W. 4th becomes Auto Center Dr), ☏ +1 925 757-1326. W, Sa 1PM-4PM. 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. Free.
- 2 Antioch/Oakley Regional Shoreline, Bridgehead Rd At Wilbur Ave (Use Bridgehead Rd, parking is near the turn where Bridgehead goes under Hwy 160 and the Antioch Bridge). Daily 5AM-10PM. A 550-foot pier provides access to great fishing in the San Joaquin River.
- 3 Black Diamond Mines Regional Park, 5175 Somersville Rd (Extreme S end of Somersvile Rd, S of James Donlon Blvd), ☏ +1 510 544-2750, toll-free: +1-888-327-2757 (option 3 extension 4506). Seasonal hours - check website. 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. Parking and dog fees, seasonally.
- 4 El Campanil Theatre, 602 West 2nd St (Corner of West 2nd St and G St), ☏ +1 925 757-9500. Tu-F 10AM-2PM, 1 Hour before performances. The historic El Campanil Theatre opened on November 1, 1928 in downtown Antioch. It now presents a wide variety of entertainment opportunities.
- 5 The Cannery Lady (Near Antioch Amtrak). Statue of lady working at a cannery, marker has a history of the early canneries in Contra Costa County.
Do
- 1 Antioch Public Fishing Pier, Near I St Pier (Just E of Riverview Lodge and I St Pier, N of Walden Plaza). A place where a lot of locals come and fish; there are no entrance fees and plenty of parking.
- 2 Antioch Marina, 5 Marina Plz (Northernmost end of L St), ☏ +1 925 779-6957. Daily 8AM-5PM. 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. See website for pricing.
- 3 Antioch Skatepark, 4701 Lone Tree Way (Behind the water park). Daily 7AM-8PM. 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. Free.
- 4 Antioch Waterpark, 4701 Lone Tree Way (Light blue buildings in Prewett Park), ☏ +1 925 776-3070. Seasonal. A waterpark that is fun for people of all ages, has a variety of slides and pools. Check website.
- 5 Contra Loma Regional Park & Swim Lagoon, 1200 Frederickson Ln (W end of Frederickson at Contra Loma Blvd), ☏ +1 925 757-0404, toll-free: +1-888-327-2757. Seasonal - see website. 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. Seasonal - see website.
- 6 Delta Bowl, 3300 Delta Fair Blvd (Just W of Somersville, across the street from Macy's), ☏ +1 925 757-5424. M-W 9AM-11PM, Th 9AM-11:30PM, F 9PM-1AM, Sa 10AM-1AM, Su 10AM-11PM. A great place for the family to go bowling. Varies by day; special deals available, check website.
- 7 Lone Tree Golf Course and Event Center, 4800 Golf Course Rd (Entrance is south of Lone Tree Way, past Cache Creek Dr), ☏ +1 925 706-4220. 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.
- 8 Paradise Skate, 1201 W 10th St (Location near S end of O St), ☏ +1 925 779-0204, fax: +1 925 779-0201. F-Su check website for hours. An indoor skating rink to go skating around or for roller hockey. Only open to the public from Friday-Sunday. Private events M-Th. Varies by day, check website.
Events
- Fourth OF July Fireworks Show.
- Rivertown Jamboree.
- Antioch Speedway (Contra Costa Speedway), 1201 W 10th St (Antioch Fairgrounds), ☏ +1 925 779-9220. 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 (Corner of 10th Street & L St), ☏ +1 925 776-0502. A somewhat small flea market usually open on Saturdays.
- Contra Costa County Fair. Your typical county fair held at the Antioch Fairgrounds, dates change usually year to year, so check website for dates.
Buy
- Sommersville Towne Center, 2556 Somersville Rd, ☏ +1 925 778-5055. This is an enclosed shopping center with a small Macy's and a Sears as anchor stores.
Movie theaters
- AMC Deer Valley 16, 4200 Lone Tree Way, ☏ +1 925 757-2111. A 16 screen cinema located in the Deer Valley shopping center.
Eat
- 1 Aladino's Pizza, 1324 Sunset Dr (Hillcrest Sunset Plaza, near corner of Hillcrest Dr and Sunset Dr), ☏ +1 925 757-6363. M-Th 3PM-9PM, F-Su 11AM-9PM. A longtime local favorite for large pies and wings. Online ordering. Gluten-free options available. $20-35.
- 2 Hazel's Drive In, 1820 W 10th St (Near the corner of W 10th and Auto Center Dr), ☏ +1 925 757-4772. M-F 10:30AM-7:30PM, Sa 11AM-7:30PM, Su 10AM-3PM. 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. Under $15.
- 3 Jerry's Hot Dogs No 1, 3005 Delta Fair Blvd, ☏ +1 925 754-4313. M-Sa 9:30AM-8PM, Su 9:30AM-6PM. 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. Under $15.
- 4 Little Manuel's, 1509 A St (Between E 15th St and E 16th St), ☏ +1 925 778-4740. Su-Th 11:30AM-9PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-10PM. Great Mexican and Italian food, plus a bar. Enjoy the wall art while you munch on the free chips, salsa and bean dip. $20-30.
- 5 Oliver Fish House, 1828 A St (South end of Antioch Square, near corner of W 18th St and A St), ☏ +1 925-754-2800. M-Sa 11AM-9PM. 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. $15-30.
- 6 The Red Caboose, 210 Fulton Shipyard Rd (At the turn where McElheny Rd becomes Fulton Shipyard Rd), ☏ +1 925 777-1921. Tu 3PM-midnight, W-F 11AM-midnight, Sa 9AM-midnight, Su 9AM-11PM. A restaurant and bar that is inside a Red Caboose, a little of the beaten path but the locals love it. $15-30.
- 7 Rick's On Second, 619 W 2nd St (Near corner of W 2nd St and G St, across from El Campanil), ☏ +1 925-757-5500, fax: +1 925 757-3876. M-Th 11AM-2PM, F-Sa 11AM-2PM, 5PM-8PM. 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. $15-30.
- 8 Riverview Lodge, 1 I St (Northernmost end of I St), ☏ +1 925 757-2272. Daily 11AM-9PM. I Street Wharf. Perched on a dock, they have a bar that faces the Delta, locally known for its prime rib. $20-40.
- 9 Sawaddee Thai Cuisine, 1884 A St (South side of Antioch Square), ☏ +1 925 706-8373. M-Sa 11AM-9PM. A family-friendly small Thai restaurant with many types of entrees to enjoy. $15-30.
- 10 Skipolini's Pizza, 901 Fitzuren Rd (Near G St, approach by driving away from W Tragallas), ☏ +1 925 757-7770, fax: +1 925 757-8265. M-Th 4PM-9:30PM, F 4PM-10:30PM, Sa 11:30AM-10:30PM, Su 11:30AM-9:30PM. 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. $20-40.
- 11 Sylvia's Country Kitchen, 2799 Lone Tree Way (Halfway between Worrell and W Tragallas, Northbound side of Lone Tree), ☏ +1 925 778-8877. Su-M 6:30AM-2PM, Tu-Sa 6:30AM-8:30PM. One of the best places in Antioch to get breakfast or lunch. Only fault is their inexplicably bland biscuits and gravy. $15-30.
- 12 Taqueria Salsa, 3612 Delta Fair Blvd (North of Somersville Towne Centre), ☏ +1 925 778-9281. M-Sa 9:30AM-8PM. They grill their meat on a large open flame barbeque grill with some of the best Mexican food and great prices in town. Under $15.
Drink
- Mac's Old House, 3100 E 18th St, ☏ +1 925 757-9908. Great place for minestrone and steaks and has a very decent bar with a good happy hour.
- Cheers, 1888 A St, ☏ +1 925 753-5760. A local place in which to drink.
- Mutiny MFB, 422 W Second St, ☏ +1 925 755-2900. A great place to go to hear local bands or rap groups, great drinks and abundant parking.
- All Star Sports Bar and Grill, 2521 San Jose, ☏ +1 925 778-9282. Your standard sports bar they have a pool table and darts and serve food as well.
Sleep
- Best Western Heritage Inn, 3210 Delta Fair Blvd, ☏ +1 925 778-2000, toll-free: +1-800-422-2340, fax: +1 925 778-6015.
- Stone Villa Inn Antioch, 1605 Auto Center Dr.
Stay safe
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.
Cope
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 next
- Go to San Francisco, which is only about 40 minutes away.
- Sacramento is also pretty close, about 45 minutes away.
| Routes through Antioch |
| Hercules ← Pittsburg ← | W  E |
→ Brentwood → Stockton |
| END ← | S  N |
→ Isleton → Sacramento |
| Emeryville ← Martinez ← | W  E |
→ Stockton → Bakersfield |
| Millbrae/SFO ← Pittsburg ← | W  E |
→ END |
