Californias Carquinez Region

The Bay's BEST kept secret! This beautiful region is comprised of 6 waterfront communities situated along the shorelines of the North East Bay Area in Contra Costa and Solano Counties. Crockett, Port Costa, and Martinez in Contra Costa County and Benicia, Mare Island and Vallejo in Solano County. These sister cities are characterized by their waterfront access, enjoyable microclimate, Historic Downtowns, quality of life, proximity to Sf and Oakland, and AFFORDABLE HOUSING! Bound together through location, proximity and history each of these communities offers its own unique destinations and experiences. The Region as a whole is experiencing a renaissance. With new restaurants, winery's, breweries, coffee roasters, art galleries and small retail boutiques opening across the region. Now is a great time to come see, experience and taste all the region has to offer! 

Benicia

California Coastal Living

 Benicia truly epitomizes California coastal living with views of the water and hills at almost every turn.  No matter where you are downtown the shore is nearby. Whether you're enjoying fine dining at Bella Sienna while watching the sun set across the water, having a drink and listening to live music at Luccas Beer Garden, standing in line for a treat from the amazing One House bakery, or enjoying a shrimp po boy from the workshop you are always near beach access, a trail, or a view. Water sports reign supreme here with people kite surfing, wind surfing, paddle boarding, boating, kayaking and swimming the waters. Alvarado 9th Street Beach is particularly popular for its stretch of sandy Beach and shallow waters. Benicians have an incredible sense of community pride and spirit.  Adults and families enjoy the many events throughout the year that celebrate this small-town including wine walks, parades, scarecrow contests, movies under the stars and a waterfront festival.  For commuters Benicia is just a short drive to the Vallejo Ferry where you can enjoy a scenic and relaxing cruise to work.  Once our state capital, Benicia has beautiful palacial historic homes many of which are waterfront!  Some of the Bay's most stunning real estate is found on the shores of this amazing community.  Home prices over the last year here vary from $ 280k for a 1-bedroom condo to $2.25m for a luxury downtown waterfront home! 

Crockett

Sugar City

The Historic City of Crockett is perched in the Hills above the San Pablo Bay and Carquinez Strait. Panoramic and expansive waterfront views are the norm here. Known affectionately as Sugar City thanks to the charming C&H sugar Factory, still operating today! This sweet city is experiencing a surge of arts and restaurants. With 8 Galleries in the downtown and several new retail boutiques opening within the last few years the scene downtown is hip and vibrant. Restaurants in town are not to be overlooked. The Dead Fish is a well known restaurant that attracts crowds from all over the Bay for its delectable dishes BUT the options don't end there. Wandas, a charming Bakery and Restaurant is delighting the region with their fresh Baked goods and artfully prepared lunch and dinner options-think fried chicken sandwich, salmon and asparagus etc. Lucia's sandwiches, right next to Wandas, has already made a name for itself across the region with sandwiches like squash blossom grilled cheese and ham with ricotta, arugula and apricot jam. They have already opened a second location in Martinez and received high accolades from Diablo Magazine among others.  Crockett is a short 10-minute drive across the Bridge into Vallejo and Mare Island where you can catch the Ferry to SF or 15 minutes to the nearest BART station! Other cities in the region are easy to visit the quaint Port Costa just a 5-minute drive across town and 12 minutes through the hills to Martinez. With charming vintage architecture downtown and newer homes in the hills there are different styles of homes to please anyone! Prices in the last year have ranged from $525k for a 3-bedroom home to 1.06m for a 14 bedroom 4 plex this up-and-coming city is still very affordable!

Mare Island 

Historic Core, A modern Future

This beautiful Island community surrounded by waters from the SF Bay, Carquinez strait and Napa River, was once off limits to the public. Now it is experiencing a new life and an exciting new modern future. The Bay Ferry already runs a direct line from its shores direct to SF, a short 45-minute commute for lucky inhabitants.  Mare Island Brewing breathed life into one of the old coal sheds and has been serving up good times and award-winning brews with stunning views ever since.  Vino Godfather, a wine tasting room, took over one of the breath-taking old Mansions that line Walnut St. Visit them any weekend for a flight of wine and live music while relaxing on their sprawling front porch under an old magnolia tree. Down the way Savage and Cooke Distillery offers craft whiskey cocktails and southern fried chicken in an old Naval base building that has been lovingly turned into the distillery and tasting room.  Visit the Island for The Wet mile and check out the exciting art studios across the island or take a hike to enjoy the beautiful views and amazing weather. Mare Island is a mix of old historic and industrial structures, new homes, and breathtaking nature trails. At the moment there are only about 1,078 people living on the islands sprawling grounds. The future of Mare Island is bright with a new home development in the works and new businesses beginning to enter the Island.  With prices soaring and space limited throughout the Bay Area Mare Island is destined for greatness.  In the last year there have been 34 sales. Homes sell in the range of $585k for a large nearly 1700 sf condo! To $925k for a new 3500 sf 5-bedroom home.

Martinez

Home of the Martini

This Gold Rush era waterfront community sits on the banks of the widest portion of the Strait. Surrounded by rolling Hills with expansive hiking trails and parks Martinez is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Wether hiking Mt. Wanda, exploring The John Muir National Historic Site, Hiking into Port Costa/Crockett, biking the bridge to Benicia, or just exploring the regional shoreline there are seemingly endless areas to explore and get lost all while retaining connection to the citys downtown core. The downtown core area has been energized by a new Rush of restaurants, breweries, craft bars and coffee houses. Weekends in the evening Main St is shut down to traffic so local restaurants can bring tables and bands into the streets. It is not uncommon to see 5 different bands playing in different spots throughout the downtown area on a Friday or Saturday night. The lively atmosphere has garnered Martinez a reputation as the place to go in the Bay for live music, as mentioned in several publications including SF Gate. Many wonderful restaurants have opened in Martinez over the last few years such as Roxx on main a farm to table restaurant with live music recently featured on Check Please Bay Area, Vic's a homestyle restaurant that brings the crowds and serves brunch through dinner with items like eggs benedict and braised pork shoulder and Taco daddy a new age taco spot serving high-end high-quality tacos in a casual environment. A new indoor public market recently opened downtown and houses many different eateries providing a cool yet casual space to hang out while enjoying. Just outside of downtown are 3 Martinez wineries! Pre prohibition Martinez was the equivalent of what Napa is Today. Grapes grow well here as is evidenced by the numerous people growing vineyards and the ever-increasing vineyards popping up on the back roads. Stop by an of the 3 wineries for a taste or a fun event. William Welch Wines, 1 off the 3, is even opening a tasting room in the downtown area. Beer and wine aren't the only libations you'll find here though.  The martini in particular is popular here, Why? Martinez is home to the Martini! Yes, the first Martini was made here. With such an iconic drink having its birthplace here it's no wonder there are fabulous craft bars here, Such as Barrell Aged and Bar Cava, and even a yearly martini competition. Homes around Martinez range from craftsman's, Victorians and Spanish revivals to Ranch style homes, Two stories, Split levels, and Estates. This Beautiful city has both very affordable and very luxurious homes depending on whatever you may be looking for. Prices range from $345k for a 1-bedroom condo to $2.9m for a sprawling estate and everything in-between. 

Port Costa

Small Town Big Vibes

The quaint town of Port Costa is home to only 242 people. Don't be fooled by how small the town is though there is still Alot going on here! Longtime home to the Warehouse, a popular bar and grill, and The Bull Valley Roadhouse, a well-known restaurant attracting foodies from all over the Bay Area for its delicious farm to table eats and eclectic decor. The Burlington Hotel, right next door to Bull Valley, is the longest running hotel in California and was once upon a time a brothel. Most recently an off the grid meets artists style park with business's operating out of vintage trailers has popped up. You can get a coffee, or a pizza, shop for soaps etc. and go sit at the Picinic benches to eat. The town is nestled in a valley between 2 steep hils in between Crockett and Martinez. You can easily hike into either town of the surrounding towns or take a 5–10-minute car ride. The popular Eckley Pier sits on their shores and was once home to brick factory. You feel lost in another place when your here, far away from the hustle and bustle of the busy and bursting Bay Area BUT only a 30-minute drive from Oakland. Homes don't come up often here . In the last year there have been 4 sales. 1 home sold for $480k and was the worst hoard house I've ever seen, 1 sold for 600k range and although dated was charming, 1 sold for 699k. Lastely 1 sold for 1.92m and was designed by architect Julia Morgan.