Guidebook for Martinez
Drinks & Nightlife
Great wine bar, with decent beer menu as well. Charcuterie, cheese, and small tapas plates right downtown.
12 locals recommend
Bar Cava Wine Bar & Eatery
718 Main StGreat wine bar, with decent beer menu as well. Charcuterie, cheese, and small tapas plates right downtown.
An amazing craft beer bar and bottle shop, with 21 taps and dozens of bottle options that you can enjoy on site or take home/to go. They have a very decent small food menu (sandwiches, cheese plate, pizza/flatbread, soups, pretzels). If that's not enough, they let you bring in outside food. Two large patios look out to Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord. Also kid-friendly.
13 locals recommend
The Hop Grenade
2151 Salvio StAn amazing craft beer bar and bottle shop, with 21 taps and dozens of bottle options that you can enjoy on site or take home/to go. They have a very decent small food menu (sandwiches, cheese plate, pizza/flatbread, soups, pretzels). If that's not enough, they let you bring in outside food. Two large patios look out to Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord. Also kid-friendly.
Lovely atmosphere, great drinks and tapas, and in the heart of downtown Walnut Creek
17 locals recommend
Telefèric Barcelona
1500 Mt Diablo BlvdLovely atmosphere, great drinks and tapas, and in the heart of downtown Walnut Creek
Faction Brewing
2501 Monarch StGreat views of the city, delicious beer.
The Rare Barrel
940 Parker StIf you like sour beer, you must go here.
Amazing brewery a little further afield, but worth the trek!
6 locals recommend
Heretic Brewing Company
1052 Horizon DrAmazing brewery a little further afield, but worth the trek!
New brewery that just opened downtown. Check hours before going.
11 locals recommend
Del Cielo Brewing Co.
701 Escobar StNew brewery that just opened downtown. Check hours before going.
New brewery that just opened. They are only open weekends (Fri, Sat, Sun) so check hours before going.
11 locals recommend
Five Suns Brewing
626 Escobar StNew brewery that just opened. They are only open weekends (Fri, Sat, Sun) so check hours before going.
Bourbon & Branch
501 Jones StGreat speakeasy, yummy cocktails.
If you're looking to see some up and coming musicians, check out The Independent's calendar of events and go check it out. Intimate venue in a fun neighborhood. Definitely worth checking out.
200 locals recommend
The Independent
628 Divisadero StIf you're looking to see some up and coming musicians, check out The Independent's calendar of events and go check it out. Intimate venue in a fun neighborhood. Definitely worth checking out.
Bar and music venue. Check out their events page for current events. It's a little out of the way in the Portrero neighborhood, but it's a fun place to hang out for live music.
70 locals recommend
Bottom of the Hill
1233 17th StBar and music venue. Check out their events page for current events. It's a little out of the way in the Portrero neighborhood, but it's a fun place to hang out for live music.
Food Scene
Jo's Honda Sushi
150 Longbrook WayDelicious, fresh sushi and lively staff. This place is low fuss but a lot of fun.
Katy's Kreek
1680 Locust StGreat place to go for breakfast/brunch!
Luigi's Deli and Market
537 Main StGreat place downtown to get a sandwich!
Is it late and did you forget to eat? Don't worry, Eureka! is open late. Vast craft beer and whisky selection. Delicious burgers, salads, and other American style food. On weekends, they do a nice Bloody Mary deal during Brunch.
26 locals recommend
Eureka!
2068 Center StIs it late and did you forget to eat? Don't worry, Eureka! is open late. Vast craft beer and whisky selection. Delicious burgers, salads, and other American style food. On weekends, they do a nice Bloody Mary deal during Brunch.
Hungry and want something quick? This is just up the hill and they have amazingly comforting and delicious Mexican food. To go is probably best but they do have tables if you want to sit down.
8 locals recommend
Cinco de Mayo
2250 Pacheco BlvdHungry and want something quick? This is just up the hill and they have amazingly comforting and delicious Mexican food. To go is probably best but they do have tables if you want to sit down.
Delicious Italian food. The atmosphere is very quiet for a sit down meal but it's a relaxing place to go. Also do orders to go. Just up the hill from the house.
Pasta Bella Ristorante
512 Center AveDelicious Italian food. The atmosphere is very quiet for a sit down meal but it's a relaxing place to go. Also do orders to go. Just up the hill from the house.
Lovely new restaurant on Main Street in Martinez. They have a lovely indoor/outdoor area that's fully covered from potential rain and a great space indoors. Food is flavorful and staff are friendly.
13 locals recommend
Troy
720 Main StLovely new restaurant on Main Street in Martinez. They have a lovely indoor/outdoor area that's fully covered from potential rain and a great space indoors. Food is flavorful and staff are friendly.
I LOVE this place. So delicious! They have tables for eating in restaurant. But more take-out friendly.
Yanni's Gyros & Burgers
1960 Concord AveI LOVE this place. So delicious! They have tables for eating in restaurant. But more take-out friendly.
Okini Sushi
2239 Alhambra AveYummy sushi. Small intimate dining area. Great for take out or eating in.
There will likely be a line out the door, but it's worth a wait. Yummy Chinese food.
41 locals recommend
House of Nanking
919 Kearny StThere will likely be a line out the door, but it's worth a wait. Yummy Chinese food.
Suppenküche
525 Laguna StAmazing German cuisine; family style seating. Yum!
Vegan Mexican food is a pretty interesting concept. They do it very well.
150 locals recommend
Gracias Madre
2211 Mission StVegan Mexican food is a pretty interesting concept. They do it very well.
Humphry Slocombe
Amazing range of flavors and delicious!
Located on the Embarcadero, this houses a ton of different restaurants and shops with amazing food and drink. Great views of the Bay Bridge as well.
679 locals recommend
Ferry Building Marketplace
Located on the Embarcadero, this houses a ton of different restaurants and shops with amazing food and drink. Great views of the Bay Bridge as well.
Yummy BBQ and an amazing beer list. Comfortable, casual, and comforting food.
7 locals recommend
Slow Hand BBQ
1941 Oak Park BlvdYummy BBQ and an amazing beer list. Comfortable, casual, and comforting food.
It's unlike you'll make it to remote Fairfax, CA, but if you find yourself in this neck of the woods, I highly recommend stopping into the town of Fairfax and checking out the shops and restaurants. In particular, Mas Masa is DELICIOUS with everything homemade and fresh. Lovely flavors!
35 locals recommend
Más Masa
31 Bolinas RdIt's unlike you'll make it to remote Fairfax, CA, but if you find yourself in this neck of the woods, I highly recommend stopping into the town of Fairfax and checking out the shops and restaurants. In particular, Mas Masa is DELICIOUS with everything homemade and fresh. Lovely flavors!
Delicious seafood dishes with a beautiful view. They also serve prime rib and brunch (but I personally haven't tried those). The crab is yummy, as is the clam chowder. Nice place to go for a fancier evening out while still not feeling too stuffy. Reservations recommended but not vital; depends on the day.
73 locals recommend
The Dead Fish
20050 San Pablo AveDelicious seafood dishes with a beautiful view. They also serve prime rib and brunch (but I personally haven't tried those). The crab is yummy, as is the clam chowder. Nice place to go for a fancier evening out while still not feeling too stuffy. Reservations recommended but not vital; depends on the day.
Some of the best Indian food I have had in the Bay Area. Great location too if you want to walk around the quaint streets of Benicia afterwards.
10 locals recommend
Aroma Indian Cuisine
818 1st StSome of the best Indian food I have had in the Bay Area. Great location too if you want to walk around the quaint streets of Benicia afterwards.
Sightseeing
John Muir National Historic Site
4202 Alhambra AveIconic tourist spot in SF. It is very touristy but it's lovely to walk around, see the shops, the bay, and the marine life.
416 locals recommend
Pier 39
The EmbarcaderoIconic tourist spot in SF. It is very touristy but it's lovely to walk around, see the shops, the bay, and the marine life.
Center of the long-gone hippie culture of the 1960s, this trendy neighborhood is now a whole new scene with upscale boutiques, Internet cafes and hip restaurants.
379 locals recommend
Haight-Ashbury
Center of the long-gone hippie culture of the 1960s, this trendy neighborhood is now a whole new scene with upscale boutiques, Internet cafes and hip restaurants.
Hayes Valley is a haven for haute couture, with trendy fashion boutiques, SoHo-style art galleries, top-notch restaurants and hip nightspots.
223 locals recommend
Hayes Valley
Hayes Valley is a haven for haute couture, with trendy fashion boutiques, SoHo-style art galleries, top-notch restaurants and hip nightspots.
The Castro is one of San Francisco's most vibrant communities, saturated with popular bars and top restaurants, as well as home to the Castro Theatre. LGBTQIA capital of the world.
293 locals recommend
The Castro
The Castro is one of San Francisco's most vibrant communities, saturated with popular bars and top restaurants, as well as home to the Castro Theatre. LGBTQIA capital of the world.
Essentials
Nob Hill Foods
520 Center AveBig Wave Laundromat
1801 Sutter StEntertainment & Activities
Contra Costa Stadium Cinemas
555 Center AveLeather reclining seats, reserved seating.
Paddock Bowl
5915 Pacheco BlvdA little run down, but a cheap and fun place to go bowling locally.
Plan ahead and book a painting class in downtown Walnut Creek. Enjoy an evening painting and drinking wine and be surprised by how talented you are.
Canvas and Cabernet
1444 S Main StPlan ahead and book a painting class in downtown Walnut Creek. Enjoy an evening painting and drinking wine and be surprised by how talented you are.
Great, interactive exhibits. They also do a "nightlife" on Thursday evenings for those 21 and older. You can buy drinks and listen to music while you enjoy the marine life and animals.
816 locals recommend
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse DrGreat, interactive exhibits. They also do a "nightlife" on Thursday evenings for those 21 and older. You can buy drinks and listen to music while you enjoy the marine life and animals.
This is an amazing and interactive space with so much to see and do. You could spend hours in there. Interesting exhibits on the bay too.
432 locals recommend
Exploratorium
Green StreetThis is an amazing and interactive space with so much to see and do. You could spend hours in there. Interesting exhibits on the bay too.
Parks & Nature
Briones Regional Park
2537 Reliez Valley RdWithin walking distance from Redwood Manor, this up hill trail leads to gorgeous views of Martinez.
Mount Wanda
Within walking distance from Redwood Manor, this up hill trail leads to gorgeous views of Martinez.
You can walk around this reservoir in 1-2 hours. Kid and dog friendly.
70 locals recommend
Lafayette Reservoir
You can walk around this reservoir in 1-2 hours. Kid and dog friendly.
Baker Beach
Great view of Golden Gate Bridge.
Lands End Trail
Lands End TrailGreat place to go for a leisurely hike.
Getting Around
Concord Station
1451 Oakland AveThis station is approx. 10-12 minutes drive from the house.
This station is approx. 20 minute drive from house, but gets you two stops closer if you're heading to San Francisco/Oakland.
24 locals recommend
Bart Lafayette station
3601 Deer Hill RdThis station is approx. 20 minute drive from house, but gets you two stops closer if you're heading to San Francisco/Oakland.
If you want a more scenic trip to San Francisco, this is the way to do it. Drive to Vallejo and then take the approx. 1 hour ferry. Wi-fi available on board.
69 locals recommend
Vallejo Ferry station
289 Mare Island WayIf you want a more scenic trip to San Francisco, this is the way to do it. Drive to Vallejo and then take the approx. 1 hour ferry. Wi-fi available on board.