Antioch

Unlike those in the Hercules Neighborhood of West Contra Costa who sit by the shoreline, properties in East Contra Costa are far — nearly 50 miles — from the San Francisco Bay and city. “Here’s the key though, a lot of people are working from home these days. Instead of renting somewhere small in Silicon Valley, they can buy their own big house somewhere like East Contra Costa,” says Realtor David Azimi of Intero Real Estate Services, who specializes in the Bay Area. Defined by its agricultural community and open spaces, you can find a quiet home here on lots of land in a modest-to-the-area price range. <br><br>Even though many properties in East Contra Costa — namely ranch-style mansions and sprawling Spanish Revival estates — travel toward the millions, you can still find a four-bedroom residence here for around $600,000 or a mobile home for under $200,000. Houses in the area are situated among rolling hills and within pocketed subdivisions. Though most are landlocked, one coveted suburb in East Contra Costa radiates out from Summer Lake. In this community, you’ll find modern split-levels that range from $600,000 to $800,000. If you purchase a lakefront house, it may cost upwards to $900,000, and with it you'll gain a small doc to launch a canoe or kayak from. Long driveways and privacy gates are common on larger estates which are also often surrounded by palm trees. <br><br>As the area is not short on land, parks and hiking trails are virtually everywhere. Summer Lake residences have their own small green space with a playground. The 20,000-acre Mount Diablo State Park also cuts through East Contra Costa and you’ll want to spend at least half a day there. Camp on the grounds and visit in the springtime to witness fields of wildflowers. Rock city – a one mile hike within the park often called the “trail through time” — is known for its ancient wind caves. The mountain central to Mount Diablo, from which it derives its name, takes 8 to 9 hours to hike, but you can also drive to the summit. The Black Diamond mines near Mount Diablo host naturalist programs for the whole family — including a “tarantula table talk,” “signs of fall scavenger hunt” and a “mini miners” discovery day for children under five. <br><br>Dairy, fruit and vegetables are all cultivated here on East Contra Costa’s farmlands. If you couldn’t pick something off a vine, it just wouldn’t make sense. The area has a selection of U-Pick Farms where neighbors can harvest their own produce, and locals flock there. Safeway, 5 miles away in Clayton Valley, is a safe bet when you want more options. You’ll also find a children’s dentistry there, tons of restaurants and a shopping center. La Chata Mexican Grill, known for its fresh tacos and Quesabirrias, is among Clayton Valleys restaurants. Walnut Creek, an urban anchor of Contra Costa County, is also 20-miles away. You’ll find a mix of upscale shopping along its Broadway Plaza. California State Route 4 travels through Contra Costa, taking you east to west for 197 miles – a stretch of which runs along the tranquil Sierra Nevada Mountains. You will need a car here as the area is so vast and spread out. The nearest airport is Oakland International, 40 miles east via California State Route 24. <br><br>“You’ll get a lot for your money in East Contra Costa, including a great school system,” Azimi says. One of the districts serving the area is the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. This pipeline includes Creekside Elementary School, Diablo Vista Middle School and San Ramon Valley High School. The elementary school earns an A-plus rating from Niche and the middle and high schools score an A. The high school has several clubs that improve student life, including a journalism club for aspiring writers. <br><br>If you want a quiet life with country charms outside city limits, East Contra Costa might be home.

When asked what draws people to settle in Lone Tree Valley, Michael Gallegos, a loan officer with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation and current resident, starts a list: "It's family-friendly, there's a lot of shopping close by, the schools are close. It’s really affordable, too, compared to other part of the Bay Area. You get more house for your money.” In a part of the Golden State that can feel congested and overly expensive, many Bay Area buyers are looking to spread out a bit, which is why they’re drawn to this community located in southern Antioch. “It’s just really nice,” Gallegos says.<br><br>Throughout Lone Tree Valley, subdivisions like Deer Valley Estates, Cielo at Sand Creek and Black Diamond Canyon brim with contemporary homes built in the 1990s, early 2000s and 2020s. House sizes and styles range from compact bungalows and ramblers to sprawling Millennial Mansions, most with low-pitched roofs, two-car garages and lots of windows to let in the sunshine. Front yards can be on the small side, but there’s still plenty of space for landscaped grass and colorful plants. Backyards are roomy enough for pools or big patios. Trees line the quiet streets where kids ride their bikes along the cul-de-sacs, and sidewalks are plentiful for those days when residents want to get a little exercise after dinner. Prices range from $520,000 for 1,400 square feet to $1.1 million for 4,000 square feet. <br><br>Area kids start their education at Lone Tree Elementary School and then move on to Dallas Ranch Middle School and Deer Valley High School. Lone Tree Elementary scores a C-plus on Niche, while Dallas Ranch Middle and Deer Valley High score a C and B-plus, respectively. Deer Valley High serves about 1,700 students from ninth through 12th grade and has a student-teacher ratio of 21-to-1. It offers multiple clubs and organizations to join, including Art Club, French Club and Tabletop Games Club. For families considering private education for their kids, there is one faith-based school in the area, Heritage Baptist Academy, which serves kindergarten through 12th grade. <br><br>The Contra Loma Reservoir is bustling in the summer, with residents looking to get outside in the fresh air. “It’s really popular,” Gallegos says. “You can take your boat out, which a lot of people do.” According to Gallegos, the cluster of parks near the reservoir is popular, too. Next to the water, Contra Loma Regional Park boasts year-round fishing and swimming in the summer, plus tennis courts and a playground. Next door, Worth Shaw Community Park is often bustling with packed athletic fields and picnic areas. And at the Lone Tree Golf Course, a public course off Golf Course Road, enthusiasts play its 18 holes solo or join a league and play with their friends. <br><br>Lone Tree Valley offers easy access to major amenities like the Antioch Water Park, where locals go during the summer to cool off. The park offers multiple water slides and splash pools, as well as a shallow pool for the little ones. In nearby Brentwood, locals flock to AMC Brentwood 14 to kick back and watch the latest blockbuster movie. Kaiser Permanente’s Antioch medical center is conveniently located in the community, off Sand Creek Road, for all medical needs.<br><br>Shopping is convenient, thanks to the many shopping centers that offer everything to complete weekly errands. There are large grocery chains Safeway, FoodMaxx and Raley’s, along with Walmart and Home Depot, plus services like dentists, optometrists and banks. For dining, residents take advantage of a mix of restaurants, from familiar favorites like Taco Bell and Burger King to neighborhood hangouts like Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill, where they gather to indulge in pub grub and watch the game.<br><br>Conveniently located along State Route 4 to the east, commuting into the rest of Antioch, Oakland and San Francisco often starts there. Locals who’d rather take public transportation pick up the Bay Area Railway Transit (BART) train just a few miles north of the community.