California's Affordable Napa Valley Alternative Is A Bay Area Beauty Full Of Hikes, Shops, And Local Flavor

When planning a getaway to Northern California, the typical destinations quickly come to mind, from the street energy of San Francisco to the renowned wine estates of Napa and Sonoma. For those in the know, however, an unpretentious alternative awaits. Contra Costa County is an authentic Bay Area beauty full of hikes, shops, and local flavor at a more affordable price point.

Picture the San Francisco Bay, with its namesake city to the west and cities like Oakland and Berkeley to the east. Move deeper into the East Bay, and you'll find Contra Costa County. The name means "opposite coast" in Spanish, a literal reference to its location across the bay from San Francisco, and it includes potentially familiar names such as Concord, Antioch, Walnut Creek, Brentwood, Richmond, and the county seat, Martinez.

While less popular than San Francisco and Napa Valley, these cities offer character and charm that's deeply rooted in local culture, and the surrounding nature includes miles of unspoiled shoreline and uncrowded hiking trails, with several near Mt. Diablo. Still, it's the county's rich wine-making legacy with notable vineyards such as Shadowbrook Vineyard, Serendipity Cellars, and Deer Hill Vineyards, among others, that make Contra Costa County a true alternative to Napa Valley.

Napa Valley is home to big-name vineyards like Silver Oak, Caymus, Opus One, and the ultra-elite Screaming Eagle, but the price for bottles and tastings can be high. By contrast, Contra Costa County is not commonly associated with wine tourism, which helps keep prices lower, even if it's a historic AVA (American Viticultural Area) with a pedigree that dates back more than a century. The region was actually a prolific powerhouse until 1920 when the industry crashed into a wall known as Prohibition.

With alcohol banned from coast to coast, many vineyards abandoned their vines in favor of fruit crops such as cherries and pears. A few brave souls continued to produce grapes, for juice, jams, or maybe speakeasies, and traces of its past include century-old plantings of Zinfandel, Mourvèdre, and Carignan. Many of the vineyards are concentrated near eastern towns like Brentwood and Oakley, where the sandy terroir produces small, concentrated grapes with thick skins. The resulting wines are commonly described as rustic, earthy, and complex, possessing firm tannins and excellent structure. This distinctive style contrasts the polished labels often found in the Napa Valley, and the nicer price points has led to a revival in the local viniculture.

Venture beyond the vines, and you'll find a nature lover's dream in Contra Costa. Richmond, an under-the-radar city 16 miles northeast of San Francisco, is home to 32 miles of serene shoreline and the Wildcat Canyon Regional Park with 25 miles of trails. These paths wind through rolling hills and provide stunning vistas and a welcome sense of solitude. According to online user ratings, some of the more popular hikes include the Lafayette Reservoir loop, the Arroyo Trail, and Meadows Canyon, among many others. Then there's Mt. Diablo State Park, where tarantula season is one of its main draws for some and probably a real-life horror show for others. Like the vineyards, these outdoor areas offer an alternative to the hilltop hiking and camping spots in Napa and Sonoma.

Contra Costa County's charms also extend to authenticity. You won't find overcrowded attractions like San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, arguably "the world's worst tourist trap," but you will find local shopping and dining experiences. The Pacific East Mall is a local favorite for Asian cuisine and specialty shops.

For those arriving by air, the closest major airport is Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, and the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) network easily connects you to cities across Contra Costa County. For those who prefer rail, Amtrak lines like the Coast Starlight and California Zephyr stop in Martinez.