I have been using the Contra Costa Libraries for years, since 2011. I have been to the following…read morelibraries: Bay Point El Sobrante Hercules Lafayette Moraga Orinda Pleasant Hill Walnut Creek This review is about the library administration itself in Martinez, and not about any particular library. I used to check out books, but now just go primarily to work on my laptop. Well, I just received an email (see my pic) today, Thursday, May 9, 2019, from the administration at Contra Costa Library that says all accounts which have not been used for three years will be closed May 20. To prevent this, you must visit any library and reactivate your card. This is all good, but pretty short notice, especially if you are currently out of the area like I am. I am not happy. As stated above, I still use the libraries, and have gone as recently as last week to work on my laptop, but I haven't checked anything out in a while. If I can't reactivate by the 20th, I have to re-apply all over again. Ugh. 30 days notice or more would have been preferable. Do you just decide to do things, forget to tell people, then do it anyway on short notice? This sounds like an undisciplined and impulsive organization you are running. The same thinking applied when you and Contra Costa County District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff decided to close the Pleasant Hill Library two years before building its replacement, just so you could possibly get more money for the land. This is bizarre. Haven't you heard that real estate prices usually go up every year? Sure, you will have a mini-library at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, but that location will not offer many of the same services and make it difficult for the seniors who already use the facility. This was another short-sighted, dictatorial, and willy-nilly decision made without consulting the public first. For more information about this fiasco, see these articles: https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2019/04/09/controversy-over-pleasant-hill-library-closure-continues/ http://claycord.com/2019/03/14/plans-to-close-pleasant-hill-library-leads-to-controversy-during-supes-meeting/ https://patch.com/california/pleasanthill/controversy-continues-over-pleasant-hill-library-project https://www.ci.pleasant-hill.ca.us/1226/Library-Project On the positive, their online account system works well. I just logged into today for the first time in a while and see they have upgraded to a new system. They also offer free or low-cost tickets to museums, theaters, science centers, and zoos through their Discover & Go affiliation. Email communication with them has been good as well.

This community college library is located on the DVC Pleasant Hill campus (DVC also has a satellite…read morecampus in San Ramon, but without a library). It's been updated in regard to technology, but the study tables, etc. remain the same. Online access to the library and peripheral resources is excellent! The computer lab and the classroom at the far end of the library are nice and new and set up to promote a positive learning environment. You can also get a DVC Connect Card at the circulation desk if you don't want to go to the Student Life Office. The students who staff the library are nice and helpful.

This library is strange…read more I have a like/ hate relationship with it. I like the copy machine and the printers, which saved me enough times as a student. The staples are free and all you have to do is load your card up with monies and you can use them any time you need. I hate being brought here for class "field trips" because beyond forced here for them, I never once used this library for any sort of research. Thats what the internet's is for. Duh. I like they wanted to teach us how to use the online site to look up information, because coming through those security doorways always hurt my ears so I never got into falling asleep here like others. I hate that there are no liquids allowed in here. I always had to hide my hot chocolate when making copies. And you ain't really lived until you've spilled hot chocolate in a library. I like that I never have to come here again... no wait... love. I love that I never have to come here again.

Libraries are good!…read more They help our community by providing books, education, and classes to better ourselves. We can support Libraries by donating books for their books sales or making a cash donation. We can help each other by keeping the noise level low or volunteer to help someone read.

This library is exceptional. All the employees there are great. I have seen Joanne most of the…read moretime she is extremely helpful. Law libraries can be a little intimidating. Joanne goes out of her way to make sure people really understand, offers many suggestions on finding information, and is very willing to take more questions. That is the kind of person any library needs. Thanks Joanne.

Great service & resources. The Director, Carey Rowan, and the staff are always ready to assist you…read morewith your legal research. In addition to print resources, the Library has computers available with the most up-to-date legal databases, such as Lexis and Westlaw. You can also find information about workshops in the County, e.g., Bankruptcy workshop, Domestic Violence and Unlawful Detainer.

I randomly came across the John Muir National Historic Site, and I'm so glad I did!…read more You first enter through the visitor center, where I happened to overhear a gentleman at the desk telling another guest about the property and a tour happening at 11am. This was on a random Thursday, and luckily, it was 10:55am! So naturally, I decided to stick around for the tour lol. You walk up a short path to John Muir's house, where a docent leads a quick tour that's about 20-25 minutes. Afterward, you're free to explore the rest of the house, including the second and third floors, at your own pace. I especially enjoyed reading about the lives of John Muir's in-laws, wife, and daughters, which gave the house a more personal feel. The top-floor bell tower was a fun surprise -- you can actually ring the bell! I also enjoyed walking around the rest of the property and seeing all the different fruit trees that were planted there. Overall, I really enjoyed my visit. It's always cool stumbling across a local historic site and getting to learn a little more about the history of the area. Definitely worth a stop if you're nearby!

4.4 stars We all…read moreknow some of his famous quotes: "The mountains are calling and I must go." "Going to the mountains is going home." "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." According to Brittanica, John Muir was largely responsible for the establishment of Sequoia National Park and Yosemite National Park. Muir was a preservationist that didn't agree with allowing industries to harvest resources within the national parks. He was able to swing public and congressional opinion in favor of national forest reservations through his writing, which led to the establishment of Mt. Rainier National Park in 1899 and Grand Canyon National Park in 1919. His home became John Muir National Historic Site in 1964. Much of the exhibits within the home discusses his personal life and achievements. He was the eldest of 8 children, immigrated to the U.S. in 1849, and he married Louie Wanda Strentzel in 1880. He and his wife had 2 daughters named Wanda and Helen. In his lifetime, he has written 300 articles and 10 books, which can be purchased online and at Muir Woods National Monument and Bear Valley Visitor's Center. I highly recommend visiting this site if you'd like more information :) there's a lot more details here.

It's one of those small towns (clustered with many other small towns) most people haven't even…read moreheard of. Located about half hour or so north of Oakland, it boasts that "sleepy town" aura. And that's because it is. Hubbers and I were coming through from a gig at Concord and we thought, as many times as we've driven by, why haven't we actually stopped by? It became a no-brainer to find a spot here for lunch. We parked on Main and decided to walk around and figure out lunch once we see a menu we liked. It was pretty laid back on a late lunch-ish afternoon. There were a few interesting eateries offering various plates (Thai, Mexican, Italian, etc.) There was even a brewery. And then there's Market and Main (we would've grubbed here, but the place we wanted to try wasn't open yet.) There are shops as well including an art gallery. Interesting. So if you're in the mood to explore a small town on a slow pace, this might be a good place to do it. TIP: Parking was free for 2 hours on the weekend. Score!

I don't regret moving here, though sometimes I'm tempted to move a bit closer to Oakland/work…read moreagain, but Martinez is a lovely town and it would be hard to lose some of the benefits for convenience. The only real con besides comparing it to my old commute from Alameda, is the heat. The summer is tough for me but it's not nearly as hot as my year in Sac, and THAT commute was brutal. I chose to relocate two summers ago to a place closer to my work again, but still on the Amtrak trainline, so that I could still hop on the train to work towards Richmond/Oakland or to visit my daughter in Sac. My train (Sac to Oak) stopped at the Martinez station every day for a year and it had really good vibes there so I wanted to check it out more one weekend once i realized how exhausting and impossible to continue long-term my commute was. Martinez was kind of love at first sight & felt like the best option at the time, I'm pretty happy here.Breaking it down... Cons - Too hot in summer (although not many bugs..Sac had a TON). Can only really go out mornings/late evenings. - A little far to work (I don't want to drive-traffic, parking etc so I take 2 trains: Amtrak then Bart) - Not quite as diverse as other parts of the bay from what I've seen. Someone keyed/scratched out my BLM and Biden/Harris bumper stickers early on. That's never happened to me anywhere else. - A large homeless population, far more than you'd expect for a small town, many at the Amtrak station. Really sad, the desperation & suffering. Some stay there after being released from the jail down the street/nowhere to go (Our gov/society needs to do better as a whole but that could be its own blog) Pros - Cost: Cheaper rent than rest of East Bay. I rent a small cottage w/a washer/dryer (having those is huge to me, i've always had to go to a laundromat or shared laundry room) & super quiet (halleelujah-Sac was super noisy/non-stop bass) so i get much better sleep here. All for less $$ than any 1 bdrm elsewhere in the bay. - Friendly people/neighbors who really keep an eye out. And most are really considerate/quiet. - Close to Concord, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, lots of great restaurants/shopping - Fall weather is perfect. I wish it stayed like this year-round. - Beautiful downtown on par with Alameda (but neither is as nice as Davis tbh, thats hard to top) - the historical preservation/look of beautiful old buildings, outdoor dining, lights, nice restaurants, weekly farmers market, lots of boutiques and salons - A nice newly renovated Amtrak station, fairly safe and several train options both directions. Free parking with pass for window from office. I often see trotting or grazing deer at the station in the mornings (fall/winter mostly) and raccoons. - North Concord/Martinez BART station is here, it's gorgeous & one of the safest/nicest/cleanest in the system. Lots of parking. (I'd just take Bart to work ideally, but Amtrak is so much closer to me) - Library programs (lots) & quarterly $5 bag of book sales (if you like to read/collect books) - A lot of nature, large parks, and extensive hiking trails + the bay/water beautiful views -great location I haven't been here too long and wasn't born here, so I'm sure I left out a lot - but the pros far outweigh the cons IMHO. This is def. one of the nicest cities in the bay. A hidden gem that is easy to overlook because it sits on the outskirts.

If you want to learn the history of Martinez (1800-1909s) this is the place. The museum is small…read morebut has so much to share! They've done a great job in their set up and displays. Very easy to follow. The museum has two floors packed with past and current Martinez information. I like how they break it by subject making it easy to follow.

This museum is small, but mighty, and is chock full of local history!…read more Located in the historic two-story 1890 Borland home on the corner of Escobar Street and Court Street, it's a must-visit if you're a resident of CoCo County. Thanks to the Martinez Historical Society -- plus volunteers -- they saved the building from being demolished! The museum is staffed by volunteers who grew up in Martinez, saw it change and grow throughout the decades, and can give you an "old-timer's" first-person account of where and how things used to be : ) For example, did you know that Martinez was THE place to go for shopping and people watching? Or that numerous historic buildings and historic building elements were torn down in the name of modernity? Check out the old photos and memorabilia forever immortalizing past Martinez residents and enjoy local found items from the Ohlone and Bay Miwok. You can tour the small museum with the volunteers as your guide, or simply walk through on your own. But you'd be missing out on the best part of the visit : ) *Note: Make sure you sign in, in the guest book, pick up a few brochures for local historic sites, and contribute a donation in an envelope.

I'm not visiting, it's actually business, so it's a little awkward reviewing this place. The…read morelocation was a little off the beaten path but once here there was plenty of parking, though it was a Saturday. The inside was tidy, more like a business office than anything else.

I have no idea why someone would "review" the county juvenile facility! But, since they did, I…read morewill put my two cents in... Unless you are volunteering in the library, visiting family members incarcerated, or have legal business, you won't get in! Located right near a lot of other county offices (not "off the beaten path!), it is easy to find, and in all the time I volunteered in their library I never had a problem parking. Of course it was "neat and tidy," like a "business office!" It is clean, well run. The youth are fortunate to have a library with a librarian, as most Juvenile facilities do not. (That is why I give it a 5) When there are volunteers (hint, hint!) the can have access to the Internet for research for when they get out, on colleges, etc. If you have children sent here, be reassured. The employees I was in contact with were kind and understanding. The kids even attend school.

Lots of details about this interesting corner of the Bay Area provided by our guide Dan G. He was a…read morewealth of information, pretty funny and as a local was able to share a lot of perspective on the islands changes. Great day trip and I wish we had more time to poke around.

Wonderful tour led by Jim. History + nature! A great morning spent on the island…read more For people who are looking to visit the Naval Museum on the island, it is no longer open, but this tour is operative and you get to see the naval chapel and walk around the area. I was originally looking for information about the museum and arrived at this page: https://www.mihpf.org/tours. I hope this will help you find their tour options and dates! All digitalized, no fuss. And it turns out I was the only who signed up for today's tour, and they did not cancel on me because of that. I really really appreciated it. One last thing, the money you spend on the tour goes into helping this foundation : ) Yay!