Believed by some to be the birthplace of the martini, Martinez overlooks the Carquinez Strait in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was established as a ferry port in 1847 before becoming a stopping point en route to the California Gold Rush. Martinez is named after the Californio ranchero Ygnacio Martínez, who played an important role in the development of Contra Costa County.
Things to do in Martinez
Automotive enthusiasts can visit The Cobra Experience, which is dedicated to the preservation of cars produced by Shelby American. In addition to admiring the classic cars on display, you can watch a film about the history of Shelby American, which was founded by the race car driver Carroll Shelby in 1962.
Nearby is the John Muir National Historic Site, which honours the life and legacy of one of the most famous conservationists in the United States. It features a beautifully preserved Italianate Victorian mansion where Muir once lived, surrounded by native grasslands and oak woodlands. Admire the antique windmill and farm wagon on display before joining a ranger-led nature walk around Mount Wanda.
Dominating the waterfront of Martinez is the Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline, which encompasses several ponds known for their birdwatching. In addition to bocce ball courts, sporting fields and a skate park, this recreational space is traversed by the long-distance San Francisco Bay Trail. Further west is the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, which offers magnificent views of the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge.
Getting around Martinez
Martinez is around an hour’s drive from Oakland and just under two hours from San Francisco International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Martinez railway station and buses travel throughout the city. Renting a car is the most convenient way of exploring the area.