Richmond (California)

Though it was a booming industrial center during World War II, the subsequent decades were not kind to Richmond, California. Its thriving shipyards gave way to blight, and a reputation for violent crime kept visitors away. But in the 21st century crime has gone down, and a revitalization has begun. Richmond still isn't on any tourism shortlists, but its historic sites, nature, and strategic location between the East Bay and Marin County do attract some interest to this often-overlooked part of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Not to be confused with the Richmond district in San Francisco, California.

Areas of note include the charming and historic Point Richmond neighborhood on the bay in the southwest of Richmond, as well as the World War II sites at the southern edge of the city. This article also covers Richmond's near-enclave of San Pablo.

Get in

Richmond is served by I-80 from San Francisco, Vallejo and Sacramento, I-580 from Berkeley, Marin County and Oakland and Richmond Parkway skirting most of town as a bypass.

Public transportation is provided with an 🌍 inter-modal transit center comprising BART and Amtrak, with local buses run by AC Transit. BART connects Richmond directly to Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, and other parts of the Bay Area. (See also Bay Area public transit.) The Golden Gate Transit 580 bus runs from the San Rafael transit center in Marin.

  • Amtrak, 1700 Nevin Ave. Three Amtrak routes service Richmond: the California Zephyr, the Capitol Corridor, and the San Joaquins. It is in the same building as the BART station. There is no ticket service, no baggage checking, and no luggage assistance. (updated Jul 2022)

Get around

Some attractions are served by bus, but others aren't.

See
  • 🌍 Little Point Richmond (Fairy Houses), Washington Ave between Richmond Ave and Bishop Alley. Lots of intricate little fairy houses in and around the trees lining both sides of the street. A mysterious and delightful public art installation to add some magic and whimsy to your day. (updated Dec 2023)
  • 🌍 Marina Bay. 
  • 🌍 Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline (AC Transit bus 72M to Tewksbury Ave and Washington Ave, then walk down Washington to Belvedere Ave or Western Drive, either of which will take you to the park). Beautiful park in the Point Richmond neighborhood. The west side has quiet, easy walks along the bay and a picturesque lagoon. The east side has hilly hiking trails characteristic of the Bay Area, with great views of Marin to the west, the industrial and residential landscapes of Richmond to the east, Oakland and San Francisco to the south, and the San Pablo Bay to the north. If it's a clear day, you can even see Mount Diablo poking up above the ridge. The park also includes Keller Beach, a small strip of sand on the bay. (updated Dec 2023)
  • 🌍 Golden State Model Railroad Museum, Dornan Drive (inside Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline, past the Ferry Point Tunnel), ☏ +1 510-234-4884. Sa Su noon–4PM Oct-Dec, noon-5PM Apr-Sep. The Golden State Railroad Museum consists of 10,000 square feet (1,000 square meters) of detailed, intricate O, HO, and N scale train tracks. You will find 3 large railroad tracks, constructed and owned by the EBMES, with models of various landmarks along California's railroad system. Also has some informational signs about railroad engineering and construction. The more you look, the more there is to notice. Fun for small kids or if you're into model trains. Open Saturdays and Sundays, but the trains usually only run on Sundays. $5 for adults and children 12+, $3 for seniors and children 4-11, $10 for families, free for children under 4. (updated Dec 2023)
  • 🌍 Point Richmond Historic District. A number of historic buildings and the friendly, pint-sized Point Richmond History Museum. (updated Dec 2023)
  • 🌍 Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (visitor center can be reached by bus 74), ☏ +1 510 232-5050. Consists of Rosie the Riveter Memorial in Marina Bay Park, a visitor center in the Oil House, the Ford Assembly Plant, a museum and WWII shipyard, preserving and interpreting the stories and places of America's home front response to World War II. 

Do
  • 🌍 S.S Red Oak Victory Ship (Dornan Drive at Ferry Point, not served by public transit), ☏ +1 510-222-9200. Launched in 1944, and commissioned as the USS Red Oak Victory ship, the Red Oak is the only vessel built by the Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond, California that is being restored. This last remaining Boulder Class Victory saw service in the World War II, Korea and Vietnam has the distinction of being the only ship operated by both military and civilian personnel during career. 
  • 🌍 Masquers Playhouse, ☏ +1 510-232-4031. Community theater with 100 seats, located in Point Richmond on the east shore of the bay. The Masquers playhouse has been producing and showing plays for the last 50 years. They show 5 productions year round. (updated Apr 2024)
  • Point Richmond Music Festival. Many Jazz and music performances every Summer, every month June, July, August, and September. Live performances. The First Friday of every month. Starts at 5:30. 
  • 🌍 San Pablo Lytton Casino, 13255 San Pablo Ave, ☏ +1 510-215-7888. (updated Dec 2021)

Buy

Downtown Point Richmond has many shops and cafes.

  • 🌍 Annie's Annuals, 740 Market Ave. A local favorite, a nursery that specializes in rare, exotic, and down-right interesting plants. Annie's is so extensive, leave yourself a few hours to browse the entire operation. 

Eat
  • 🌍 Americana Pizza & Taqueria, 13350 San Pablo Ave Ste A4, ☏ +1 510-236-9005. Good take-out food, generous portions, good prices. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Diners Club, ATM. 24-hour delivery free with minimum $15.00 purchase (updated Jul 2022)
  • 🌍 Angelo's Gourmet Delicatessen, 12025 San Pablo Ave, ☏ +1 510-234-2485. Neighborhood deli with an extensive selection of good-quality sandwiches, with prices much lower than comparable delis in the Bay Area. (updated Jul 2022)
  • 🌍 Anh Restaurant & Bar, 1950 Esplanade Dr, ☏ +1 510-680-5292. Harborside restaurant serving Vietnamese, Thai, and Korean dishes. Accessible via the San Francisco Bay Trail. Indoor and outdoor seating available. (updated Aug 2022)
  • 🌍 Brezo, 1414 Harbour Way South (Located in Assemble Marketplace.), ☏ +1 510-215-6025. W-F 11:30AM-2PM, Sa Su 10AM-2PM. A breakfast and lunch restaurant on the marina. Reservations are suggested. (updated Jul 2022)
  • 🌍 Golden Gate Bistro, 803 Wright Ave Ste #101 (At the corner of Wright Avenue and Harbour Way South.), ☏ +1 510-374-6393. M-F 6AM-5PM, Sa 8AM-4PM, Closed Sunday. Local breakfast and lunch spot in the industrial area north of Marina Bay. Well-known in the area for their breakfast burritos, breakfast potatoes and watermelon lemonade. Order at the counter under the awning, seating is outdoor patio dining only. Patio has a foosball table. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Lara's Fine Dining, 1900 Esplanade Dr, ☏ +1 510-234-1860. Italian-American and seafood restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. (updated Jul 2022)
  • 🌍 Portumex, 721 23rd St, ☏ +1 510-237-7513. One of the few Mexican restaurants in the area to serve ceviche. (updated Jul 2022)
  • 🌍 Tommy's BBQ Company, 1414 Harbour Way South Ste 4000 (to the side of Assemble Marketplace), ☏ +1 510-860-7894. Th-Sa noon-7PM. Texas-style barbecue spot on the marina. (updated Jul 2022)

Sleep

Stay safe

Richmond has a reputation for high levels of crime. The safest parts of Richmond consist of Marina Bay and Point Richmond south of I-580, the Hilltop area north of San Pablo and much of East Richmond on the other side of I-80 or San Pablo Avenue at the most. Areas to exercise caution, and to avoid at night, are the Iron Triangle and Central Richmond near Cutting, McDonald and Barrett Avenues. These regional segments of Richmond are the reason behind its horrible reputation. In fact, the city used to rank with Compton as one of the worst cities in California statistically when it came to crime rate. However, these days it's a lot safer, even if it's not the most well-to-do city in the Bay.

Go next
Routes through Richmond
END ← Emeryville ←  W  E  → Martinez → Sacramento
Sacramento ← Martinez ←  N  S  → Berkeley → Emeryville
Bakersfield ← Martinez ←  N  S  → Emeryville → Oakland
END ←  NW  SE  → El Cerrito → Oakland
San Francisco ← El Cerrito ←  S  E  → Pinole → Sacramento
END ← San Rafael ←  NW  SE  → El Cerrito → Oakland


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