Welcome to Pinole
It many ways, Pinole real estate is the perfect representation of a northern California city. Pushed against San Pablo Bay, the city has a respectable waterfront district, rolling hills, and mild weather patterns. Historically, the city also fits the traditional California narrative; small industrial town that benefited from the railroad and the post World War II housing boom. While the city currently functions as a bedroom community for San Francisco and Oakland, it is also home to a wide range of commercial endeavors and outdoors activities.
Lay of the Land
Positioned along the eastern edge of Contra Costa County, Pinole’s proximity to the San Pablo Bay makes is a true Bay Area community. Hercules to the north is the most significant neighbor in that direction while Richmond is its largest southern neighbor. Additionally, several unincorporated rural communities populate the open spaces surrounding Pinole. The number of residents commuting to San Francisco has driven the average household income of the city’s 18,902 residents well above the state average, at $77,653. However, the relaxed economic conditions of Contra Costa County mean that median home values have stay within state norms, at $358,700.
Transportation
Despite the rural nature of Contra Costa County, Pinole’s proximity to the Bay Area means that it is a relatively well connected city with regards to transportation. Interstate 80, which passes through the center of town, connects to Vallejo and Sacramento in the north while providing access to Oakland and San Francisco in the south. State Highway 4, which connects to the Interstate just north of town, connects the western section of the county to the central and eastern regions.
Public transportation for the city is provided primarily by the Western Contra Costa County Transit Authority. WestCAT organizes a series of bus lines which operate between the cities on the eastern edge of the San Pablo Bay. Additionally, it also operates several bus lines out of the nearby city of Hercules which connect directly to San Francisco and other Bay Area Rapid Transit stations. Finally, Pinole is extremely close to both the San Francisco International Airport and the Oakland International Airport.
Local Highlights
Despite its function as a bedroom community, Pinole is more commercially oriented than many of the cities in the area. Fitzgerald Avenue is a section of the city primarily known for its “big box” shopping district as well as plethora of smaller nationally recognized retail chains and eateries. Additionally, the city is also home to the Pinole Vista Shopping Center. While it also contains a wide range of nationally recognizable shopping locations and eateries, it is more focused on smaller locations and even contains several locally operated retail establishments.
Pinole is also a city focused on supporting community members through a wide range of municipal programs and well maintained parks and recreational areas. Overall, the city maintains over 275 acres of dedicated parkland and recreational areas. These include numerous neighborhood parks which take advantage of the natural geography and shoreline as well as the sprawling Pinole Valley Park. Pinole Valley features a wide range of amenities, including picnic areas and numerous athletic fields.
Finally, the city is also adjacent to the Point Pinole Regional Shoreline. The shoreline is over 2,315 acres of wooded hills, picturesque shoreline, and groves of eucalyptus trees. The variety of habitats in the protected space means that it houses over 100 different species of bird in addition to the diverse array of plant species. Point Pinole is one of the more developed state parks in the area, with a dedicated fishing pier, park shuttle service, dedicated campgrounds, and restroom facilities. The park also supports hiking, biking, horseback riding, and general sightseeing.
