Concord: Gardens, Trails and History

Concord offers several distinct themes to consider when planning a stay: garden areas, multi-use trails, a historic gathering place in the city center and a site connected to the history of World War II. The information below can help you decide what to focus on during your visit before choosing a hotel in Concord.

Gardens and Outdoor Trails

Markham Nature Park and Arboretum covers 17 acres and is located near the center of Concord. Plants from similar climate zones grow in the International Garden. The active Community Garden cultivates edible plants and pollinator plants year-round. For garden enthusiasts, these offer two distinct approaches: plants grouped by climate zone, and plants grown for food and pollinators.

The Iron Horse Regional Trail runs for 32 miles between Concord and Pleasanton. When completed, the route was listed as 32 miles long in 2014. The paved trail begins in Concord near Highway 4 and is suitable for cyclists, hikers, joggers and runners.

The Contra Costa Canal Regional Trail is a paved multi-use trail connecting Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek and Concord. It is wheelchair-accessible and suitable for horseback riders, cyclists, hikers, joggers and runners. When comparing the two trails, different planning details may be useful: the Iron Horse Trail is noted for its connection to Pleasanton and its starting point near Highway 4, while the Canal Trail is noted for its paved surface, its connection between four cities and its wheelchair accessibility.

Todos Santos Plaza: History and Events

Todos Santos Plaza is a historic, 2.5-acre gathering place in the center of Concord. Its founders, Pacheco and Galindo, dedicated it in 1869. The Historical Walking Tour is a self-guided walk through the historic plaza. This makes the plaza’s history a distinct topic to include in your visit plans.

Concord’s Farmers Market takes place in the plaza year-round on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. From June through September, evening hours are also offered on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Music and Market also takes place there every Thursday evening from June through September. Since the seasonal Thursday hours may change, check the dates for your visit before you go.

Todos Santos Plaza is an eight-minute walk from Concord BART Station; the route goes straight along Grant Street. This is a specific wayfinding detail for anyone who wants to include the plaza in their plans.

Historic Sites and Memorial Access

The Francisco Galindo Home was built in 1856 for Don Francisco Galindo and his wife, Maria Dolores Manuela (Pacheco) Galindo. The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial in Concord marks the site of the Port Chicago explosion, the worst disaster on U.S. soil during World War II. The memorial site covers five acres within Military Ocean Terminal Concord in California.

Public access to the memorial is by guided tour, which must be reserved two weeks in advance. Tours take place on Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays, begin at 12:30 p.m. and last 1.5 hours. The schedule is subject to military operations. Check tour dates before making plans.

Discover more destinations: Bethel Island, Richmond, Brentwood, Pleasant Hill, Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Pacheco, San Ramon.

For the broader travel overview: Contra Costa.