Are you planning to explore Martinez, California as a tourist? Here, we’ve chosen the 15 best things to do in Martinez that you must do to make the most of your trip.
Martinez is a city in Contra Costa County, located in San Francisco’s East Bay in California. The town was established in 1894, making it the oldest town in California. It has around 40,000 residents in the central region of the city.
The city is well connected to various famous cities, such as Oakland (17 km), Stockton (46 km), San Francisco (23 km), San Jose (49 km), etc.
A well-known personality, John Muir, has been living in Martinez since 1915 and has devoted his whole life to expanding the idea of land preservation.
One can find a large number of unique shops as well as some beautiful buildings that date back to World War 1 in this beautiful city.
There are also several worth exploring sites in the city that are beautiful and charming that one cannot miss while visiting Martinez.
Here are 15 best things to do in Martinez that anyone visiting the city should not miss if they actually want to make the most of their trip.
Best Things to do in Martinez, California
1. John Muir National Historic Site
The John Muir National Historic Site is a public park that was established in honor of John Muir, who is the most famous naturalist in America.
The home has an Italianate Victorian style and consists of 14 rooms in total. It is surrounded by a beautiful park of around 325 acres.
The grasslands and oak woodlands of this beautiful park were originally owned by the Muir family.
There are various fun activities that can be enjoyed by visitors while visiting this beautiful park.
One of the most famous activities that can be enjoyed is a 20-minute film on the life of Muir, which tells about his contribution to preserving the land in America.
- Location – 4202 Alhambra Ave, Martinez, CA 94553, US.
- Visiting Hours – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Famous For – House of John Muir.
2. Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline
The Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline is located on the shoreline of Carquinez Strait in Martinez and covers an area of 343 acres.
The regional park comes under the supervision of the East Bay Regional Park District.
The place is great for families, as people can pursue various family activities in this place, such as picnics, playing softball, bocce ball, and many more.
There is a 3 km path for adventure seekers that can be covered by hiking or biking. This trail is conducted along the shoreline, and it consists of various ponds where people can go fishing.
- Location – Ferry St, Matinez, CA 94553, US.
- Visiting Hours – 6 AM to 6 PM.
- Famous For – Various family activities.
3. California Magic Dinner Theatre
If you have always been thinking about magic and have visited various magic shows in your childhood, then the California Magic Dinner Theatre will be a great destination for you to visit.
The Dinner Theatre is situated on the main street and provides a great combination of food and magic.
This venue is hosting a variety of activities by various groups that will provide you with an unforgettable evening.
There are three courses as well as a one-hour show that is hosted by Gerry Griffin, and you can see various magicians from all around the world.
- Location – 514 Main St, Martinez, CA 94553, US.
- Visiting Hours – 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
- Famous For – Magic and Food
4. Martinez Museum
The Martinez Museum was established in 1973 and is supervised by the Martinez Historical Society.
The main objective of this museum is to showcase the history of this beautiful city and let the people know about its heritage.
The main reason behind the establishment of the museum was that the Martinez Historical Society wanted to save an 1890 cottage from demolition, so they started collecting various things needed to house them in the museum, and the rest is history.
On today’s date, you can see a great historical library featuring everything related to the history of the city. Exploring this museum is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Martinez.
- Location – 1005 Escobar St, Martinez, CA 94553, US.
- Visiting Hours – 11 AM to 3 PM
- Famous For – Showcasing the history of Martinez
5. George Miller Regional Trail
The George Miller Regional Trail is a new pedestrian trail that has been named after Congressman George Miller, who devoted his 40 years to the restoration of old county roads.
A trail is a great place for bikers and walkers; during the mornings and evenings, you can see various people doing some physical activity here.
The view from this trail is breathtaking and is along the shoreline of the Carquinez Strait Region. No motorized vehicles are allowed on this trail.
- Location – Martinez, CA ,US.
- Visiting Hours – 24/7
- Famous For – Biking and Walking.
6. Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline
The 1,415 acres of the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline are made up of rocky bluffs, forested ravines, broad, rolling pastures, peppermint prairie, and pristine riverbank beachfront.
It is a parkway that stretches between the town of Crockett and the foothills above Martinez.
The parks serve as an entryway to the riverside delta valley around Contra Costa County’s north border.
It has a number of multi-use paths that wind their way across the stunning scenery, offering valley panoramas and ridgetop panoramas.
- Location – Port Costa, CA, US.
- Visiting Hours – 8 AM to 6 PM.
- Famous For – Connecting Crockett and the foothills.
7. Contra Costa County Historical Society
The main objective of the Contra Costa County Historical Society is to save all the documents related to the history of Contra Costa and let the heritage of the city be preserved.
The documents of society are also useful for educational purposes. The History Center of the society has saved data related to its history from ages past, which includes pictures, letters, documents, and whatnot.
The center provides this data for researchers and schools for educational purposes. If you are a history buff, visiting here will be one of the best things to do in Martinez for you.
- Location – 724 Escobar St, Martinez, CA 94553, US.
- Visiting Hours – 9 AM to 4 PM.
- Famous For – Documenting History.
8. St. Catherine of Siena Parish
The St. Catherine of Siena Parish is a vibrant faith community that helps the needy all year.
There are more than 1100 families who are part of this community and take the initiative to serve the needy.
There are various worshipping and educational events conducted by the parish that teach children and adults the right way to live.
There are various services provided by the parish, including taking care of the elderly, providing support to people who are in pain, performing community service, and many more.
- Location – 606 Mellus St, Martinez, CA 94553, United States
- Visiting Hours – Check Out the Official Website
- Famous For – Helping Others.
9. Lemongrass Bistro
Tasting the delicious cuisines at Lemongrass Bistro is among the best things to do in Martinez. The Lemongrass Bistro provides Southeast Asian cuisine and is totally based on the Vietnamese style.
The restaurant was opened in 2009 by two sisters, Becky and Linda Pheng, who offer various dishes in a bistro-style setting.
One can visit this place for both lunch and dinner; they also provide catering services for special occasions.
- Location – 501 Main St, Martinez, CA 94553, United States
- Visiting Hours – 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 PM to 8 PM
- Famous For – Southeast Asian Cuisine.
10. Copper Skillet Courtyard
The Copper Skillet Courtyard is owned by a family and has been serving great food to their customers for 18 years.
The place is family-friendly, and if you don’t want to waste your money as well as want quality food, then you must visit here.
The main attraction of this restaurant is that they provide breakfast for $5.99 and can provide you with an option of five different dishes.
In the same way, they also provide lunch for $6.99, which is quite reasonable.
- Location – 811 Ferry St, Martinez, CA 94553, US.
- Visiting Hours – 8 AM to 3 PM
- Famous For – Delicious food.
11. La Tapatia Mexican Cuisine
La Tapatia Mexican Cuisine is a great place that provides a variety of Mexican cuisine to the people.
The place is mostly visited for casual gatherings, and the main focus is to serve dishes from the Jalisco region.
The best thing about this place is that they provide food that is made from scratch and has a great taste.
They offer a variety of signature dishes; if you are visiting and are unsure about which dishes to order, you can ask them, and they will recommend the best options for you.
- Location – 536 Main St, Martinez, CA 94553, US.
- Visiting Hours – 4 PM to 9 PM.
- Famous For – Mexican Cuisine
12. Mangia Bene
The Mangia Bene restaurant serves Italian cuisine. The cuisine that the restaurant serves here includes Mediterranean and Italian food and has a relaxing environment for families.
The restaurant was established in 1996 and provides you with a variety of freshly prepared food items.
The place is quite family-friendly, and you can visit here to spend some time with your family. They also provide you with a range of mouthwatering desserts.
- Location – 1170 Amold Dr #116, Martinez, CA 94553, US.
- Visiting Hours – 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Famous For – Italian Cuisine
13. Martinez Marina
The Martinez Marina will provide you with a great opportunity to experience fishing.
Martinez’s historical district is incredibly accessible from the marina, which is situated on the Carquinez Channel directly north of San Francisco.
The Martinez Coastal Plaza surrounds the marina, creating a very lovely scene. You have an extremely simple entrance to San Francisco Bay, and further from your handy boat ramp.
- Location – 7 N Court St, Martinez, CA 94553, US.
- Visiting Hours – 8:30 AM to 5 PM
- Famous For – Scenic View
14. Rankin Aquatic Center
Rankin Aquatic Center provides a whole family experience and is a great place to visit with young ones.
There are several pools that are well-maintained, and people of all ages can swim in them.
There is also a splash park for young ones where they can learn to swim and have fun. The swimming lessons are offered to mothers and little ones.
If you get tired of swimming, you can take a small break on the grassy park grounds and enjoy some sunlight.
- Location – 100 Buckley St, Martinez, CA 94553, US.
- Visiting Hours – 5 AM to 8 PM.
- Famous For – Great Family Experiences
15. Nancy Boyd Park
Spending some time with your family at Nancy Boyd Park is one of the best things to do in Martinez for sure. The Park is near highway 24 and is a great place to spend some time with family and friends.
There are various fun outdoor activities that can be enjoyed which include a basketball court, tennis courts, a big playground for children, and whatnot.
You can see various people enjoying picnics with their loved ones and even celebrating the birthdays of their children.
The place is quite clean and you can even reserve tables for some occasions.
- Location – 46 Barber Ln, Martinez, CA 94553, US.
- Visiting Hours – 6 AM to 9 PM
- Famous For – Tourist attraction
Conclusion- Best Things to do in Martinez, CA
So, these are the best things to do in Martinez that are worth exploring in the city of Martinez for every kind of tourist. The Marinez is a great city, and if you are visiting California, then you must definitely visit the city.
FAQs – Best Things to do in Martinez, California
1. What are the most popular tourist attractions in Martinez?
There are various tourist attractions in Martinez, such as the John Muir National Historic Site, Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline, California Magic Dinner Theatre, Martinez Museum, George Miller Regional Trail, Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, Contra Costa County Historical Society, and St. Catherine of Siena Parish.
2. When is the best time of year to visit Martinez?
The best time to visit Martinez is from April to November.
3. What are the best restaurants in Martinez?
There are various restaurants in Martinez, such as Lemongrass Bistro, Copper Skillet Courtyard, La Tapatia Mexican Cuisine, and Mangia Bene.
4. What are the best accommodation options in Martinez?
There are various accommodation options in Martinez, such as Super 8 by Wyndham Martinez, Best Western John Muir Inn, Quality Inn, Hilton Concord, and Western Plus Heritage Inn.