Real Marina Group

Homes in Martinez, CA

Martinez offers historic charm, excellent schools, and convenient access to major employment centers, making it an attractive East Bay option.

Contra Costa County
Bayfront County Seat
55-70 min to San Francisco
30-40 min to Oakland
75 min to San Jose
Train: Amtrak Capitol Corridor (Downtown)
Bus: County Connection (Local)

Why Martinez?

Historic Waterfront

Charming Main Street storefronts, antique shops, and the county marina create a true delta-town vibe. You can watch tugboats from the Bay Trail in the morning and stroll to art walks or jazz nights after sunset.

Commuter Options

Amtrak, County Connection shuttles, and quick Highway 4/I-680 links give residents multiple ways to reach Oakland, Walnut Creek, or San Francisco. Casual carpools and Vallejo ferry connections add backup options whenever traffic snarls.

Value Buy

Victorians, bay-view condos, and Reliez Valley ranches often cost far less than Lamorinda or Walnut Creek equivalents. Buyers stretch budgets further while still living near rail, ferry, and county employment centers.

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Interactive Map

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Neighborhoods in Martinez

Discover the unique character and charm of Martinez's diverse neighborhoods.

Downtown Martinez & Waterfront

Victorian storefronts, antique shops, and the refurbished marina create a vibrant small-town core.

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Neighborhood Characteristics

Community Type:
Historic Waterfront
Home Styles:
Victorian, Craftsman, Mixed-Use Flats
Lot Sizes:
Small
Walkability:
Very High

For current pricing and availability, please contact us for personalized market information.

What Makes This Neighborhood Special

Locally owned boutiques, breweries, and coffeehouses line Main Street.

Martinez Marina Park hosts fishing piers, kayak launches, and waterfront trails.

Amtrak Capitol Corridor station provides rail to Sacramento, Oakland, and San Jose.

Alhambra Valley

Semi-rural enclave with horse properties, vineyards, and winding country roads.

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Neighborhood Characteristics

Community Type:
Semi-Rural, Scenic
Home Styles:
Ranch Estates, Farmhouse, Custom
Lot Sizes:
Large
Walkability:
Low

For current pricing and availability, please contact us for personalized market information.

What Makes This Neighborhood Special

Room for barns, gardens, and ADUs on multi-acre lots.

Minutes to Briones Regional Park trailheads and Bear Creek Road cycling routes.

Quiet, starry nights yet a short drive to Highway 4.

Hidden Valley & Pine Meadow

Subdivision east of downtown with hillside cul-de-sacs, views, and proximity to top schools.

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Neighborhood Characteristics

Community Type:
Hillside Suburban
Home Styles:
Split-Level, Ranch, Contemporary
Lot Sizes:
Medium
Walkability:
Moderate

For current pricing and availability, please contact us for personalized market information.

What Makes This Neighborhood Special

Oak-dotted slopes overlook Alhambra Creek and downtown lights.

Feeds into Hidden Valley Elementary and Alhambra High.

Near Hidden Lakes Park, soccer fields, and swim club.

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Schools in Martinez

Quality education is a cornerstone of Martinez's appeal to families.

School NameLevelSchool RatingActions
Hidden Valley Elementary SchoolElementaryView
John Muir Elementary SchoolElementaryView
John Swett Elementary SchoolElementaryView

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Note: Verify current ratings and boundaries with official district resources. School assignments may change based on enrollment and boundary adjustments.

Major Employment Hubs & Local Employers

Martinez offers excellent access to major Bay Area job centers and is home to several major employers.

Major Employment Hubs Near Martinez

  • Contra Costa County Government Center (Downtown Martinez) - Courts, health services, and administrative HQs lining Main Street.

  • Downtown Oakland / Lake Merritt - Civic agencies, Kaiser Center, and tech offices via Capitol Corridor or CA-24.

  • San Francisco Financial District & Ferry Building - Finance, legal, and tech headquarters accessed by Amtrak plus BART.

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Top Employers in Martinez

  • Contra Costa County

    County seat with courts, health services, and administrative offices downtown.

  • Shell Martinez Refinery (PBF Energy)

    Major industrial employer undergoing renewable fuel conversion.

  • Martinez Unified School District

    Serves local elementary, middle, and high schools.

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Commute Times

Martinez offers excellent connectivity to major job centers, airports, and regional destinations.

Commute to Major Job Centers

Walnut Creek
I-680 south
15 min
Downtown Oakland
Amtrak or I-680/I-24
35 min
San Francisco
Amtrak to Richmond then BART
60 min
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Airports

OAKOakland International Airport
Airport
40 min
SFOSan Francisco International Airport
Airport
55 min
SMFSacramento International Airport
Airport
70 min

Regional Hotspots

Benicia Waterfront
Benicia Bridge
15 min
Napa Valley
I-680 north to SR-12
45 min
Briones Regional Park
Reliez Valley Rd
12 min
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Lifestyle & Amenities

Discover what makes Martinez a special place to live.

  • Sunrise brings kayakers and rowers to the Carquinez Strait while Golden State Model Railroad Museum bells ring downtown. Residents mix errands between Main Street galleries, the county courthouse campus, and the Martinez Amtrak station, and everything is within a few blocks.

  • Family schedules revolve around Little League at Hidden Valley Park, youth sailing clinics at the marina, and Martinez Clippers baseball games. Friday art walks, bocce tournaments, and downtown trick-or-treat events keep neighbors connected year-round.

  • Outdoor lovers never run out of options: the Bay Trail winds past restored wetlands, Briones Regional Park offers ridgeline hikes, and Los Medanos foothills hide goat trails perfect for weekend mountain biking. Birders and photographers cherish the marsh’s migrating herons and owls.

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Weather & Climate

Quick-hit visuals that show how Martinez feels throughout the year.

Temperature Story

Quick look at the seasonal swing in Martinez

Winter Comfort Band
Summer Warmth Band
W
S
37°F65°F93°F
W

Winter Comfort Band

42–48°F

Typical overnight lows from December through February.

S

Summer Warmth Band

80–88°F

Afternoon highs during peak summer months.

Climate Type

Bayside Mediterranean

Overall pattern

Days of Sunshine

255 days

Bright days/year

Annual Rainfall

21 inches

Nov–Mar showers

Marine breezes cool evenings and bring occasional fog across the strait.

Mild springs, warm summers, and crisp autumn mornings ideal for hiking.

Outdoor dining and waterfront recreation remain comfortable most of the year.

Parks & Recreation in Martinez

Martinez maintains over 6 parks and recreational facilities, from neighborhood parks to large regional parks.

Martinez Marina Park

Waterfront Park

Kayak launches, bocce courts, and Bay Trail segments along the strait.

Boat launchBocceTrails

Hidden Lakes Park

Community Park

Two lakes, playgrounds, and sports fields nestled between hills.

LakesPlaygroundSports fields

Rankin Park

Neighborhood Park

Swim center, picnic groves, and panoramic views.

PoolPicnicTrail

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Natural Hazards & Fault Lines

Important information about seismic activity, flood zones, and fire hazards in Martinez.

Major Fault Lines Near Martinez

Concord-Green Valley Fault

Runs south of downtown toward Pleasant Hill

Type: Strike-slip

Fire Hazard Severity Zones

Moderate to High

CalFire Classification

Seismic Hazard Zones

Liquefaction Zones

Higher near waterfront fill and Alhambra Creek delta.

Landslide Zones

Hillside neighborhoods such as Reliez Valley require erosion control.

Alquist-Priolo Fault Zone Status

Downtown core outside mapped fault traces.

FEMA Flood Zones

Zone Type

AE along Alhambra Creek and waterfront

Flood Risk Notes

City enhanced levees after 1997 floods; homeowners still carry flood insurance.

Additional Notes

Wildland interface west of town enforces weed abatement and evacuation planning.

What Locals Say

Hear from residents about living in Martinez.

"We can bike from our bungalow to the marina, hop on the ferry for lunch in Benicia, and be back before sunset."

Downtown Resident

"Hidden Valley still feels like the 1970s in the best way, with wide streets, friendly neighbors, and kids riding bikes everywhere."

Hidden Valley Parent

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Local Favorites

Discover recommended restaurants and dining spots in Martinez.

Del Cielo Brewing Company

BreweryTaproom

Latin-owned brewery pouring hazy IPAs, micheladas, and rotating collaboration beers. Trivia nights and salsa pop-ups turn Escobar Street into a block party.

Barrelista Coffee House

CafeCoffee

An old bank turned cafe with vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, and single-origin espresso. Locals hold morning meetings here before walking to court or county offices.

States Coffee

CafeBrunch

House-roasted beans, kouign-amann, and toast flights draw cyclists off the Bay Trail. The airy warehouse vibe offers plenty of laptop-friendly tables.

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What Makes Martinez Special

Discover unique features, historical facts, and notable highlights of Martinez.

John Muir National Historic Site

Home and orchards of the famed conservationist.

Martinez Marina

Rebuilt marina with fishing pier and Bay Trail access.

Briones Regional Park

Rolling oak hills with equestrian trails and reservoirs.

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Insider Tips

What to know and what to be aware of when considering Martinez.

What to Know

Historic Review

Exterior changes downtown require Heritage Commission approval.

Train Horns

Homes near the Amtrak line hear horns; dual-pane windows help reduce noise.

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What to Avoid

Ignoring Flood Insurance

Creek-adjacent properties still require coverage despite levee improvements.

Driving Highway 4 Bridge at Rush

Benicia-Martinez Bridge can gridlock; consider Amtrak or casual carpool.

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Homes for Sale in Martinez

Active listings coming soon. Contact us for current availability.

Coming Soon

We're working on bringing you real-time listings for Martinez. In the meantime, contact us to get personalized information about available homes in this area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Martinez

Common questions about living and buying in Martinez.

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