Port Costa, CA

Tucked into the hills along the Carquinez Strait, Port Costa feels like a hidden world far removed from typical Bay Area bustle. It started in the late 1800s as a busy grain port and ferry landing where entire trains were shuttled across the water. When rail routes shifted and the docks quieted down in the 1930s, the town settled into a much slower pace, keeping its rustic waterfront character intact.

ATTRJanna Layton / CC BY-SA 4.0

Today, it is a tight-knit community of just a few hundred residents who value quiet surroundings, quirky history, and easy access to the outdoors. The restored historic schoolhouse serves as a natural gathering place for local events, while scenic trails in the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline wind up the bluffs right behind town. For anyone looking for a peaceful, secluded spot with vintage charm and sweeping water views, Port Costa has a personality all its own.