Pittsburg (California)

Pittsburg is a city of 76,000 people (2020) in the east part of Contra Costa County in the San Francisco Bay Area on the west edge of the San Francisco Bay Delta. == Understand == The local steel mill was Pittsburg's heartbeat for generations; it even inspired the town's name, after the steel capital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. But in 2023 the mill closed, forcing Pittsburg to reinvent itself economically. The situation has drawn comparisons to Rust Belt cities facing deindustrialization and far-flung East Bay communities that have become Silicon Valley commuter towns. Without the steel mill, Pittsburg's future identity is still uncertain. === Local information === Pittsburg City == Get in == === By car === === By BART === BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is the Bay Area's metro system. Pittsburg's BART stations (1 Pittsburg Center BART and 2 ) can be accessed from San Francisco/Daly City, and Oakland with a direct connection from San Francisco International Airport (SFO IATA). The MacArthur station in Oakland is used as a transfer station to reach Pittsburg. Those coming from Berkeley or Richmond must get off at MacArthur and go downstairs through the station to connect to Pittsburg. Taxis can be taken from BART stations to any destination within the given city limits. Yellow Cab has a dominant presence in the Bay Area and the BART stations. == Get around == Tri Delta Transit is the public transit system of Pittsburg and throughout East Contra Costa County. The bus has connections to shopping centers, downtown, malls and other points of interest. The main east-west thoroughfare in Pittsburg is Leland Road which goes from Bay Point and the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART Station to Antioch where it becomes Delta Fair Boulevard. The minor east-west connections are Buchanan Road, 10th Street, E. 14th Street/Pittsburg-Antioch Highway, North Parkside Drive/Willow Pass Road and Power Avenue. The main north-south thoroughfare in Pittsburg is Railroad Avenue which begins in Old Town (downtown) Pittsburg and becomes Kirker Pass Road uptown when crossing over Buchanan Road. The minor north-south connections are Bailey Road which goes into Concord, on the south and ends in Bay Point on the north, Harbor Street, Loveridge Road, Crestview Drive and Somersville Road, which only a piece of it is part of Pittsburg, the remainder being in Antioch. The intersection of W. Leland Road and Railroad Avenue is considered the major intersection of Pittsburg. === By taxi === Taxi service is available, but on a reduced scale as compared to major cities. However, you won't be able to hail a cab; it is necessary to call and arrange for a taxi to pick you up. Rates are fixed by city ordinance and do not vary among companies. == See == 1 Old Town Pittsburg. The downtown area is being redeveloped and business is returning to downtown a lot of newer restaurants and stores, some of the historic places are also being renovated. 2 Pittsburg Historical Museum, 515 Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 925 439-7501. Built in 1924, this neoclassical style building served as the Coast Counties Gas Company and later housed the Pittsburg Post-Dispatch Newspaper. Since 2003, it has been the Pittsburg Historical Museum. 3 Bank of America Building, 420 Railroad Ave. Designed by E.L. Norberg and built by G.H. Fields & Co. in 1921 with classical design stylistic features, the Bank Building was Pittsburg's second bank. In 1927, Liberty Bank of San Francisco acquired the site, later purchased by the Bank of Italy and its founder Amerigo Giannini. In 2017, the building underwent a complete renovation, preserving the existing bank vault. 4 Heritage Plaza, 4th St. One of the best kept secrets in Old Town Pittsburg, home to two magnificent pieces by resident artist Francis Palermo and sculptor Jason Griego. 5 John Buckley Square, 525 Railroad Ave. A public square in Old Town, offers a variety of recreational amenities, including a playground area, sand pit, ping pong table, bocce court, bench seating and restrooms. === Monuments === 6 The Steelworker in Pittsburg Sculpture, Corner of Railroad Ave and E. 5th St. A statue by sculptor Frank Vitale, dedicated to the history of the steelworker in Pittsburg. 7 Coal Car Monument, Corner of E. 5th & Black Diamond St. Dedicated by the E Clampus Vitus organization in 1995, the monument serves as a tribute to Black Diamond and the miners who extracted the coal from the Mt. Diablo foothills from 1860 to 1911. 8 The Fisherman, At the intersection of E. 3rd St and Railroad Ave. A bronze statue which honors the early Italian fishing community and is dedicated to Pittsburg's sister city, Isola delle Femmine, in Italy. 9 Italian Aliens Relocation Plaque, At the intersection of E. 3rd St and Railroad Ave. During WWII, from February 24, 1942 to October 12, 1942, nearly 1600 Italian residents of Pittsburg, California, having been declared "enemy aliens", were unjustly banned from their homes, work and communities and forced to relocate elsewhere by the U.S. 10 Pescatori Fishing Boat, Corner of Marina Blvd. & E. 3rd St. Pescatori, a 1945 Monterey-style commercial fishing boat, symbolizes Pittsburg's history in the fishing and canning industries. Purchased by the Pittsburg Historical Society in 2007, the boat underwent a full restoration and is now displayed at the City's marina. Stoneman Veterans Memorial Monument. Marks the location of Camp Stoneman which was a WWII military Camp that served as a departure point for troops heading to the Pacific campaigns. == Do == 1 Pittsburg Marina, 51 Marina Blvd, ☏ +1 925 439-4958. A great place to launch boats, has a 24 hour launch ramp open to public. Chartered fishing, rental kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are also available. 2 California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 925 427-1611. Opened in 1920, the theatre began as a venue for live vaudeville performances and silent films. During its heyday, notable performers included Flash Gordon and cowboy heroes Ray “Crash” Corrigan, Tim Holt, Tex Ritter and Fred Scott. Today, the auditorium features a capacity of 981 seats, beaux-artes style ceiling decoration, and a grand balcony. It hosts theatre productions, concerts, comedy shows, films, dance performances, community events, and is rented for private events. 3 Small World Park, 2551 Harbor St, ☏ +1 925 439-4879. This family-atmosphere park has a playground, small carnival rides, a kids zipline, Ferris wheel, and a train ride. A great place to picnic, and a popular location for birthday parties, family reunions, and other children's events. Adults $6, children $3, seniors (55+) $3. 4 Maya Pittsburg Cinemas, 4085 Century Blvd, ☏ +1 925 753-1788. A 16-screen movie theater that usually has decent prices and plenty of parking. 5 Buchanan Swim Center, 4150 Harbor St, ☏ +1 925 439-4841. Adults $6, youth $3, seniors (65+), children under 2 free. (updated May 2024) === Sports === Los Medanos Mustangs. This is the local community college where they play a number of sports. == Events == Pittsburg Seafood and Music Festival. Held annually since 1984, this two-day festival features a lot of great food and fun, family atmosphere. Pittsburg Jazz, Blues and Funk Festival. Pittsburg Car Show. Held from May to September each year, featuring cars and live bands. Holiday Parade. An annual event held in December, featuring City dignitaries, the Pittsburg High School Marching Band, and floats parading down Railroad Avenue. == Learn == 1 Los Medanos College, ☏ +1 925 439-2181. A public community college. == Buy == 1 Railroad Book Depot, 485 Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 510-526-6080. Pittsburg's only independent bookstore, operated by Pittsburg Arts & Community Foundation. It hosts various events from reading programs to live readings and author meet and greets. It is housed in the Woulf & Ury Building, a two-story art deco commercial structure built in 1926. 2 Century Plaza Shopping Center, 4405 Somersville Road & Highway 4. This mall includes a Burlington, Dollar Tree, Bath & Body Works, Ross and PetSmart. == Eat == 1 New Mecca Cafe, 324 Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 925 432-7433. A Pittsburg institution founded in the 1960s by Guillermo "Bill" Muñiz, and has catered for the Oakland Athletics, the San Francisco Giants, and San Francisco 49ers, as well as two MLB All-Star Games. 2 La Veranda Ristorante Italiano, 444 Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 925 427-0444. A renovated neighborhood Italian restaurant in the heart of Old Town Pittsburg. 3 Lumpy's Diner, 615 Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 925 439-3911. A popular spot featuring burgers, fries and milkshakes. Great service. 4 CreAsian Bistro!, 610 Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 925 267-2828. 5 Skyview Noodle & Tea, 200 E 3rd St, ☏ +1 925 318-4580. 6 The Waterfront Grill & Cafe, 51 Marina Blvd, ☏ +1 925 267-9775. 7 Fishermen's Catch Market & Restaurant, 31 Marina Blvd, ☏ +1 925 267-2277. A seafood market with great fish and chips. Get takeout and enjoy the marina view. 8 Mehran Restaurant, 3841 Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 925 432-7500. 9 Las Panchitas, 1270 E Leland Rd, ☏ +1 925 432-8226. === Fast food === 10 In-N-Out Burger, 4550 Delta Gateway Blvd. 11 Nation's Giant Hamburgers & Great Pies, 3789 Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 925 432-3103. == Drink == 1 EJ Phair Brewing Company, 200 E 3rd St, ☏ +1 925 252-9895. A brewery and taproom serving handcrafted ales and lagers. 2 Dále Vino, 51 Marina Blvd, Unit C, ☏ +1 925 635-3521. A wine bar located in the Plaza Marina building, with indoor and outdoor seating. Features a variety of both regional and international wines. === Coffeehouses === 3 Steeltown Coffee & Tea, 695 Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 925 432-0307. Known locally as having great coffee and tea has very comfortable leather chairs to sit and has a lot of sunlight from the two stories of windows. == Sleep == 1 Marriot Courtyard Antioch Pittsburg, 1001 Center Dr (off Highway 4), ☏ +1 925 665-3040. Offers free WiFi, free parking, pet-friendly, fitness center and an outdoor terrace. 2 Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburg, 1201 California Ave (off Highway 4), ☏ +1 925 473-1300. Offers free breakfast, free WiFi, free parking, pet-friendly rooms, and an outdoor pool. == Go next == Concord - One of the largest cities in the East Bay, offering a variety of shopping and dining options. Pleasant Hill - This neighboring city is primarily a typical family suburb, but it does offer options for food and shopping.