Antioch, the second-largest city in Contra Costa County, is surrounded by stunning mountains and historical landmarks. If you're seeking a destination where history meets nature, Antioch is the place to be!
Formerly known as "Marsh's Landing," it is a historic town formed in 1848. Rev. William Wiggins Smith renamed it "Antioch" in 1849, presumably from the name of a Syrian village where the disciples of Christ were first termed "Christians". In 1863, Antioch was a coal and petroleum mining town until the mines were depleted due to intensive mining.
It is now a famous tourist destination because its museums and protected historical landmarks provide various recreational opportunities. Its numerous marinas, piers, boatyards, and yacht clubs have also become a popular fishing destination among anglers.
Antioch Public Fishing Pier is free to access and less controlled than other Antioch piers. It offers an excellent view of the California sunset, which draws anglers to Antioch Public Fishing Pier on late afternoons while providing a large number of largemouth bass, salmon, and white sturgeon during these hours. While fish in other Antioch piers prefer shrimp and worms, those in Antioch Public Fishing Pier prefer anchovies.
The Antioch/Oakley Regional Shoreline Pier is a 550-foot pier that gives access to the San Joaquin River through the north end of Bridgehead Road in Oakley. Although it is a regional park, anglers can fish from the pier at any time. Steelhead trout, white sturgeon, green sturgeon, black bullhead, yellow bullhead, and salmon are known to spawn here.
Antioch Marina Pier is a 100-foot pier known to be a striped bass hotspot despite being smaller than the other piers. It allows anglers to fish within the San Joaquin River and is rich in shoreline vegetation, including grass and wild orchids. Since the Antioch Marina pier is usually less crowded, anglers can improve their skills and try out new rigs and artificial lures.
Because most Antioch water areas are accessible via the numerous piers, anglers generally utilize spinning or baitcasting to fish directly from the dock. Some anglers use bottom fishing to get larger fish, but it is not widespread because it needs more complex rigs. Anglers who prefer bottom fishing can use sliding sinkers with cut anchovy or shad as bait to catch large game fish like striped bass or largemouth bass.
El Campanil is a historic local theater in Antioch's old town with a 1,000-seat capacity, live events, and a single-screen cinema. This landmark theater has welcomed renowned guests such as Debbie Reynolds and The Three Stooges since 1928.
The Black Diamond Mines date back to the 1860s. They are currently protected by the 8,533-acre Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, which includes a historic cemetery commemorating initial occupants who perished from diseases, mining disasters, and other notable events. Daily guided trips are available for guests to enjoy hiking, picnics, and nature research.
These hills, located north of Antioch, provide access to Wildlife Companions, a lion and tiger sanctuary that supports the rescue of zoo or show animals. When visiting Montezuma Hills, be sure to keep an eye up to see the Shiloh Wind Power Plant wind turbines, which provide clean energy to Antioch and its surrounding areas.