Major city · United States
ConcordConcord, California
Give Concord one night as a BART base for Mount Diablo and the outer East Bay, or skip it: downtown is small and you need a car for most sights.
Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County, about 29 mi (47 km) east of San Francisco, and it works as a cheaper, quieter base on the BART Yellow Line rather than a sightseeing destination. Downtown around Todos Santos Plaza has the restaurants and the theatre; the big draws are Mount Diablo State Park, a summer concert at the Concord Pavilion and the waterpark. Most travellers sleep here one or two nights and day-trip by BART or car.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, dry), late Dec–Feb rain spells
- Airports
- OAK · SFO · CCR
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Concord911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Concord, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyConcord is a normal Bay Area suburb: daytime downtown and the shopping districts are fine, and the main risks are summer heat on trails…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportOAK Oakland International (Closest international airport; about 30–40 min by car, longer in commute traffic).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: sights are spread over 31 sq mi and buses are infrequent.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, before tax and tip$18–35
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) taxi or rideshare$15–25
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$160
- Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$260
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$230
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- OAK Oakland International (Closest international airport; about 30–40 min by car, longer in commute traffic) · SFO San Francisco International (BART Yellow Line runs directly from SFO to Concord station, about 1 h 15 min) · CCR Buchanan Field (Small field in Concord for private aircraft and limited scheduled service; check current operators)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid*
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Concord: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: sights are spread over 31 sq mi and buses are infrequent. County Connection buses link downtown, both BART stations and neighbouring towns; Tri-Delta Transit 201x runs from Concord BART toward Antioch and Pittsburg. BART Yellow Line connects Concord and North Concord/Martinez stations with Oakland, San Francisco and SFO.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Diablo State Park
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min from downtown to the summit
Drive via Clayton or Danville; no public transport to the summit
Day-use fee per vehicle; check gate hours and heat before you climb.
San Francisco
goDoor to door: About 45–55 min
BART Yellow Line from Concord station to Embarcadero
No need to drive; BART drops you downtown.
Walnut Creek
goDoor to door: About 15–25 min
BART one stop south, or a 15-min drive
Better shopping, bars and restaurants than downtown Concord.
Martinez
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
County Connection bus or a 15-min drive
Tours of Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial leave from Martinez; book ahead.
Pleasanton and Livermore wine country
goDoor to door: About 40–50 min
Drive via I-680 south, about 30–40 min
Designate a driver if you plan to taste.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Todos Santos Plaza
Walkable restaurants, Brenden Theatres and Half Price Books; about 15 min walk or a short bus ride from Concord BART.
Concord BART / Clayton Rd corridor
Chain hotels and motels along Clayton Rd; best if you plan to ride BART into Oakland or San Francisco daily.
Willow Pass Rd / Diamond Blvd
Hilton, Sunvalley and Willows shopping centres, I-680 access; car-first, not walkable to downtown.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–190 excl. bed
- High
- $190+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| BART Concord → Embarcadero, one way2 × US$7 · check | US$14 |
| Mount Diablo State Park day-use, per vehicle1 × US$10 · check | US$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$47 |
| Trip total≈ US$261 per person per day, bed included | US$521 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–6 |
| Diner lunch | $12–20 |
| Burrito or taqueria plate | $10–16 |
| Sit-down dinner, before tax and tip | $18–35 |
| BART ride within the East Bay | $3–7 (check) |
| 5 km taxi or rideshare | $15–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer afternoons regularly top 32 °C (90 °F); carry water on Mount Diablo trails.Summer afternoons regularly top 90 °F (32 °C); carry water on Mount Diablo trails.
- Commute traffic through the Caldecott Tunnel and across the Bay Bridge can turn a 30-min drive into well over an hour.
- Solano Drive-In sells tickets at the gate only, not online: arrive early for popular films.
- Downtown is quiet after about 21:00; nightlife is stronger in Walnut Creek.Downtown is quiet after about 9:00 PM; nightlife is stronger in Walnut Creek.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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ConcordConcord, California
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Concord; consulates-general are in San Francisco.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- BART Concord → Embarcadero: about $7, 45–55 min (check)
- BART SFO → Concord: about $11–12, 1 h 15 min (check)
- Mount Diablo day-use, per vehicle: about $10 (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the BART station? — Where is the BART station?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- One ticket, please — One ticket, please
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Concord. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, dry), late Dec–Feb rain spells · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for OAK and SFO: last BART departures field-checked, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Todos Santos Plaza, Concord BART, Willow Pass and Diamond Blvd.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Mount Diablo summit, Concord Pavilion gates, Solano Drive-In box office) and eat pages with last orders.
- Heat and wildfire-smoke fixtures so summer days can go green or amber.
Sources
- officialCity of Concord
- officialBART — Concord station
- officialCounty Connection
- secondaryWikivoyage: Concord (California), revision 5241782 (CC BY-SA 4.0)