Pinole

Pinole is in the north of Contra Costa County in the San Francisco Bay Area in California on the southern shore of San Pablo Bay. Hercules is a suburban community next door. Neither of them have much to attract tourists, but they do have a selection of restaurants as well as walking and biking paths through the wetlands along the bay.

WestCAT Bus Route J (with two variations: JL and JR) runs about twice an hour from El Cerrito Del Norte BART station to Pinole and Hercules, seven days a week. The buses start earlier and end later on weekdays than weekends. Route 30Z serves Hercules from Martinez once an hour or so on weekdays.

Amtrak trains pass through Pinole regularly but don't stop here. There's talk of building a train station in Hercules, but as of 2024 construction hasn't started yet.

WestCAT provides bus service around Pinole and Hercules. For getting around on foot, sidewalks seem to be consistent in the main parts of both towns.

A segment of the San Francisco Bay Trail, a walking and biking trail in development around the San Francisco Bay, has been completed between Pinole and Hercules. It makes a pleasant way to walk between the two towns, thought wetlands and grassy hills alongside the train tracks.

• 🌍 Chelsea Wetlands (follow the paved walking paths along Pinole Creek northwest towards the bay). A tidal wetland, crisscrossed by walking trails, at the mouth of Pinole Creek between the train tracks and San Pablo Bay. (updated May 2024)

Refugio Creek in Hercules

• 🌍 Fernandez Park, Old Town Pinole, 595 Tennent Ave, ☏ +1 510-724-9062. The City of Pinole hosts many community events at Fernandez Park and in Old Town Pinole. These include: Summer Sounds in the Park - free music (Thursday evenings July–August), Outdoor Cinema - free family movies (Friday evenings July - August), Halloween Carnival - a festive family Halloween event including a Haunted House, inflatables, games, pumpkins, food and music (the last Saturday of October), Holiday Tree Lighting Festival - a holiday street fair with entertainment, street performers, artisans, Santa's Village and the lighting the Pinole Christmas Tree. 

• 🌍 Trader Joe's, 2742 Pinole Valley Rd, ☏ +1 510-222-3501. 

• 🌍 Hizcafe, 2216 Railroad Ave, Hercules. M–F 7AM–6PM, Sa 8AM–4PM, Su 8AM–4PM. A friendly local cafe serving coffee and empanadas, with outdoor seating and a community atmosphere. Has several vegetarian empanada options. (updated May 2024)
• 🌍 In-N-Out Burger, 1417 Fitzgerald Dr. 
• 🌍 The Pear Street Bistro, 2395 San Pablo Ave, ☏ +1 510-741-8875. 
• 🌍 Restaurante Due Rose, 1596 Fitgerald Dr, ☏ +1 510 223-5620. This is a great place to go if you want to stay local. It's basically the same menu you would find at higher priced Italian places. The dining room is basic, which is why the prices stay reasonable. The chefs are very friendly and willing to accommodate any food issues you may have. Desserts are great and try the lobster pasta! 
• Tommy's BBQ Company, 1611 Sycamore Ave Suite C, Hercules, ☏ +1 510-860-7894. W-Su noon-8PM. Texas-style barbecue spot. 

• 🌍 Days Inn, 2600 Appian Way, ☏ +1 510-222-9400. 
• 🌍 Motel 6, 1501 Fitzgerald Dr, ☏ +1 510 222-8174, fax: +1 510 262-9435.