A vibrant town square, diverse population and growing economy are a few reasons to settle down in Concord. Located in the greater Bay Area, the city is 29 miles east of San Francisco in the valley below Mount Diablo. There are dozens of public parks in the area, providing more than 1,000 acres of open space for the nearly 130,000 residents to enjoy the temperate climate and natural beauty of the region.
The valley has long been a prosperous place for residents. Native American tribes once used the plentiful area as a herding ground before ranchers, who received a land grant from the Mexican government in 1828, developed a bountiful agricultural system that ran into the 19th century. Today Concord is one of the Bay Area’s leading commercial business centers, which provides a diverse mix of companies with a variety of employment opportunities. Bank of America’s Technology Center, Chevron Credit Center, Costco, T-Mobile and Home Depot are some of the largest employers.
The city is flanked by Pleasant Hill to the west, Walnut Creek to the south and Clyde to the north. Todos Santos Plaza, which bears the town’s original name, occupies one city block and is home to town gatherings including weekly farmers markets and concerts. Several other original structures remain, including the Don Salvio Pacheco Adobe, the headquarters of the original land grant. The city is in the midst of several development projects. The downtown revitalization project kicked off in June 2014 with a goal of bringing short- and long-term developments and improvements to downtown. Several multi-use housing and retail developments are already underway. The Concord Naval Weapons Station Reuse Project is another major agenda point for the city, with a goal of repurposing 5,000 acres of the 1940s station into transportation and housing gains for the area.
The Concord Jazz Festival is an annual staple for residents and visitors. Starting in 1969, the festival has attracted major jazz artists over the years, and spurred the construction of the Concord Pavilion, an amphitheater that hosts a variety of performers. Concord is also home to the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, one of the most decorated in the history of Drum Corps International. The list of additional family-friendly activities and classes is a long one, ranging from day camps to soccer leagues and Hula workout classes.