Introduction to El Cerrito, California
El Cerrito, California, in Contra Costa County, is 2 miles SE of Richmond, California (center to center) and 8 miles N of Oakland, California. Part of the surrounding Oakland metro area, the city is not isolated.
El Cerrito History
Originally, the city that is now known as El Cerrito, had a ranch owned by Luís María Peralta’s family called the Don Victór Castro's Rancho San Pablo. Refugees from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake settled here, and called their camp Rust. This later became a village which was eventually incorporated in 1917. It was initially christened "Rust" after the founder, a German immigrant named Wilhelm F. Rust. The name was later changed to El Cerrito.
El Cerrito and nearby Attractions
- El Cerrito Branch Contra Costa County Library.
- El Cerrito City Hall.
- El Cerrito Plaza Station.
- Contra Costa Civic Theatre.
- Mira Vista Country Club.
- Fairmont Park.
Things To Do In El Cerrito
The city has a number of popular tourist attractions like the county library, the city hall, the civic theatre and the memorial building. The San Pablo Avenue and Fairmount Avenue are lined with commercial and shopping businesses. The Cerrito Theater, which was formerly a furniture shop, has been restored into a hybrid restaurant/movie theatre which is now very popular destination in the Bay Area. The city has an array of amusement parks like the Huber Park, the Cerrito Vista Park, the Fairmont Park and the Arlington Park that provide a host of recreational facilities for one to enjoy with family and friends. There are a number of churches around the city and visitors can also browse through the shops in the various shopping centers.
El Cerrito Transportation
Air transportation is available from Metropolitan Oakland International Airport.
El Cerrito Higher Education
The city is served by Contra Costa College.