Overview
Pittsburg is a city of 76,000 people (2020) in the east part of Contra Costa County in the San Francisco Bay Area on the west edge of the San Francisco Bay Delta.
11 sights · 10 things to do · 11 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Pittsburg
Pittsburg Marina
A great place to launch boats, has a 24 hour launch ramp open to public. Chartered fishing, rental kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are also available.
California Theatre
Opened in 1920, the theatre began as a venue for live vaudeville performances and silent films. During its heyday, notable performers included Flash Gordon and cowboy heroes Ray “Crash” Corrigan, Tim Holt, Tex Ritter and…
Old Town Pittsburg
The downtown area is being redeveloped and business is returning to downtown a lot of newer restaurants and stores, some of the historic places are also being renovated.
Pittsburg Historical Museum
Built in 1924, this neoclassical style building served as the Coast Counties Gas Company and later housed the Pittsburg Post-Dispatch Newspaper. Since 2003, it has been the Pittsburg Historical Museum.
Bank of America Building
Designed by E.L. Norberg and built by G.H. Fields & Co. in 1921 with classical design stylistic features, the Bank Building was Pittsburg's second bank. In 1927, Liberty Bank of San Francisco acquired the site, later…
Heritage Plaza
One of the best kept secrets in Old Town Pittsburg, home to two magnificent pieces by resident artist Francis Palermo and sculptor Jason Griego.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 39°F. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Concord)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CCR Buchanan Field, Concord — 10 mi away. Directions
- OAK Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, Oakland — 28 mi away (major hub). Directions
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is the Bay Area's metro system. Pittsburg's BART stations (Pittsburg Center BART and ) can be accessed from San Francisco/Daly City, and Oakland with a direct connection from San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The MacArthur station in Oakland is used as a transfer station to reach Pittsburg. Those coming from Berkeley or Richmond must get off at MacArthur and go downstairs through the station to connect to Pittsburg. Taxis can be taken from BART stations to any destination within the given city limits. Yellow Cab has a dominant presence in the Bay Area and the BART stations.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Old Town Pittsburg, The Steelworker in Pittsburg Sculpture, Pittsburg Historical Museum
- Lunch La Veranda Ristorante Italiano
- Afternoon John Buckley Square, Coal Car Monument
- Dinner CreAsian Bistro!
- Evening Steeltown Coffee & Tea
Day 2
- Morning Small World Park, Buchanan Swim Center
- Lunch Nation's Giant Hamburgers & Great Pies
- Afternoon Stoneman Veterans Memorial Monument, Pittsburg Jazz, Blues and Funk Festival
- Dinner Mehran Restaurant
- Evening EJ Phair Brewing Company
Day 3
- Morning Maya Pittsburg Cinemas, Los Medanos Mustangs
- Lunch In-N-Out Burger
- Afternoon Pittsburg Car Show
- Dinner Las Panchitas
- Evening Dále Vino
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The local steel mill was Pittsburg's heartbeat for generations; it even inspired the town's name, after the steel capital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. But in 2023 the mill closed, forcing Pittsburg to reinvent itself economically. The situation has drawn comparisons to Rust Belt cities facing deindustrialization and far-flung East Bay communities that have become Silicon Valley commuter towns. Without the steel mill, Pittsburg's future identity is still uncertain.
Local information
Get in
By car
By BART
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is the Bay Area's metro system. Pittsburg's BART stations (Pittsburg Center BART and ) can be accessed from San Francisco/Daly City, and Oakland with a direct connection from San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The MacArthur station in Oakland is used as a transfer station to reach Pittsburg. Those coming from Berkeley or Richmond must get off at MacArthur and go downstairs through the station to connect to Pittsburg. Taxis can be taken from BART stations to any destination within the given city limits. Yellow Cab has a dominant presence in the Bay Area and the BART stations.
Get around
Tri Delta Transit is the public transit system of Pittsburg and throughout East Contra Costa County. The bus has connections to shopping centers, downtown, malls and other points of interest.
The main east-west thoroughfare in Pittsburg is Leland Road which goes from Bay Point and the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART Station to Antioch where it becomes Delta Fair Boulevard. The minor east-west connections are Buchanan Road, 10th Street, E. 14th Street/Pittsburg-Antioch Highway, North Parkside Drive/Willow Pass Road and Power Avenue.
The main north-south thoroughfare in Pittsburg is Railroad Avenue which begins in Old Town (downtown) Pittsburg and becomes Kirker Pass Road uptown when crossing over Buchanan Road. The minor north-south connections are Bailey Road which goes into Concord, on the south and ends in Bay Point on the north, Harbor Street, Loveridge Road, Crestview Drive and Somersville Road, which only a piece of it is part of Pittsburg, the remainder being in Antioch.
The intersection of W. Leland Road and Railroad Avenue is considered the major intersection of Pittsburg.
By taxi
Taxi service is available, but on a reduced scale as compared to major cities. However, you won't be able to hail a cab; it is necessary to call and arrange for a taxi to pick you up. Rates are fixed by city ordinance and do not vary among companies.
See
See Old Town Pittsburg
The downtown area is being redeveloped and business is returning to downtown a lot of newer restaurants and stores, some of the historic places are also being renovated.
See Bank of America Building
Designed by E.L. Norberg and built by G.H. Fields & Co. in 1921 with classical design stylistic features, the Bank Building was Pittsburg's second bank. In 1927, Liberty Bank of San Francisco acquired the site, later purchased by the Bank of Italy and its founder Amerigo Giannini. In 2017, the building underwent a complete renovation, preserving the existing bank vault.
See Heritage Plaza
One of the best kept secrets in Old Town Pittsburg, home to two magnificent pieces by resident artist Francis Palermo and sculptor Jason Griego.
See John Buckley Square
A public square in Old Town, offers a variety of recreational amenities, including a playground area, sand pit, ping pong table, bocce court, bench seating and restrooms.
Monuments
See The Steelworker in Pittsburg Sculpture
A statue by sculptor Frank Vitale, dedicated to the history of the steelworker in Pittsburg.
See Coal Car Monument
Dedicated by the E Clampus Vitus organization in 1995, the monument serves as a tribute to Black Diamond and the miners who extracted the coal from the Mt. Diablo foothills from 1860 to 1911.
See The Fisherman
A bronze statue which honors the early Italian fishing community and is dedicated to Pittsburg's sister city, Isola delle Femmine, in Italy.
See Italian Aliens Relocation Plaque
During WWII, from February 24, 1942 to October 12, 1942, nearly 1600 Italian residents of Pittsburg, California, having been declared "enemy aliens", were unjustly banned from their homes, work and communities and forced to relocate elsewhere by the U.S.
See Pescatori Fishing Boat
Pescatori, a 1945 Monterey-style commercial fishing boat, symbolizes Pittsburg's history in the fishing and canning industries. Purchased by the Pittsburg Historical Society in 2007, the boat underwent a full restoration and is now displayed at the City's marina.
See Stoneman Veterans Memorial Monument
Marks the location of Camp Stoneman which was a WWII military Camp that served as a departure point for troops heading to the Pacific campaigns.
Do
Do California Theatre
Opened in 1920, the theatre began as a venue for live vaudeville performances and silent films. During its heyday, notable performers included Flash Gordon and cowboy heroes Ray “Crash” Corrigan, Tim Holt, Tex Ritter and Fred Scott. Today, the auditorium features a capacity of 981 seats, beaux-artes style ceiling decoration, and a grand balcony. It hosts theatre productions, concerts, comedy shows, films, dance performances, community events, and is rented for private events.
Sports
Learn
Buy
Shop Railroad Book Depot
Pittsburg's only independent bookstore, operated by Pittsburg Arts & Community Foundation. It hosts various events from reading programs to live readings and author meet and greets. It is housed in the Woulf & Ury Building, a two-story art deco commercial structure built in 1926.
Shop Century Plaza Shopping Center
This mall includes a Burlington, Dollar Tree, Bath & Body Works, Ross and PetSmart.
Eat
Eat New Mecca Cafe
A Pittsburg institution founded in the 1960s by Guillermo "Bill" Muñiz, and has catered for the Oakland Athletics, the San Francisco Giants, and San Francisco 49ers, as well as two MLB All-Star Games.
Eat La Veranda Ristorante Italiano
A renovated neighborhood Italian restaurant in the heart of Old Town Pittsburg.
Eat Lumpy's Diner
A popular spot featuring burgers, fries and milkshakes. Great service.
Eat The Waterfront Grill & Cafe
Eat Fishermen's Catch Market & Restaurant
A seafood market with great fish and chips. Get takeout and enjoy the marina view.
Fast food
Eat Nation's Giant Hamburgers & Great Pies
Drink
Drink EJ Phair Brewing Company
A brewery and taproom serving handcrafted ales and lagers.
Drink Dále Vino
A wine bar located in the Plaza Marina building, with indoor and outdoor seating. Features a variety of both regional and international wines.
Coffeehouses
Drink Steeltown Coffee & Tea
Known locally as having great coffee and tea has very comfortable leather chairs to sit and has a lot of sunlight from the two stories of windows.
Sleep
Go next
- Concord - One of the largest cities in the East Bay, offering a variety of shopping and dining options.
- Pleasant Hill - This neighboring city is primarily a typical family suburb, but it does offer options for food and shopping.
Events
Do Pittsburg Jazz, Blues and Funk Festival
Do Holiday Parade
An annual event held in December, featuring City dignitaries, the Pittsburg High School Marching Band, and floats parading down Railroad Avenue.
Nearby
Antioch
City / town · 32 listings · 5 mi away
Clayton
City / town · 4 listings · 7 mi away
Concord
City / town · 30 listings · 7 mi away
Oakley
City / town · 7 listings · 10 mi away
Mount Diablo State Park
Park · 9 listings · 11 mi away
Pleasant Hill
City / town · 16 listings · 12 mi away
Brentwood
City / town · 14 listings · 12 mi away
Walnut Creek
City / town · 32 listings · 13 mi away
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