Had accumulated a lot of partially used cans of paints over the years and wanted to dispose of them…read moreproperly. The gentleman that helped me was professional and incredibly polite. It was quick and easy and I am grateful for the experience.

I've been seeing ads for Central San's free Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour for years but could…read morenever make it because of work. I finally had the chance to check it out and I'm so glad I did! Signing up was super easy. You just fill out a Google form online, and someone from the team will follow up with all the details. The tour itself lasts about 90 minutes. 99% of it is outdoors in the afternoon. So if it's a hot day, you'll want sunscreen and sunglasses. If you wear a hat, the required hard hat would need to fit over it. The only time we were indoors was to grab safety gear (hard hats and listening devices). Our guide, Ben, was awesome. He was really knowledgeable, approachable, and entertaining. I learned so much about what happens after you flush the toilet. Did you know the pipes your waste travels through are only have 4-6 inches in diameter? Or that they once supposedly found a bowling ball in the system? It's completely free and a great local experience for anyone living in or near Contra Costa County. Definitely recommend checking it out if you ever get the chance!

A quaint lovely library in downtown Martinez! Love going there with my son! They are open late, til…read more8 on Tuesdays. Great walk around downtown!

One of the first places I came when I moved to Martinez last August/Sept. It only took five minutes…read moreto get a card and they let you choose the one you want (mine was sea otters) and a ton of community pamphlets w/lots of info re classes, events, etc. It's a very small library but it's very clean, quiet, organized, with a water fountain, and clean restrooms downstairs by the little bookstore, my favorite part. Full of lots of great donated books/hidden treasures. I met some really cool and nice people there from volunteering there a couple of times..Nancy, the other Nancy, Helen, Irene, etc. I found that most people in Martinez are really warm & friendly in general. There is also a nice gated garden patio w/tables in the back if you want to read outside, as well as a bench in the front of the building + a ramp.

I was expecting government-quality service, and was pleasantly surprised to get friendly and…read morecompetent assistance from the civil clerk, Taylor. If you need docs printed, go across the street. First 10 pages don't even require payment. Lastly, the law library down the street is a great resource too.

I'm extremely frustrated with my experience in the small claims court division, particularly in my…read moreinteractions with Isabella. On two separate occasions, I've been given incorrect or incomplete information, which resulted in me making unnecessary trips over an hour round trip only to find out things were not handled properly. This process is already time-sensitive and stressful, so having to deal with avoidable mistakes and miscommunication only adds to that burden. During my most recent visit, the paperwork was even completed incorrectly and had to be altered afterward, which did not inspire confidence in the accuracy or professionalism of the process. I understand that questions may come up, but there is a noticeable lack of consistency and preparedness that makes navigating the system much more difficult than it should be. Additionally, the tone and attitude I encountered felt dismissive at times, which made an already frustrating situation worse. I'm sharing this because I believe the court system should provide clear, reliable guidance, especially for individuals trying to follow the proper steps on their own. Right now, that standard is not being met in my experience.

Growing up, this was my local library. I used to love coming here with my mom. Today I came back…read morewith my daughter for story time and it was great. Such a blast from the past and still looks the same.

Not only do they have books, they also have community pamphlets such as the DMV guide for seniors…read more It beats making a trip down to the DMV. They also have a huge collection of puzzles and games that you can check out. What I enjoy is there giant checker board they have set up at the entrance. We play every time we come. The library has really evolved since I was a kid. It used to be a quiet place where you read books. Now it's a much livelier place catering to modern needs.

I got an email that my library card would expire next month and it had some options on how to…read moreextend it. Since I was running errands I just stopped by the library to speak to a real person. The staff were so friendly and lovely. I explained what I needed and my card was extended after presenting my driver's license. A simple transaction with friendly people. And what a lovely and airy library.

Very quiet most of the time, the librarians are really kind and helpful, and it is very organized…read more I recommend this library.

NEW FREE PARKING STRUCTURE NEXT TO THE COURTHOUSE! enter the same way you would for the free…read moreoutdoor lot next to the courthouse, but drive toward the back. if you have an 8 or 9am report time, i think you have a good shot at getting a parking space without getting here super early now. if you have an afternoon summons, you might still need to get street parking. last time i reported here (3 years ago?), i arrived at 7:30am for an 8am report and i still had to park at a metered spot a couple blocks away. this time i got here at 7:30am and i snagged one of the last spots in the original lot. the following day, i was required to be here at 9am and i showed up at 8:40am and there were still 50 spots (according to the board) in the new parking structure. parking was a huge gripe i had with this courthouse. at least now that's one less complaint when i report...

I had to Jury duty again. It seems like get this every year!.....ugg…read moreNot only that, PARKING is hard to find, so get there really early. or park far away.

We stopped by one of the most amazing parks we've been to over the weekend! They had a play train,…read moresandbox with a water table, 2 playgrounds, swings and climbing rock structures and more! Would highly recommended taking your kiddos! Be back to explore more! SYOY! :-)

best park in walnut creek?…read more most prob, with such a perfect, outdoor ambiance for all types of activities, such as a walk with a friend, a picnic with the fam, read a book in the shade, or the nearby coffee shop(s) and the library time flew as a couple hours went by with our convo

If you haven't noticed I walk all over Martinez. If its publicly accessible me, my son and a…read morestroller have trekked to it. I've been scouting out photography spots in the evenings. In one of my neighborhood wonderings I found this fountain. It's very clean and open. I don't think very many people come and visit because there wasn't hardly any change in the water. Or maybe they had just cleaned it. Its located in front of some of the government offices so I may have an idea of where the change goes. We had a great family moment walking around the fountain. It's a free and fun place to spend an hour taking photos. I love it.

I've had occasion to hang out at Plaza Ignacio Park while waiting for my son at the nearby Boys &…read moreGirls Club. Martinez PD and other City Offices are located on the other end of the Park. Just drive along Alhambra Avenue near Downtown and you can't miss this place and its distinct fountain. The Plaza is a bright and open area that is perfect to walk around in or just sit for awhile. It is also used for various civic events and informal gatherings. Several of the benches are dedicated to friends and family who have passed. The park is named after Don Ignacio Nicanor Martinez who was the original grantee of the Rancho El Pinole, a portion of which is now the City of Martinez. Land for this plaza was donated to the citizens of Martinez by members of his family in 1849. This information is also on a plaque in the park. Both the City Hall and Boys and Girls Club Buildings were once part part of the old Martinez Grammar school (originally built in 1873). This building was replaced in 1909, and is now the Boys and Girls Club. In 1916 the school annex was built to accommodate a growing population as a result of the Shell Refinery construction. The annex is where City Hall is now and was acquired form municipal purposes in the mid-1950s. In between the school and the annex was a playground, which is where the plaza is now. Then in the mid-1970s, the Mayor led an effort to make this area a city park in honor of Martinez's Centennial as an incorporated City. A plaque near Henrietta Street has the inscription, "1876-1976 Plaza Ignacio Martinez."