Richmond: Rosie the Riveter, Pt. Isabel and the neighborhood map

I love Richmond! Sure it’s had its share of bad press but Richmond is so incredibly rich and diverse and there is so much to do. I go out to Richmond at least 2-3 times per week. Richmond has a wonderful shoreline, a great dog park, fantastic bike paths, cute homes, shopping galore and it’s close to everything!

A little history…Richmond was founded in 1905 and until 1919 had the largest winery in the world and in the ‘20s the KKK was rampant. A small town at the time with a population of only 2,105 the town grew with the advent of the Ford Motor Company in the 30’s and the onset of World War II . World War II brought the shipyards along the waterfront and an influx of workers, including African Americans and women entered the munitions and manufacturing workforce for the first time. Richmond grew from a population of 2,105 in 1905 to a population of 99,000 by 1950. In the 60’s Richmond was also home to the Black Panthers. In the 80s the former shipyards were transformed into a multiunit residential area now known as Marina Bay. In early 2000 the city began an aggressive redevelopment effort “spurring exurban housing, condos, townhomes, a transit village and terraced hillside subdivision. Richmond today has 104,000 people and is incredibly diverse in race, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds.

Speaking of culture…have you heard of Rosie the Riveter?

Rosie the Riveter, a cultural icon, represents the six million women who worked in the manufacturing plants during World War II. More than that Rosie increased the number of working women to 20 million by 1944 and opened up the work force for women. Interested in learning more? Then you should visit the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park. The Park commemorates women’s shipbuilding and support for the war effort in the 1940s. Directions to the park can be found here.

Got a pooch that you’d like to frolic with? Then you have to check out Pt. Isabel. Pt. Isabel is the largest dog park in Alameda county. 22 glorious acres for you and fido! On a sunny day expect to spend at least a good one and a half to two hours there. Pt. Isabel is by far THE best dog park around (Fort Funston in San Francisco comes in at second). Restrooms, dog wash and dog store, café, open water, paved trails, nature all around…simply wonderful. To get there take Hgwy 80 to Central Avenue exit. Head left, past Costco and the road dead ends into the Park. Make sure to bring your leash. Doggie bags provided. To find out more visit Pido

Not sure about all the neighborhoods? Then click on the link for a map of Richmond’s neighborhoods. Richmond neighborhood map

Thinking about moving to Richmond? Looking for a bungalow or a home up in the hills? From the Annex to the Marina to the View or Downtown Richmond has what you are looking for whether in the 300K price range or the million dollar home. Email me if you’d like a list of homes that are currently for sale or ask me for the list of little known diamonds in the rough.

For more information on what Richmond has to offer click on the image below.