Richmond, CA

North of Berkeley and El Cerrito, the historic city of Richmond stretches from the bay all the way to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, which runs along the crest and into the canyons of the easternmost hills of the coast range. A transportation hub, there is a combined BART and Amtrak Station, and a quick commute to Marin County as well as an alternative route into San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge. It is also within easy reach of the I-80 corridor to San Francisco. 

In 1895, Augustin S. Macdonald visited Point Richmond and conceived the idea of a transcontinental rail terminal and ferry service to provide a direct route from Richmond to San Francisco. Macdonald presented his idea to the Santa Fe Railroad and in 1899 the railroad established its western terminus in Point Richmond. The first overland passenger train arrived in Richmond from Chicago in 1900. In 1901, Santa Fe moved its shops to Richmond and the Standard Oil Company built its refinery.