Rodeo is a waterfront community in Contra Costa County
In western Contra Costa County, Rodeo is an unincorporated community along the San Pablo Bay waterfront. Its name is inspired by the rodeos that were frequently hosted here during the 19th century, and nowadays, the area is known for its refinery industry and its quiet, slow-paced way of life. This census-designated place clocked in at just under 10,000 residents in 2020, and the Contra Costa County’s fifth district oversees its municipal services, including public works and safety. “It’s a bit of a sleepier area with a little bit more affordable housing,” says Roland Osage, a local Realtor with Real Brokerage who has lived in the East Bay his entire life.
Locals get their coffee from Looney Bean Coffee at the Rodeo Marina.
Families practice baseball at Lefty Gomez Recreation Area in Rodeo.
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From Craftsman bungalows to contemporary builds
The median price of a home in Rodeo is just over $770,000, although housing costs vary greatly depending on size and style. Hilly residential streets are lined with Craftsman-style bungalows, Mediterranean builds, contemporary apartments and traditional ranch-style dwellings. Many properties have short, paved driveways and, occasionally, a garage, but street parking is also readily available. According to Osage, the housing market in Rodeo is relatively competitive, with many homes selling between 14 and 21 days. "You really can get more bang for your buck," Osage says. "At the end of the day, for the location that you're in, what you're looking for if you're moving to Rodeo is just to get a little bit more house than you would in the surrounding cities."
Contemporary builds, including townhomes are common in Rodeo.
Cozy cottage style homes are common in Rodeo.
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Rodeo students zoned for John Swett Unified School District
Students in Rodeo are zoned for John Swett Unified School District, which receives an overall B-minus rating from Niche. The district has three schools: Rodeo Hills Elementary is rated C-plus, Carquinez Middle School is rated C and John Swett High School receives a B-plus rating. In 2025, John Swett High was named No. 6 on Niche’s “Most Diverse Public High Schools in California” list. One notable alum of the high school is Billie Joe Armstrong, the frontman of the band Green Day.
Rodeo Hills Elementary in Rodeo offers a large and safe space for kids.
John Swett High School offers high quality education for kids in Rodeo.
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Recreation along the San Pablo Bay
Rodeo is home to several community outdoor spaces. Along the San Pablo Bay waterfront is Rodeo Beach, a small sandy area where locals can launch kayaks. The county oversees Rodeo Creek Trail, a 2.5-mile trail for pedestrians and cyclists. For a walk along the waterfront, the 500-mile San Francisco Bay Trail runs through Rodeo. Baseball fields and tennis courts at the Lefty Gomez Recreation Center are often used for local team practices and games. Just outside Rodeo in the neighboring city of Hercules is Shoreline Park, a meticulously landscaped outdoor space with a playground and picnic areas. Farther east of the community is the Crockett Hills Regional Park, a sprawling natural area full of grassy fields that used to be a ranch. Residents here enjoy a Mediterranean-like climate with balmy summers and short, mild winters. “It’s nice to be that close to the bay… then you have that breeze,” Osage says.
The Marina in Rodeo is a protected inlet, offering calm waters for boaters.
The bay trail in Rodeo offers fresh bay air for the joggers passing through.
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Local shops and nearby malls along Interstate 80
A handful of local shops and restaurants are scattered throughout the community, including the Rodeo Grocery corner convenience store. Flippy’s Café and D’s Giant Burger are two local mainstay diners serving comfort foods, and by the bayfront is Four Fools Winery, which has scenic views of the water. Residents also travel to nearby commercial centers for shopping and dining options. Willow Shopping Grand Ave Center sits right across from Rodeo’s southernmost point and has a grocery store and several chain eateries like Starbucks and Burger King. Going west on Interstate 80, locals can find big box stores and national retailers at numerous other shopping malls like Creekside Center, Pinole Vista Shopping Center and Hilltop Mall in Richmond, approximately 6 miles away.
D's Giant Burger in Rodeo is a hometown favorite for it's delicious burgers.
Rodeo's downtown is filled with a variety of stores and restaurants.
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Getting around the East Bay
Although Rodeo is walkable, residents depend on cars to travel outside the community. Near Rodeo’s southernmost point is Interstate 80, a busy East Bay thoroughfare that connects to Richmond, Oakland and San Francisco. Public transit options include WestCAT bus route 11, which runs six days a week and feeds into the nearby Hercules Transit Center. Oakland International Airport is a 30-mile drive from Rodeo.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
