Outdoor Recreation in Antioch


Noted as the “Gateway to the Delta,” Antioch is a natural recreation destination. The city sits at the confluence of the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers, making Antioch a major draw for boaters, hunters, anglers and other water sports enthusiasts. The Delta area is also a top destination for camping and relaxation because it boasts numerous waterfront resorts and quality campgrounds/RV parks.

Several well-maintained park sites and outdoor venues are available in the area, beginning with the City of Antioch’s Recreation Department. It oversees more than 300 acres of parkland and facilities in the community, with notable sites including the Antioch Water Park, the municipal Marina and a dog park at Markley Creek Park. Within the local parks, guests find ball and soccer fields, basketball courts, picnic sites, playgrounds and tot lots, trails and open space.

The community is also home to several locations under the direction of the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD). The 780-acre Contra Loma Regional Park is great for year-round fishing, swimming, hiking, biking and opportunities for nature study. The Antioch/Oakley Regional Shoreline Park supplies easy access to fishing in the San Joaquin River. EBRPD also manages the Delta de Anza Regional Trail, which intersects at Antioch’s Mokulumne Trail and at the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, a more than 6,000-acre area featuring hiking trails, picnic sites, naturalist programs, two camping areas and tours of the Hazel-Atlas Mine.

Antioch is also home to the Dow Wetlands preserve, a 472-acre wildlife habitat open to the public for recreation and enjoyment. The wetlands have received numerous awards, including the Wildlife Habitat Council’s Corporate Habitat of the Year. The property is home to beavers, otters, rabbits and more than 150 species of birds.

Together, the City Recreation Department and EBRPD supply a year-round catalog of recreational activities for residents of all ages. Antioch residents maintain an active lifestyle through enrichment offerings such as aquatics classes, day camps, athletic leagues, fitness classes, senior programs and free summer concerts.

The recreational outlets don’t end there. The city also hosts the Antioch Indoor Sports Center, Four Stars Gymnastics Academy, Paradise Skate Roller Rink and two 18-hole championship golf courses; the Golf Club at Roddy Ranch and Lone Tree Golf Course, both of which present a challenge to golfers of all skill levels.