Concord, California, is a city located in the San Francisco Bay Area. The city was established in 1869 and now has a total population of almost 125,000 residents. Concord is around 45 minutes from San Francisco and half an hour from Oakland by car. Concord belongs to a metropolitan area of over 4 million inhabitants.
Housing Statistics The average price per square foot of living space within Concord is $247. This figure shows a rise of 37.2% compared to last year. The median sales price for residences in the area currently sits at $370,000, calculated from 493 home sales during the period of May 13 to July 13. This is a 39.6% increase from the previous year. At the moment, Concord has 158 new and resale homes on the market. There are 411 homes currently pre-foreclosure, at the bank-owned stage or in auction. Renters comprise a total of 36.52% of the city's population and 6.04% of houses are currently vacant. These houses are available for rent, buy and rent to own. Some popular areas in the city are Dana Estates and Cambridge Park.
Local Restaurants There are many great restaurants in Concord, and the bulk of eateries offer New England fare, along with fresh seafood from the Atlantic coast. Another popular trademark offering is American apple pie with maple syrup. In addition to these home-grown delicacies, there are many international options, including Mexican, Italian and Asian food. Concord is renowned for its variety of quality Japanese restaurants currently operating. Some great dining options include Digger's Diner on 1895 Farm Bureau Rd; Fiore Ristorante on 5100 Claytin Road, for the best authentic Italian food available in the area; Happy Roll Concord, on 2118 Willow Pass Road, for the tastiest sushi in town; Best Burger, on 1991 Monument Blvd, for juicy and fresh local burgers; and DJ's Bistro, on 1825 C Sutter Street, for the real Western European flavor.
Tourist Attractions There is an array of tourist attractions within Concord, including the famous Capitol Square, which consists of the majority of the city's public buildings. These include the State Capitol, the State Library, the City Hall, a range of churches and the Concord Public Library. The State Capitol is perhaps the most impressive landmark on display, made from granite and marble. The Capitol houses 157 portraits of well-known native sons and the Memorial Arch. When President Franklin Pierce visited Concord, he stated at the Pierce Manse, which was constructed in 1838 and has since been restored for public exhibition. Another impressive attraction is the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium. The Planetarium is a 92-seat theater which takes visitors on a trip through space with wrap-around visuals and audio.
Local Shopping The central shopping district in Concord is made up of 10 blocks right the way along Main Street. The area surrounds Eagle Square Park. One of the main malls in the district is the Steeplegate Mall, which houses a total of 75 stores. Highly recommended stop-offs are Jory's Flowers on 1330 Galaxy Way B, for the most impressive flower decorations, and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory on 2485 Sand Creek Road for chocolate lovers. For video game fans, Equilibrium Games is a must. Located on 3438-3442 Clayton Road, this classic video game haven sells all the latest games, systems, accessories and retro consoles like the Atari and Sega Saturn.
School Systems The Concord School District boasts some highly impressive offerings. There are a number of programs attached to the local high schools which make for an exciting change. There is the Environmental Education Program which utilizes a local Science Center and the White Farms classroom, while the Artist-in-the-Schools Program brings in professional artists to work on arts and crafts with the kids. The Concord High School Vocational Center provides students with training for high-technology companies. All classrooms in the city offer high-speed internet access.