Discovery Bay

Unincorporated Town,

Contra Costa County

© McCormack's Guides

 

Zip Code: 94514

Water-oriented community on eastern border of Contra Costa, near Byron. Nice homes, most middle class, some luxurious. www.mccormacks.com

One section with deep anchorages is called “Millionaires’ Row.” Discovery Bay started out in the 1970s as a retirement or second-home village that tapped into Delta recreation. Homes generally back up to the water or onto the golf course. Many homes have their own docks.

By and by, families and working adults bought in and the majority today use Discovery Bay as permanent home. Sales coincided with the office boom in Central Contra Costa, the San Ramon Valley and Pleasanton.

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The residential buck just went a helluva lot farther in Discovery Bay and the commute was not that long. But even when it was long — San Jose — people bought the homes.

Another factor: computers and the web. Many people, the local newspaper reports, are working more at home.

The 1990 census counted 5,351 residents, the 2000 census, 8,981, an increase of about 3,500. Discovery Bay is still building and by now has about 10,000 residents and if you include the developments rising near the original Discovery Bay the number might rise about 175,000. www.mccormacks.com

Going up in stages, a development that will include 1,947 residential units, park, fire station, school. Other, smaller projects to follow.

Discovery Bay is unincorporated. It does not have municipal boundaries.

Some want Discovery Bay to incorporate as city but without a stronger tax base (more stores) idea might not fly. Residents have formed a taxing district to raise money for local needs, such as maintaining shrubs and trees. A Municipal Advisory Council is community watchdog, sounding board.

Discovery Bay was built in neighborhoods with separate homeowner associations and fees to maintain the common grounds for each section.

Crime low. Patrolled by sheriff’s deputies. www.mccormacks.com

Scores, compared to other California schools, are generally above the 50th percentile in Discovery Bay Elementary. From there, kids go to Byron Middle School and Liberty High in Brentwood. See Schools.

Byron Elementary School District opened another elementary to handle growing enrollments. The high school has passed renovation bonds; the elementary district failed on three tries but the fourth, in 2006, was a winner. The money will be used to overhaul the middle school.

The new neighborhood called Discovery Bay West is located within the Knightsen Elementary District — one school, Kinder to 8^th, scoring in the 60^th and 70^th percentile. Anticipating more students, this district plans to open a second school in 2008.

The local districts are arguing over school attendance boundaries. Parents should check the school district to find out the assigned schools.

Fishing, boating, water skiing, tennis, the outdoor life, pocket parks. Athletic club. Many residents own RVs and boats. Baseball and soccer for the kids. Mt. Diablo nearby. Community library at school. Short drive to skiing and gambling in the Sierra. Lot of farm country, tomatoes, asparagus, fruit trees. www.mccormacks.com

Two shopping plazas opened in recent years — supermarket, Starbucks, steak house, sushi, sports bar, dentist, chiropractor, spa, more. For higher shopping, Brentwood and Antioch (Wal-Mart, Barnes and Noble, etc.)

The drawbacks: If you want movies and a good choice of restaurants you have to drive (but more restaurants are expected to open.)

Second, the commute: many complaints. The East County has boomed with new housing that has overwhelmed the roads. Even after major improvements to the roads, complaints are many. See Commute.

Buses to Antioch and Pittsburg, connection to BART. Vasco Road, improved a few years ago, makes the trip easier to Livermore and Interstate 580.

• After years of discussion, the services district appears ready to purchase land for a community center. www.mccormacks.com