About Brentwood, CA

Brentwood, California is situated in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2010, the population of Brentwood was 51,481 people, which represents an increase over the population in 2000 of 121%.

During the late 1800’s, Brentwood started as a settlement, and still is known throughout the Bay Area for its agricultural products, mainly peaches, corn, and cherries. However, since 1990, many of the old orchards and farms have been replaced with suburban developments, as a direct result of urban sprawl. Brentwood is becoming ever increasingly residential, with the rate of population growth in the triple digits during the 1990’s and 69% between 2000 and 2005.

Initially, Brentwood was originally laid out on some property that was donated from some land that was owned by an East Contra Costa County settler named John Marsh, who bought Rancho Los Meganos in 1837, which was the property grant that Brentwood was established on. Mr. Marsh was instrumental in its becoming independent from Mexico and becoming part of the U.S. and was also one of the richest men in California. He sent letters that were published in newspapers all through the East, explaining the potential for agriculture in California. The result if his effort prompted the first wagon trains to arrive California. Mr. Marsh encouraged this, and until they could get settled, he permitted the newcomers to remain on his ranch. Rancho Los Meganos came to be the terminus of the California Trail. Brentwood was named after the ancestral home of Mr. Marsh, which was the community of Brentwood in the County of Essex, England.

In 1878, the first post office in Brentwood opened. The year 198s first post office was established in 1948 brought the incorporation of Brentwood as a city.

In 1910, a British Investment company known as Balfour, Guthrie and Company bought the John Marsh ranch. In addition, the company also invested heavily in other agricultural land in California. That same year, the Brentwood Hotel on Oak Street was constructed across from the railroad station. This replaced an earlier hotel on the same location that, in 1903 had burned to the ground and in 1967 was replaced by a service station.

Nothing symbolizes the transition of Brentwood to a modern bedroom community from a rural farming community better than the Brentwood water tower. This landmark is located across the street from the Brentwood Park and Ride on Walnut Street, and is the tallest structure in Brentwood. It is currently serving as a cell phone tower, and is no longer being used for its intended purpose. Water for the community is stored in large tanks on some hills outside the community.

The County of Contra Costa Agricultural Core, which is comprised of some 11,000 acres of still actively productive and preserved farm land borders Brentwood on three sides. Several different kinds of retail stores were constructed in the 1990’s, next to the Antioch-Brentwood border on Lone Tree Way, on both sides of SR-4B, approximately some 3.5 miles from downtown Brentwood. In 2008, an outdoor lifestyle retail known as the Streets of Brentwood opened.

In 2009, ground was broken for a new civic center. The Mission-style architectural was an inspiration for City Hall, the primary building. In 20912, the $60 million project was completed, and includes the most modern City Council Chambers, a 32,000 square foot community center, as well as a 280 space parking garage. Arts and crafts rooms are included in the community center in addition to studios for community exercise programs and dance classes. The center received a LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design silver certification for amenities that included infiltration planters, permeable paving, bioswales, and green roofs. In 2011, departments within the community started relocating into their new facility, and during that same year, the previous city hall was demolished.