Hercules Real Estate

A little about Hercules

Right off San Pablo Bay, and just east of San Francisco Bay, Hercules, California, is a mid-sized town with a population of around 20,000. It is located in Contra Costa County, about 25 miles northeast of San Francisco, and can be reached from there or Oakland within about 30 minutes. The town was established in the 1880s as company housing for California Powder Works, and derives its name from the company’s leading brand of explosives, Hercules. Health care, finance and insurance are the largest industries here now, with the nearest hospital seven miles away in San Pablo and a major player Bio-Rad Laboratories, which is based here. The town is suburban and small, with a close-knit, family-oriented feel.

There are five city parks here, including Refugio Valley Park and its 66 acres. There are also around 950 acres of open space, with public areas and trails located around the town. Franklin Canyon Golf Course and the Community Swim Center add to the community’s offerings. One high school, one middle school and three elementary schools make up the public school system here. An annual Cultural Festival is celebrated each year with food, merchants and more. The Western Contra Costa Transit Authority bus system operates here, providing connections to the Bay Area’s BART rail system stations and AC Transit stops.