5.2 out of 10

I-- 680, Martinez

38.0301322770626 -122.117164753639
Great for
  • Cost of Living
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Neighborly Spirit
Not great for
  • Clean & Green
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • No ratings yet
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Reviews

3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
2yrs+

"Gross"

The San Francisco Bay Area is full of bridges - and lots of them! The state certainly makes bank from the $4-$7 one-way tolls, but in most cases, the scenic views are completely worth it. There is nothing like crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge from Sausalito into San Francisco with the ocean on the right, or marveling at the massive San Francisco Bay from the nine-mile-long San Mateo Bridge.

The one exception to this rule? The Benicia-Martinez Bridge. Unlike some of the others that cross the SF Bay, this bridge actually crosses over the Suisan Bay and Carquinez Strait, and is just about as far off from the Bay Area as one can be while still actually being considered part of the Bay Area. This bridge is often easy to forget as you are leaving the Bay Area on 680, but come prepared to pay the eastbound $5 toll - or be stuck with a toll violation that is no fun.

Worse yet, the Suisan Bay area is oil rig country - pretty much the least scenic part of the SF Bay. Refineries abound, in an almost Wall-E-esque way. It is actually quite depressing to drive through, and sort of goes against the grain of California windmills and green energy.

Definitely an eyesore, but it does get you from Point A to Point B.
Pros
  • Views
  • Cheaper real estate
Cons
  • Oil refineries
  • Deceptive rush hour traffic
  • $5 toll

Unranked Streets in Martinez

Alhambra Ave

2.5/5
"Good Neigbhorhood South of Highway 4"
37.9833411367095 -122.119163283598

Arnold Dr

3.5/5
"A Pretty Average Suburban Stripmall Area"
37.9932039977439 -122.098788911181

C St

2.5/5
"Between the High School and the Football Field"
38.0052451325525 -122.132401205878

Estudillo St

2.5/5
"Old Bungalows, St. Catherine's and Starbucks"
38.0095553375109 -122.129429936134

F St

3.5/5
"Older Spot with Schools for All Ages"
38.0011026276807 -122.132535456326

Fig Tree Ln

3.5/5
"Typical Martinez Pleasantness"
37.9940459152797 -122.095554398831

Green St

3.5/5
"From Pill Hill to the Court House"
38.0146985406957 -122.138082311527

Howe Rd

3.5/5
"Omellets, Chainsaws and a Big Refinery"
38.0039651931918 -122.110842470663

Hull Ln

2.5/5
"Nice Suburban Street Close to Movie Theater"
37.9921840175793 -122.106382656129

I-- 680

2.5/5
"Gross"
38.0301322770626 -122.117164753639

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