El Sobrante in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

California & Nevada Railroad

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 26, 2016

1. California & Nevada Railroad Marker

Inscription. Here, following the base of San Pablo Ridge, ran the tracks of the California & Nevada Railroad. Incorporated in 1881, its founders had grand plans to run from Emeryville to Nevada. The line never got farther than Orinda. Until ending service in 1900, the narrow gauge railroad made money by hauling farm produce and running popular holiday excursions to picnic sites along San Pablo Creek. The never-realized town of Olinda was planned along the line, the name now memorialized by Olinda Road and Olinda Elementary School.

Erected 2014 by El Sobrante Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 37° 57.849′ N, 122° 19.07′ W. Marker is in El Sobrante, California, in Contra Costa County. It is on San Pablo Dam Road near El Portal Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3630 San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante CA 94803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Supermarket (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ranchos to Ranches (about 500 feet away); Park Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away); Arrival of the Strip Mall (approx. 0.2 miles away);

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El Sobrante's First Bank (approx. ¼ mile away); Cowboy Country (approx. ¼ mile away); El Sobrante's First Full-service Post Office (approx. 0.3 miles away); El Sobrante Chevrolet Service (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Sobrante.

Additional commentary.
1. Badly Faded
I went to visit this marker along with a number of nearby markers in El Cerrito and El Sobrante. Sadly, many of these markers are badly faded and unreadable at this time. We are thankful for the pictures that were previously submitted.

— Submitted March 9, 2026, by Rover Spotts of San Francisco, California.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 26, 2016

2. California & Nevada Railroad Marker

California & Nevada Railroad Marker (2026) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rover Spotts, March 7, 2026

3. California & Nevada Railroad Marker (2026)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 598 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on March 9, 2026, by Rover Spotts of San Francisco, California.