CoCoElders411.net

Learning & Leisure

Let’s have some fun!

Whether you love learning new things, taking exercise classes, going on field trips, playing bingo or bridge, learning and leisure activities add to your quality of life.

Lifelong learning and leisure activities have positive effects on older adults, such as increasing happiness, satisfaction, creativity, personal growth, and may even improve longevity. Leisure activities with others may provide social support and enrich meaning of life. Many cities in Contra Costa County have programs for seniors who are residents as well as non-residents.

  • Antioch – The Antioch Senior Center offers activities and classes on a weekly basis. https://www.antiochca.gov/recreation/senior-center/senior-center-activities/ (Anyone 50+ who may need financial assistance in order to attend Senior Center classes, programs and events may complete an online application.)
  • Brentwood – The City of Brentwood provides a number of activities and classes through the Brentwood Senior Citizen’s Club (BSCC). Classes are free to members of BSCC. https://www.brentwoodca.gov/government/parks-recreation/recreation/senior-activities-and-programs/brentwood-senior-citizen-s-club.
    The Park and Recreation department also provides a program. https://rec.brentwoodnh.gov/programs/post/Senior-Programs/736
  • Concord – The City of Concord provides an extensive offering of clubs, classes, activities and field trips through the Concord Senior Citizen’s Club (CSCC). Look for the link for the newsletter for membership information and calendar. https://cityofconcord.org/807/Senior-Citizens-Club. You may also contact the Senior Citizens Club, by calling (925) 687-2585 or via e-mail at concord.seniors@yahoo.com
  • Danville – The City of Danville offers special interest classes and activities. Cost: Fees vary for classes and residents/non-residents. https://www.Danville.ca.gov/200/Seniors
  • El Cerrito – The City of El Cerrito is home to a number of senior centers that offer learning and leisure activities. For general resources for older adults, see their webpage https://el-cerrito.org/796/General-Resources-for-Seniors.
  • Hercules – The Hercules Senior Center is a partner of Contra Costa Health Services. In addition to the meal program, they offer a variety of classes and activities. https://www.ci.hercules.ca.us/government/parks-recreation/50-adult-activities
    To contact them by phone, call (510) 799-8219.
  • Lafayette – The City of Lafayette offers classes to members through their Lafayette Senior Services program. Cost: Fees vary for classes and members/non-members (90+ free of charge). Find information and membership forms at https://www.lovelafayette.org/city-hall/city-departments/parks-trails-recreation/senior-services/programs-services
  • Martinez – The City of Martinez offers a wide range of activities and a few classes to persons 50+ at their Martinez Senior Community Center. Cost: Membership is $15 per year. https://seniorcenter.us/sc/martinez_senior_community_center_martinez_ca
  • Moraga – The City of Moraga offers a few classes and field trips for persons 55+ through their Park and Recreation department. Cost: Varies according to session length, class, or trip offerings; participants need to create a Moraga Park and Rec account to register. https://secure.rec1.com/CA/moraga-parks-recreation/catalog
  • Orinda – The City of Orinda offers a wide variety of enriching experiences for adults and seniors including special interest classes, trips, drop-in clubs, and sports. Cost: Varies: some classes are free of charge but require pre-registration. Unique drop-in offerings include tech assistance, birding, and walks. https://cityoforinda.org/192/Adult-Seniors-Programs-Classes#
  • Pinole – The Pinole Senior Center’s programs are designed to appeal to a wide range of mature adults residing within the City of Pinole and surrounding communities. To assist seniors in keeping healthy we offer a wide range of classes, day trips, long distance trips, meal programs, and more. Cost: Annual membership fees and varying donor sponsorships help to sustain the program; scholarships are also available. View the monthly newsletter for more information. https://www.ci.pinole.ca.us/city_government/senior_center#
  • Pittsburg – Pittsburg Senior Center strives to create an active and engaging environment for our seniors.  To ensure that we are meeting the needs of all of our seniors, we partner with several non-profit agencies, volunteers and other organizations to provide a variety of expanding services. Cost: Free to $30, create an account to enroll in classes and activities. https://secure.rec1.com/CA/city-of-pittsburg/catalog/
  • Pleasant Hill – The Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District offers a variety of activities for seniors aged 50 and up. Some of the activities include American Mah Jongg, Bingo, Book Club, Boutique Group, Chess, Marathon Bridge, Pinochle, Senior Bridge, Tea Dance and Ted Talks. Cost: An annual membership fees are $20 per year, with scholarships available through application. Membership is required to register for classes. https://www.pleasanthillrec.com/341/Seniors
  • Richmond – The City of Richmond Community Services Department offers a variety of educational, social, recreational, nutritional, and human service programs for adults 55 years and older. Activities include daily exercise programs, art classes, nutritional lunch programs, ballroom dancing, tai chi, country western line dancing, bingo, swing dance, and game room activities like billiards and gin rummy1. They also have HICAP Counseling, Blood Pressure Screening, Monthly Birthday Celebrations, and numerous other special events. Cost: Varies by class or activity. Must have an account and membership to register.   https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/2179/Richmond-Senior-Center
  • San Pablo – The San Pablo Senior Center is a multi-service center that offers recreational and educational activities, special events and services focused on nutritional, transportation and social needs. The senior program provides services and facilities that enhance the quality of life for San Pablo’s senior citizens. Their center serves as a focal point for linking seniors with much-needed social services, as well as fostering social interaction through activities and volunteerism, and providing opportunities for continued intellectual growth and development. Cost: Membership is free for residents within the San Pablo city limits, $10 for non-residents. https://www.sanpabloca.gov/1144/Seniors
  • San Ramon – Several activities and classes are offered for adults 55+ through San Ramon Park and Recreation. A robust selection of activities are offered at the San Ramon Senior Center and Central Park, as well as offsite lunch bunch trips, Cost: Varies by class/event; resident and non-resident fees collected through online registration. Register online at www.SanRamonRecGuide.com https://www.sanramon.ca.gov/our_city/departments_and_divisions/parks_community_services/adults_55/trips___special_events
  • Walnut Creek – The City of Walnut Creek’s Recreation division provides a variety of programs and services for seniors, including the Senior Care Hotline. They also connect seniors with resources provided by our partner organizations, such as Meals on Wheels Diablo Region; Contra Costa Senior Legal Services; Senior Peer Counseling Services; Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP); Covia’s Home Match program; and our county’s Aging & Adult Services department. The Walnut Creek Seniors Club (WCSC), is based at the Civic Park Community Center that serves more than 2,500 active adults, age 50 and better. You do not need to be a Walnut Creek resident to be a member of WCSC. Cost: Membership is $20 annually. https://www.walnut-creek.org/departments/arts-and-recreation/recreation-parks/adults-50/adult-50-programs cpcc@walnut-creek.org 925.943.5852

Contra Costa County Library Academy

Provided by Contra Costa County Library Network. Explore a vast range of topics from languages to genealogy and from auto repair to National Geographic! https://my.nicheacademy.com/ccclib 
Cost: Free. Available to All   

Contra Costa County Library System

CCC Library System A wealth of information and resources at your fingertips! https://ccclib.org/resource/ 
Cost: Free. Available to All. 

Diablo Valley College (DVC) – Lifelong Learning Program

Diablo Valley College encourages lifelong learning through a wide variety of online and in-person courses. Sign up for the Lifelong Learning newsletter and search for courses at https://www.dvc.edu/business/lifelong-learning/index.html.

Ability Now Bay Area

Ability Now Bay Area (Formerly known as the Cerebral Palsy Center for the Bay Area) offers adults with developmental and physical disabilities the most comprehensive and cutting-edge services available. Our unique programs include education, communication, computer literacy, vocational training, wellness, and community integration. We promote self-advocacy, independent living skills, and leisure skills, enhancing our participants’ ability to live more independent and fulfilled lives. https://abilitynowbayarea.org  Cost: Free. Available to All 

Noteworthy…Good to Know

The resources listed on CoCoElders411.net are provided by local non-profit and government organizations, sometimes there are resources that deserve to be mentioned even though they are not free or local.

  • SeniorPlanet – A wide range of live online classes relevant to the needs of older adults. There are classes scheduled all day long on Mon-Fri and AARP membership is NOT required.
    https://seniorplanet.org | Phone: 510.501.5485
  • Front Porch – A broad range of course offerings for older adults. Sessions are offered online with a course catalog published every semester/season. The courses are free and participants can phone in as well.
    https://frontporch.net | Phone: 800.233.3709
    Catalog: https://frontporch.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Well-Connected-Fall-2024-Catalog.pdf
  • AI (artificial intelligence) – Most of the focus for older adults and AI is focused on how it can be used to improve services and speed up research, rather than on content generation. If you’re interested in learning how to generate text, images, videos, songs on your own, check out limited free subscriptions along with online tutorials. Some intriguing starting points include:
    – ChatGPT for answering questions and generating text and images
    https://chatgpt.com/
    – MidJourney for generating images
    https://www.midjourney.com/home
    – Synthesia for generating video in multiple languages with or without a camera
    https://www.synthesia.io/
    – Sonauto for generating songs (lyrics, vocals, and recordings in multiple music genres)
    https://easywithai.com/ai-music-generators/sonauto/

Social Connection – Friendly Visitors, Callers, and Helpers

Meals on Wheels Diablo Region – Friendly Visitors provide a weekly visit to adults 60 and older. Friendly Callers provide twice a week calls. Friendly Helpers can help with tasks like running errands. https://www.mowdiabloregion.org https://www.mowdiabloregion.org/friendly-visitors-callers-and-helpers Cost: Free. Open to All Contra Costa County residents

Front Porch – Well Connected is a free is a community where you can explore, laugh, learn, and share experiences, building caring friendships along the way. Well Connected is available 365 days a year, free of charge to participants 60 and up. Phone: 877.79.7299.
https://frontporch.net/connect/well-connected/

Health & Wellness Classes

Meals on Wheels Diablo Region – Nutrition Education and Physical Activity classes are provided free of charge at several locations throughout Contra Costa. https://www.mowdiabloregion.org https://www.mowdiabloregion.org/exercise-class-schedule Cost: Free. Open to All Contra Costa residents

Volunteer and Get Involved

Volunteer

Volunteers are always welcome at nonprofit organizations. Use the following links to see how you can help:

  • Choice in Aging
  • Empowered Aging
  • Meals on Wheels Diablo Region

Got a resource to share? Use this form to send us information for a resource (website, poster, etc. from a local non-profit or government agency).

Disclaimer: This website is meant to be a useful starting point and is not an endorsement for the services listed. The site is not affiliated with ACOA, EHSD, or any other organization.