Greathouse Visitor Center Entrance, Black Diamond Mines

Black Diamond Mines Greathouse Visitor Center

Alert FIRE - Very High Fire Danger - Level 1 Restrictions in Effect in Northeast and Central FDRA

Level 1 restrictions for Very High Fire Danger will be in effect for Friday, June 20, 2025. 

Parks are scheduled to remain open with the following restrictions:

  • No campfires outside of designated day-use picnic areas, campgrounds, or developed recreational areas.  Barbeques permitted only in designated day-use picnic areas, campgrounds or developed recreational areas. Gas-fueled stoves are permitted in all areas.
  • Vehicles are restricted to driving only on designated roadways; no cross-country driving.
  • No use of gasoline powered equipment (e.g., mowers in rough areas, weed eaters, chain saws, welders and generators) outside of irrigated areas, designated campgrounds or developed recreational areas unless extra protection fire safety measures approved by the Fire Chief are implemented.
  • Maintenance of irrigated areas and road grading are permitted.
  • Increase monitoring and patrol by Park Staff.
Northeast and Central Regions || Fire Danger Levels & Restrictions 
    Updated June 19, 2025.

    Area Closure

    The Greathouse Visitor Center and mines are Temporarily Closed. Please check back for updates on reopening dates. Mine tours are unavailable until further notice. Weather permitting, staff is available by the upper parking lot with park information and educational activities Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 10am-2pm. Programs and walks are still being offered, please click VIEW EVENTS button in the Black Diamond Mines Naturalist Programs box below for details. Updated June 17, 2025.

    Fees

    Admission is free. Parking fee is $5 per vehicle on weekends and holidays (Visa/Master Card, cash or check only).

    Hours

    Sat. & Sun.: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    Friday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

    Address

    5175 Somersville Road
    (Somersville Road exit off Highway 4)
    Antioch, CA 94509

    Phone

    (510) 544-2750

    Venue Activities

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    Kid friendly
    Kid-Friendly

    The Greathouse Visitor Center is located in Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in an underground chamber excavated in the mid-1920s. View the workings of a 20th-century sand mine and learn about the lives of 19th-century coal and 20th-century sand miners. The center contains displays, photographs, and artifacts related to the park’s coal and sand mining eras.

    Admission is free. Parking fee is $5 per vehicle on weekends and holidays (Visa/Master Card, cash or check only). Dogs are permitted on leash within the Visitor Center but not on Mine Tours.

    For more information, call (510) 544-2750

    Accessibility

    The Greathouse Visitor Center is located ¼ mile past the upper parking lot along a partially paved, partially gravel trail with some incline. If you would like to request an accommodation to access the Visitor Center, experience exhibits and videos, shop in the gift store, or participate in a mine tour, please call ahead at (510) 544-2750. Please give at least 1-week advanced notice for accommodation requests.
    The Greathouse Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible. There are also ADA-accessible restrooms and an accessible water fountain in the upper parking lot.

    View programs/events at all visitor centers

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    Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

    Black Diamond Mines Naturalist Programs

    Join us for our monthly programs!