Skip to content
Byway
Historic site · California

James Rankin

James Rankin from directly overhead

James Rankin is a historic site in California, at a modelled elevation of 28 m. Eagle Peak stands 722 m to the southeast, 14 miles off. The nearest named place is Rankin Park, a park less than a tenth of a mile away.

The record

What the record says

Inscription
In 1865, at the age of 17, James Rankin emigrated from a Scottish coal mining town after hearing of the "black gold" in Contra Costa. He worked with pick and shovel in the underground mines of Somersville. In 1885, Rankin was elected sheriff and moved...
Getting there

How to reach it

Driving directionsPlan a drive around it
Coordinates38.01556, -122.14451
Around it

Named places within 25 miles

Parks
  • Rankin Park: 0.0 mi
  • John Sparacino Park: 0.3 mi
  • Plaza Ignacio Martinez Park: 0.5 mi
  • Susana Street Park: 0.6 mi
  • Highland Ave. Park: 0.9 mi
Picnic sites
Historic sites
Artworks
  • Martinez Beavers: 0.4 mi
  • Benicia Bench: 2.1 mi
  • United States Peace Corps Fountain: 2.4 mi
  • John Muir and Alhambra Creek Watershed: 2.4 mi
  • John Muir Statue: 2.5 mi
Attractions
  • Arch Bridge: 0.6 mi
  • City of Benicia Fishing Pier: 2.3 mi
  • bandstand: 2.7 mi
  • Alhambra Creek Valley Staging Area: 4.2 mi
  • Labyrinth: 4.5 mi
Museums
Peaks
  • Old Martinez Summit: 0.7 mi
  • Franklin Crest: 0.7 mi
  • Mount Helen: 2.3 mi
  • Mount Wanda: 2.4 mi
  • Point Carquinez Overlook: 2.7 mi
Gardens
Nature reserves
Beaches: 23
Springs: 21
  • Sulfur Springs: 5.5 mi
  • Sulfur Spring: 12.2 mi
  • Soto Springs: 12.7 mi
  • Peach Tree Spring: 12.7 mi
  • Coffeeberry Spring: 13.8 mi
Ghost towns: 12
Waterfalls: 7
  • Abrigo Falls: 4.9 mi
  • Green Valley Falls: 18.2 mi
  • Dawn Falls: 23.4 mi
  • Haraszthy Falls: 24.3 mi
  • Buck Gulch Falls: 24.5 mi
Cliffs: 7
Lighthouses: 2
Rest areas: 1
  • Rest Stop: 5.2 mi
On the horizon

Summits around it

The highest named summits within 13.7 miles of James Rankin. Elevation from each summit’s own record; bearing measured between the two coordinates.

SummitBearingElevationDistance
Eagle PeakSE 125°722 m13.7 mi
Vollmer PeakSSW 205°581 m10.0 mi
Las Trampas PeakSSE 161°557 m13.3 mi
Chaparral PeakSSW 204°540 m10.4 mi
Grizzly PeakSSW 208°531 m10.4 mi
Round TopSSW 193°531 m11.7 mi
Barberry PeakSSW 200°513 m10.8 mi
Volcanic PeakSSW 195°498 m11.2 mi
Conditions

When to go

Light through the year

DateSunriseGolden hourSunset
March equinox07:1318:4619:21
June solstice05:4719:5620:35
September equinox06:5718:3219:07
December solstice07:2216:1216:53

Local time (America/Los_Angeles).

Climate normals

Months averaging 50–80 °F: Mar–Nov.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °F464953576267706967615246
Precip in3.93.82.71.30.60.30.00.00.10.82.13.8

1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, NOAA NCEI — Martinez WTP, 2 mi away.

Sources

Where this comes from

Location and category confirmed against OpenStreetMap.

OpenStreetMap

OpenStreetMap element node/797790972

More historic sites in California

Drive to it

Byway plans a real route around stops like this one.

Plan a driveMore historic sites
Private beta · Free to join

Take the scenic way to James Rankin.

Byway plans around your taste, verified places, real weather and opening hours — then opens every leg in Google Maps with one tap.

Private beta · Free to join · No card · Invite when a spot opens