Refugio Creek is a 4.4 miles (7.1 km) watercourse running through the Refugio Valley from the hills of western Contra Costa County, California

Contra Costa County, California

Contra Costa County is a primarily suburban county in the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 1,049,025...

, to its mouth at San Pablo Bay

San Pablo Bay

San Pablo Bay is a tidal estuary that forms the northern extension of San Francisco Bay in northern California in the United States. Most of the Bay is shallow; however, there is a deep water channel approximately in mid bay, which allows access to Sacramento, Stockton, Benicia, Martinez, and...

 through the cities of Hercules

Hercules, California

Hercules is a city in western Contra Costa County, California. Situated along the coast of San Pablo Bay, it is located in the eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area, about northeast of San Francisco. The city has a 2010 population of 24,060 according to the U.S...

 and Rodeo

Rodeo, California

Rodeo is a census-designated place located in Contra Costa County, California on the shore of San Pablo Bay. The population was 8,679 at the 2010 census. The town is named for the livestock roundups common in the late 19th century...

, in addition to unincorporated areas. The creek passes through a dense suburban area in addition to Refugio Valley Park. The creek is almost entirely at the surface level and unaltered although its riparian habitat is largely destroyed in the more developed areas. Refugio means "refuge" in the Spanish language.