Golden Labyrinth

Welcome to Golden Labyrinth, an independent earth art installation in Martinez, California

Labyrinth diagram

US Coastal and Geodetic Survey mark “Martinez"

Labyrinth site location

Curious cows are cute, but kick the labyrinth path rocks around and knock over calendar stones

A fiery sunset shows the magnificent views from the hilltop site

Sunrise over Golden Labrinth

Labyrinth

The project’s design is a variation on the five circuit medieval labyrinth with some fairly unique features:

At its center is the US Coast and Geodetic Survey mark “Martinez”, making the installation geographically significant.

The labyrinth is perfectly aligned with the compass rose using celestial references, the visitor entering facing due east.

Solar calendar stones align the center of the labyrinth with sunrise and sunset at the equinoxes and solstices. Stonehenge in Martinez!

Location

In the East Bay Regional Parks District Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline park, atop a hill with sweeping 360 degree views of Mount Diablo, Mount Tamalpais, the Carquinez Straits, Suisun Bay, and more. GPS coordinates:

38.00563612450541, -122.14781079080338

Directions

Park at the west end of “F” Street in Martinez and hike on the dirt fire road westward and uphill, continuing west and/or uphill at every intersection. Hike to the highest point possible without leaving the road (about 1 mile), where you will see the labyrinth on your right. Best to use the GPS coordinates. It is a moderately strenuous hike with a 700 ft gain in elevation.

Construction

The building material is stone sourced from nearby cell tower construction sites, hand-carried uphill from ¼ mile away. The project adheres to East Bay Regional Parks District Rules and Regulations (Ordinance 38 section 805):

“No person shall damage, injure, collect or remove earth, rocks, sand, gravel, fossils, minerals, features of caves, or any article or artifact of geological interest or value located on District parklands.”

Others

Looking for other labyrinths?

Google Maps shows numerous other labyrinth installations in the area.
The World-Wide Labyrinth Locator is a registry for labyrinths everywhere, with links to other excellent labyrinth resources.

Contact

Interested in participating in its development or maintenance? Become a friend of Golden Labyrinth! We can add you to the mailing list and the community. Questions about the project? Drop us a note.

friends@goldenlabyrinth.org