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Pleasanton lies in the Amador Valley of eastern Alameda County, surrounded by golden hills and vineyards at the edge of the San Francisco Bay Area. It was founded in the 1850s, named after Union general Alfred Pleasonton, and grew as a farming and railroad town known for hops, grapes and horses. A clerk's misspelling gave the town its name, and it was incorporated in 1894.
Pleasanton's historic Main Street is one of the most charming in the Bay Area, with Victorian buildings, the famous Pleasanton arch, shops, restaurants and a Saturday farmers market. The Museum on Main tells the town's story.
The Alameda County Fairgrounds, home to one of the oldest horse racing tracks in the country, hosts the county fair each summer. Nearby, the Livermore Valley wine country, Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area and the trails of Pleasanton Ridge offer vineyards, a swimming lake and wide valley views.
Main Street in downtown Pleasanton keeps a small-town feel with historic buildings, the Pleasanton arch sign, restaurants, wine bars and boutiques. It hosts the Saturday farmers market, summer concerts and street festivals. Walk it end to end and stop at the Museum on Main, and use the free public lots behind the street.
Museum on Main is Pleasanton's history museum, housed in the old town hall on Main Street, with exhibits on the Ohlone, ranchos, hop farming, the railroad and the growth of the Tri-Valley. It also runs walking tours and talks. Admission is low cost, and the museum shop sells local history books and maps of the historic district.
The Firehouse Arts Center in downtown Pleasanton is a performing and visual arts venue built around a 1929 firehouse, with a theater for plays, concerts and dance, plus a free art gallery and classes. Shows feature local and touring performers. Check the season schedule, and visit the gallery before or after a downtown meal.
The Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton host the Alameda County Fair each summer, with rides, concerts and livestock shows, and the grounds include one of the oldest horse racing tracks in the US. Through the year the grounds hold markets, shows and festivals. Check the events calendar, and use the nearby BART station to avoid parking.
The Pleasanton Farmers Market sets up on Main Street every Saturday morning, year-round, with local growers selling fruit, vegetables, flowers, eggs and nuts, plus bread and prepared food. It is one of the Tri-Valley's busiest markets. Come early for the best produce and stay for coffee or brunch at a Main Street cafe.
Ruby Hill Winery on Vineyard Avenue in Pleasanton traces its roots to the 1880s and offers tastings of its wines in a tasting room overlooking vineyards in the Livermore Valley appellation. Picnic areas make it a relaxed stop. Reservations are recommended on weekends, and bring a designated driver for winery visits.
Alviso Adobe Community Park preserves an 1850s adobe house on a hilltop in Pleasanton, with exhibits on Ohlone life, rancho days and the dairy farm that later stood here. Trails, a reconstructed milking barn and views of the valley make it family friendly. The adobe is open on limited days, but the grounds are open daily.
Shadow Cliffs is an East Bay Regional Park in a former gravel quarry, with a lake for swimming at a sandy beach, fishing, boat rentals, picnic areas and trails. It is busy on summer weekends. A parking fee applies, and swimming is allowed only in the marked area when lifeguards or posted conditions permit it.
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park covers the long ridge west of town with grassy hills, oak woodland and old olive orchards, and offers many miles of trails for hikers, bikers and horse riders. Views reach Mount Diablo and the Tri-Valley. The climbs are steep with little shade, so go in the morning and carry plenty of water.
Augustin Bernal Park is a city-owned open space on the slopes of Pleasanton Ridge, with trails through oak woodland, grassland and creeks, open to Pleasanton residents and their guests. It is quieter than the regional park next door. Entry rules require a resident pass, so check the city's website before you go.
Stoneridge Shopping Center is the Tri-Valley's largest indoor mall, with department stores, around 160 shops and many restaurants near the I-580 and I-680 junction. It is also handy for a cool break on hot days. Parking is free, and the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station is a short drive or bus ride away.
Callippe Preserve Golf Course is Pleasanton's municipal 18-hole course, set in rolling hills that protect habitat for the rare Callippe silverspot butterfly. It is known for scenic views and well-kept fairways. Book tee times ahead, and visit the restaurant on the clubhouse patio for views over the course.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
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Photo: FASTILY, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: FASTILY, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: FASTILY, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0