Looking for a sunny, charming getaway in the East Bay? Visit Pleasanton! Set against rolling hills and filled with tree-lined streets, Pleasanton blends small-town charm with upscale dining, historic architecture, and outdoor adventures. Whether you're craving a weekend escape or a stop along a wine country road trip, Pleasanton has plenty to offer.
Pleasanton, CA Highlights:
- For History Buffs: Explore Downtown Pleasanton – Stroll historic Main Street, browse boutique shops, and admire preserved 19th-century buildings.
- For Wine Lovers: Sip and savor at Ruby Hill Winery – Enjoy tastings, scenic vineyard views, and a refined wine country experience.
- For Outdoor Enthusiasts: Hike at Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park – Trek scenic ridgelines with panoramic views of the Tri-Valley.
- For Families: Discover fun at Alameda County Fairgrounds – Attend the summer fair, explore the racetrack, or visit during special events.
- For Couples: Catch a show at Firehouse Arts Center – Enjoy live music, theater, or comedy in a charming downtown venue.
Best Time to Visit Pleasanton, CA
The best time to visit Pleasanton is in the spring and fall (March–May and September–November). You'll find warm, dry weather ideal for wine tasting, hiking, and strolling downtown without the summer crowds.
How to Get to Pleasanton, CA
- If you are traveling by car: Located off I-580 and I-680, Pleasanton is about 45 minutes from San Francisco and 30 minutes from San Jose.
- By Train: Pleasanton is served by BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) with a station at Dublin/Pleasanton for easy access to the greater Bay Area.
- By Air: Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Jose International Airport (SJC) are both within a 45-minute drive.
Where to Stay in Pleasanton, CA
- Recommended for Families: Residence Inn Pleasanton – All-suite hotel with kitchenettes and a pool, near shopping and dining at Stoneridge Mall.
- For Couples: The Rose Hotel – Luxurious boutique hotel with elegant decor and impeccable service, located in the heart of downtown.
- For Business or Extended Stays: Hyatt House Pleasanton – Contemporary accommodations with full kitchens and convenient freeway access.
Best Things to Do in Pleasanton, CA
1. For Foodies: Pleasanton Farmers' Market
Rating: ★★★★★
The Pleasanton Farmers' Market is a local market that is held every Saturday, year-round and sells a wide range of fresh California-grown farm produce. Located on Main Street and West Angela Street, the Pleasanton Farmers' Market sells a range of delicious goods, including fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, honey, fresh flowers, prime cuts of meat and chicken, ocean-fresh seafood, artisan cheese, almond butter, flavored and coated nuts, and unroasted nuts. The market participates in the Open Heart program, a non-profit meal service which collects donations of fresh produce for 3,500 meals each week in Pleasanton, Dublin, and Livermore.
46 W Angela St, Pleasanton, CA 94566, Phone: 925-825-9090
2. For Relaxation Seekers: Ruby Hill Winery
Ruby Hill Winery is family-owned and operated winery that produces a range of balanced and approachable wines. Handcrafted to embrace the fruit essence of each varietal, wines can be tasted in the winery’s spacious tasting room where friendly and knowledgeable staff are on hand to guide visitors through fun and comprehensive wine tasting experience. Ruby Hill Winery also sells gourmet deli items, wine accessories and apparel, as well as a selection of tasting flights. Visitors can also enjoy a comprehensive excursion through the vineyards and production facility known as the Mello Cielo Vineyard Experience, which includes a unique two-hour wine tasting experience, a customized tour through the vineyards on a dedicated bus, and a sit-down food and wine pairing at the historic water tower.
400 Vineyard Ave, Pleasanton, CA 94566, Phone: 925-931-9463
3. For Culture Fans: Museum on Main
Located under the arch in historic Downtown Pleasanton, the Museum on Main (MoMS) is a Smithsonian outreach program that documents and presents the history of the Tri-Valley region from Native American habitation through to modern day presence. Usually hosted at a local museum, library or community center, the museum features a range of permanent and traveling exhibits highlighting the local history and heritage of the area, covering topics of broad national interest such as work history, food traditions, sports, food, and other themes. Free-standing exhibitions range between 500 and 800 square feet in size and include audio and video presentations, interactive components, and objects in cases.
603 Main St, Pleasanton, CA 94566, Phone: 925-462-2766
4. For Outdoor Enthusiasts: Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area
Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area is a public park on the border of Pleasanton and Livermore that forms part of the East Bay Regional Parks system. Once a former gravel quarry, the U.S. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation converted to old quarry into an 80-acre recreational park with a lake, picnic facilities and large parking lot. The lake features a sandy beach and supports fishing, recreational boating, and year-round swimming, and there is a small refreshment stand on the beach during the summer months. An Interpretive Center offers information on the park, and there is ample free parking for visitors in a large parking lot.
2500 Stanley Blvd, Pleasanton, CA 94566
Recommended Activities for Families
5. For Dog Walkers: Augustin Bernal Park
Augustin Bernal Park is a 237-acre park in the hills southwest of Pleasanton that connects to Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park and offers a range of outdoor recreation and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages and abilities. Donated to the city by Walter S. Johnson in 1971, Augustin Bernal Community Park is named after Spanish settler, Augustin Bernal to whom the land on which the park sits, was initially granted. Located on the top and east face of Pleasanton Ridge, the park provides hiking, biking and equestrian trails with spectacular views, plus opportunities to explore a vestigial landscape that is disappearing in California. Sharing large sections of its west, south and north boundaries with East Bay Regional Park District’s Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, the park protects a valuable portion of the ridge and also secures a link in a “necklace of green,” nearly encircling San Francisco Bay.
8200 Golden Eagle Way, Pleasanton, CA 94566, Phone: 925-931-3483
6. For History Buffs: Alviso Adobe Community Park
The Alviso Adobe Community Park is a fully-restored interpretive seven-acre park in Pleasanton that is built around an adobe house constructed by Francisco Alviso in 1854 and which was continuously in use until 1969. Registered as a California Historic Landmark, the Alviso Adobe is a rare surviving example of an early American adobe and is furnished as it would have been in the 1920s. Located between Old Foothill Road and Foothill Road, the park has been beautifully landscaped with native plants, and fruit trees set amongst ancient heritage oak trees and a seasonal creek and features a replica of a historical Meadowlark Dairy, an activity area, and interpretive displays of Ohlone culture.
3465 Old Foothill Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94588
7. For Thrill Fans: Alameda County Fairgrounds
The Alameda County Fairgrounds is a 270-acre facility located in Pleasanton that has hosted the annual Alameda County Fair since 1912, as well as numerous trade shows and community events. The Alameda County Fairgrounds is also home to the Pleasanton Fairgrounds Racetrack, which was built in 1858 and is the oldest one-mile horse-racing track in the United States. Other features at the grounds include the Amador Pavilion, a multi-purpose arena and livestock event facility; a 3,000-seat amphitheater, and a 9-hole golf course within the horse-racing track infield; and the Heathcote-MacKenzie House, also known as The Heritage House, which was built on the site of the fairgrounds around 1905. There is also a model train exhibit maintained by the Alameda County Central Railroad Society that has been at the Alameda County Fairgrounds since 1959.
Gate 8 or Gate 12 Corner of Bernal and, Valley Ave, Pleasanton, CA 94566, Phone: 925-426-7600
Attractions for Couples
8. For Scenic View Seekers: Rubino Estates Winery
Rubino Estates Winery is a Californian-Italian winery that produces award-winning wines against a backdrop of picturesque views of the Livermore Valley. The winery produces a range of complex yet smooth wines for every occasion and palate from hand selected Californian and Italian grape varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, an earthy Barbera, a spicy Sangiovese, and a crisp Trebbiano. Rubino Estates Winery features a modern tasting room, a gourmet deli, a bocce court and beautiful grounds for outdoor picnicking. Rubino Estates Winery is open every day of the week for tours and tastings.
1188 Vineyard Ave, Pleasanton, CA 94566, Phone: 925-484-1699
Where to Eat in Pleasanton, CA
9. For Date Night Diners: Hap's Original Steaks & Seafood
Located in the heart of downtown Pleasanton, Hap's Original Steaks & Seafood is a classic New York-style steak, and seafood house that specializes in the finest dry-aged cuts of beef such as Midwestern corn-fed certified Angus Prime Beef, lamb, chicken, and fresh seafood and fish straight from the ocean. Using locally sourced ingredients from local artisan producers and farmers, the restaurant serves a menu of stellar cuisine in a casual and relaxed environment. The cuisine is accompanied by an award-winning wine list with more than 300 wines from around the world, including California-centric wines from the Napa Valley Region, and classic French champagnes. Hap's Original Steaks & Seafood is open for dinner, seven nights a week.
122 Neal St, Pleasanton, CA 94566, Phone: 925-600-9200
Plan Your Trip