Welcome to Pleasanton
Pleasanton California Overview.
Pleasanton, California is a part of the bay area, and could be considered a suburb of San Francisco, the most well-known city in the region. It is, however, closer to Oakland, being 25 miles to the east of that major city and 6 miles to the west of the major technology center of Livermore. This is the wealthiest mid-sized city in the nation, as of 2007. In Pleasanton, the median income in 2007 was $113,345. There are approximately 64,000 people who call this city their home. It has some very unique characteristics that make it stand out among its neighbors.
Given its location, it’s no surprise that the technology sector is a huge part of the economy in Pleasanton. This city hosts the offices of some of the largest telecom, scientific and Internet firms in the nation. It is also the home office location of some of the nation’s largest retailers. Many of these businesses are located in Hacienda Park. This is the classic business park associated with California’s tech industry: a home to numerous glass and steel contemporary structures which, in turn, house some of the most modern of businesses in the nation.
The community of Pleasanton has many features that make it attractive. One of the most significant is the downtown area. This part of the city was redesigned over the course of the 1990s. Today, it has a somewhat European feel to it, with many historical structures lining streets that are designed to cater to the needs of pedestrians more than they are to vehicle traffic. There are numerous restaurants in this area of the city, and a good number of them feature dining options that allow their customers to sit outside on the pleasantly quiet streets.
Pleasanton has large amounts of parkland. The most popular of these recreational areas is Shadow Cliffs Regional Park. Situated on the eastern side of the city, it is the home of a lake where many of the locals go to enjoy water sports. Boating and fishing are popular pastimes, as are swimming and other non-motorized sports. On the western side of the city are located Pleasanton Ridge Park and Augustin Bernal Park. Both of these areas are also very popular and usually draw many locals out on the weekends and holidays. There are plenty of recreational events held within the city on a regular basis, as well.
Pleasanton has a community group, the Pleasanton Downtown Association, which throws a series of events over the summer. These events include turning the downtown into a pedestrian-only area and throwing a street party every week during the summer months. There are also concerts held weekly in one of the city’s major parks, which constitute a very popular draw with locals. There is even a Farmer’s Market held on a weekly basis over the summer months. This mix of a very modern and fast-paced business culture with a laid-back, mid-sized town atmosphere greatly contribute to the popularity of this city.
