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Pleasanton, CA

Pleasanton is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. Located in the Amador Valley, it is a suburb in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. The population was 79,871 at the 2020 census. In 2005 and 2007, Pleasanton was ranked the wealthiest middle-sized city in the United States by the Census Bureau. Pleasanton is home to the headquarters of Safeway, Workday, Ellie Mae, Roche Molecular Diagnostics, Blackhawk Network Holdings, and Veeva Systems. Other major employers include Kaiser Permanente, Oracle and Macy's. Although Oakland is the Alameda County seat, a few county offices are located in Pleasanton. The Alameda County Fairgrounds are located in Pleasanton, where the county fair is held during the last week of June and the first week of July. Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park is located on the west side of town.

Before the establishment of Pleasanton in the 1850s, an earlier settlement in the location was called Alisal. It was located on the lands of the Rancho Santa Rita near the site of a Native American ranchera, around the Francisco Solano Alviso Adobe called El Alisal (The Sycamores), one of the earliest houses built in the valley in 1844. It is still standing and serves as the centerpiece of the Alviso Adobe Community Park. Alisal, nicknamed "The Most Desperate Town in the West", was one of the settlements located along La Vereda del Monte that was a haunt and refuge of bandits and desperados in the era following the beginning of the California Gold Rush. Main Street shootouts were not uncommon. Banditos such as Claudio Feliz and Joaquin Murrieta ambushed prospectors on their way back from the gold rush fields and then sought refuge in Alisal. In the 1860s Procopio, Narciso Bojorques, and others took refuge there. Alisal Elementary School reflects the city's original name.

Pleasanton is located on the lands of the Rancho Valle de San José and Rancho Santa Rita Mexican land grants. Its name was chosen in the 1860s by John W. Kottinger, an Alameda County justice of the peace, after his friend, Union Army cavalry Major General Alfred Pleasonton. A typographical error by a recording clerk in Washington, D.C., apparently led to the current spelling.

Pleasanton is adjacent to Hayward, Livermore, and Dublin. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.3 square miles (63 km2), of which 24.1 square miles (62 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (0.63%) is water. On the east side of town on Stanley Blvd. near the Livermore border is Shadow Cliffs Regional Park, a lake that permits swimming, fishing, and boating. On the west side is Pleasanton Ridge with two parks, Pleasanton Ridge and Augustin Bernal Park. Much of Pleasanton is drained by the Arroyo Valle and Arroyo Mocho watercourses. Pleasanton lies along the route of the historic First transcontinental railroad.

Pleasanton focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by Pleasanton’s Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Bay Club Pleasanton, Tribe Strength & Fitness, and The Exercise Coach Private Fitness Studio. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Pleasanton, such as the Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park and the Augustin Bernal Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and the enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Pleasanton, CA are Niles Canyon Railway, Ruby Hill Winery, and Museum on Main. 

Population: 75,664 (2024). ZIP codes: 94566, 94568, 94588. Area code: 925. Elevation: 351 ft (107 m). Area: 24.3 square miles (63 km2).

FAQs

Is Pleasanton, CA a good place to live?

Pleasanton is in Alameda County and is one of the best places to live in California. Living in Pleasanton offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Pleasanton, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.

What is the crime rate in Pleasanton, CA?

The total crime rate is 1,542 per 100,000 people. The Pleasanton crime rate is 34% lower than the national average, while the violent crime rate is 71% lower. There are 94 violent crimes per 100,000 people, well below the national average of 388. The property crime rate is 1,429 per 100,000 people. 

Is Pleasanton, CA expensive to live in?

The median home price in Pleasanton is $1,190,000 with a median price per sqft of $760. The cost of living index for housing estimates the cost of housing in Pleasanton to be 226.8% of the national average. This makes it one of the most expensive cities in the US.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Pleasanton

Pleasanton’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Bay Club Pleasanton

Tribe Strength & Fitness 

The Exercise Coach Private Fitness Studio

Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park 

Augustin Bernal Park

Niles Canyon Railway

Ruby Hill Winery

Museum on Main

Niche

Bekins Moving Services

Zero Down

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