Pleasanton is a city located in northern California in the Amador Valley and is part of the San Francisco Bay Area. The city was named in the 1860s after Union Army Cavalry Major General Alfred Pleasonton, although there was a typo in recording the name. Pleasanton was founded in 1894. The movie Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, starring Mary Pickford, was filmed there in 1917. Pleasanton is known for being the birthplace of the cowboy. There are many major companies headquartered in Pleasanton, including Safeway, Oracle, and Macy’s. The Alameda County Fairgrounds is located in Pleasanton, where the annual Alameda County Fair has been held since 1912. With plenty to keep you busy, Pleasanton is a good place to live.
Here’s what you have to look forward to after moving to Pleasanton, California!
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Where is Pleasanton California?
Pleasanton is a city in Alameda County. The nearest cities to Pleasanton are Dublin, 4 miles northwest, Livermore, 6 miles east, and Union City, 9 miles southwest. The nearest large cities are Fremont, 10 miles southwest, San Jose, 22 miles south, Oakland, 25 miles east, and San Francisco, 31 miles east.
Pleasanton Population & Demographics
The population of Pleasanton is 80,421, according to the 2020 Census. The 2021 estimate is 78,252, a slight decrease in the population. The Pleasanton average income is $68,382. Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, and John Madden, the famous football coach and sportscaster, come from Pleasanton.
The racial and ethnic composition of Pleasanton is 46.2% White, 37.3% Asian, 5.59% two or more races, and 4.73% Hispanic.
Additional Pleasanton demographics:
- Population density: 3,300 people/sq mi
- Median age: 41.6
- Sex ratio: 50.6 females to 49.4 males over 18
- Median household income: $167,932
- Educational attainment: 96.6% high school grad or higher, 66.3% bachelor’s degree or higher (adults 25 and older)
- Foreign-born population: 33.9%
Pleasanton is a very safe place to live. 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. The Pleasanton Police Department serves and protects the citizens of Pleasanton with 58 sworn officers.
Pleasanton Cost of Living – Is Pleasanton, CA Expensive?
It is expensive to live in Pleasanton. The cost of living in Pleasanton is 101% higher than the national average, although the cost of goods and services is only 19% higher. The high cost of living in Pleasanton is offset by the low crime rate, excellent schools, and great employment opportunities.
The cost of groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation, and goods and services are all slightly higher than the California average. However, a large and important factor behind the high cost of living in Pleasanton is housing, which is 276% above the national average and 180% higher than the California average. Even though home prices are down 1.5% compared to last year, the Pleasanton median home price is $1.2M. Homes in Pleasanton sell after about 38 days on the market compared to 7 days last year. If you’re interested in buying, you’ll find a variety of Pleasanton, CA homes for sale.
Typical Pleasanton Living Expenses
- Gallon of milk: $2.78
- Loaf of white bread: $3.91
- 1 dozen eggs: $3.01
- 1 pound of ground beef: $4.24
- Monthly transportation pass: $55.20
- Average utilities in Pleasanton per month: $99.50
- Monthly internet: $52.50
Source: Numbeo
The average rent in Pleasanton is $2,937 a month, and the average apartment size is 905 square feet, according to RentCafe.
Best Neighborhoods in Pleasanton
Those living in Pleasanton have many beautiful, safe neighborhoods to choose from. Here are some of the best Pleasanton neighborhoods to explore.
Del Prado | Best Pleasanton Neighborhood For Families
Del Prado features tree-lined streets, an excellent location near the freeway, and easy access to shops, restaurants, and everything else you need. Del Prado has easy access to miles of trails, and nearby Hansen Park has 6.2 acres with barbeque pits, basketball hoops, picnic tables, a kids’ play area, and a sports field. Homes in Del Prado range from $900,000 to $1.2M.
Ruby Hills | Luxury Neighborhood in Pleasanton
Ruby Hills is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Pleasanton, with magnificent, custom-built luxury estates and large lots, with all the amenities you want. Ruby Hills is a gated community in southeast Pleasanton, established in the mid-1990s. The championship golf course located within Ruby Hills was designed by Jack Nicklaus. The neighborhood also features a private park, clubhouse, swimming pool, and tennis courts. Home prices here range from $1.5M to over $4M.
Downtown | Best City Living
Downtown Pleasanton is an eclectic collection of unique homes situated in the heart of the city. Downtown has everything from small two-bedroom bungalows to luxury homes. Some of the older homes downtown were built in the late 1800s. The price for a home downtown can range from $900,000 to over $2M.
Pleasanton Weather & Climate
You’ll find a pleasant Mediterranean climate in the city that consists of hot, dry summers and short, mild to cool winters with occasional rainfall. The average temperature in Pleasanton varies from 40°F to 86°F. Pleasanton gets about 19 inches of rain per year and no snow. January is the coldest month, with an average high of 59°F and an average low of 43°F. The warmest month is August, where average highs are 87°F, and average lows are 59°F. The best time of year to visit Pleasanton is from late June to late September.
Things to do in Pleasanton
There are plenty of fun and exciting activities in Pleasanton for everyone. In addition to these activities, you’ll enjoy some convenient shopping at Stoneridge Shopping Center, featuring Macy’s, JC Penney, and many other shops.
Pleasanton Farmers’ Market
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The Pleasanton Farmers’ Market is located in downtown Pleasanton and takes place every Saturday year-round. They sell a wide variety of locally-grown farm produce and other goodies.
Pleasanton Farmers’ Market, 46 W Angela St, Pleasanton, CA 94566, (925) 825-9090
Ruby Hill Winery
Established in 1887, the Ruby Hill Winery is family-owned and operated and produces a range of wines for every taste. They offer wine tasting with a friendly and knowledgeable staff to guide you through the experience. You can also purchase gourmet deli items, wine accessories, or apparel at the winery.
Ruby Hill Winery, 400 Vineyard Ave, Pleasanton, CA 94566, (925) 931-9463
Museum on Main
The Museum on Main (MoMS) is located in historic downtown Pleasanton. Here you can learn about the history of the Tri-Valley region from Native American habitation all the way up to the present.
Museum on Main, 603 Main St, Pleasanton, CA 94566, (925) 462-2766
Additional Attractions in Pleasanton
Still looking for things to do in Pleasanton? The city has 46 community and neighborhood parks, more than 60 miles of trails, and over 700 acres of undeveloped open space to explore. You can also check the City of Pleasanton Arts and Events calendar to find upcoming events in the area!
Pleasanton Restaurants
You’ll find some great places to eat in Pleasanton! Here are some of the top-rated restaurants in Pleasanton:
Hap’s Original Steak and Seafood
Hap’s is located in downtown Pleasanton and features New York-style steak and seafood in a Victorian setting. They use only certified Angus Prime Beef, fresh, seasonal seafood, and top-quality lamb and chicken from local Bay Area ranchers.
Hap’s Original Steak and Seafood, 122 W Neal St, Pleasanton, CA 94566, (925) 600-9200
Gay Nineties Pizza
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Gay nineties pizza is located in a historic building built in 1864. They make the finest-tasting pizzas from scratch, including their famous sourdough specialty pizzas. They’ve won Best Pizza from the Tri-Valley Herald every year since 1997 and are a National Restaurant Association award winner!
Gay Nineties Pizza, 288 Main St, Pleasanton, CA 94566, (925) 846-2520
Dela Torre’s Trattoria
De La Torre’s is an award-winning Italian trattoria that opened its doors in 1992. They offer traditional trattoria classics, and their special menu changes daily to accommodate fresh, locally grown produce and naturally raised meats.
Dela Torre’s Trattoria, 6025 W Las Positas Blvd, Pleasanton, CA 94588, (925) 484-3878
Jobs in Pleasanton
The average salary in Pleasanton is $104,000 a year, according to Payscale. The largest industries in Pleasanton are professional, scientific, & technical services, manufacturing, and health care & social assistance.
Major employers in Pleasanton include:
If you’re ready to explore your career opportunities in Pleasanton, check out Pleasanton jobs on Indeed or the city of Pleasanton jobs.
Schools in Pleasanton, CA
Pleasanton has highly-rated schools that are part of the Pleasanton Unified School District. Both high schools in Pleasanton, Amador Valley and Foothill, are ranked by Niche among the top 200 public high schools in the nation. There are three middle schools, nine elementary schools, one preschool, and an adult education program in Pleasanton.
The nearest college to Pleasanton is Las Positas College in Livermore, about 5 miles away. The top-rated college in the area is Stanford University in Stanford, the number 3 ranked school in the nation by CollegeSimply. The University of California Berkeley is the largest college in the area. Students can also take advantage of the free Pleasanton Library.
Pleasanton Statistics & Information
- County: Alameda
- Pleasanton Area: 24.27 square miles
- Pleasanton zip code: 94566, 94568, 94588
- Pleasanton Area code: 925
- Pleasanton Elevation: 351 feet
- Pleasanton Time zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- Closest airport to Pleasanton: Oakland (OAK) Airport, 18.9 miles away
Pleasanton, CA Map
Explore the area and other fun attractions and restaurants with this map of Pleasanton.
If moving to Pleasanton sounds right to you, give AMS Relocation a call at 650-284-2931 or fill out our online form for a free moving estimate today! Our award-winning, experienced team will ensure your move is smooth and stress-free.
