The San Francisco Bay Area is filled with picturesque suburbs offering a balance of access to city living and family-friendly peace and quiet, such as the Bay Area enclave of Pleasanton. Pleasanton certainly lives up to its name as a great place to raise kids. The area has good schools and, of course, the balmy climate of Northern California. It’s not too out of reach for those living in San Francisco or other parts of the Bay Area, since it’s an hour away by car from the airport in Oakland and about an hour and a half from the San Francisco airport (at rush hour — travel times are much shorter outside of peak hours). If you don’t have a car, you can also take the BART train from San Francisco to the Dublin/Pleasanton station on the north edge of town. If you’re coming from Fremont (the “least-stressed city in America”) or San Jose, take the ACE train to the Pleasanton station near the town center.
Once you arrive in Pleasanton, take a deep breath and slow down your walking speed as you enjoy a calming escape in this tree-lined suburban haven packed with boutiques, cafes, and small-town charm. Parks like Mission Hills Park and Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area are great places to start before hitting more social activities.
Enrich yourself with local arts and crafts in downtown Pleasanton
If you’re looking to take in — and possibly take home — some eye-catching artwork, stop at Studio Seven Arts in downtown Pleasanton. It’s the largest art and custom framing gallery in the Bay Area and offers original artwork ranging from paintings and prints to glass and sculpture pieces. You can even paint your own pottery and canvases at Créatif Art Studio just south of downtown Pleasanton. Whether you’re looking to make a new ceramic centerpiece for your dining table or entertain your kids by having them paint rocks, you’ll leave here with your creative itch scratched and your whole family pleased. You can stop by as a walk-in or take part in a scheduled class or workshop. A stop at the historic Meadowlark Dairy for some ice cream is the cherry on top of a great summer afternoon in Pleasanton.
In late October, residents and visitors can attend the annual Harvest Festival at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Arts and crafts of all kinds are available for purchase, including photo prints, jewelry, wood and metal art, and blown-glass pieces, and there’s a food court as well…