Welcome to Pleasant Hill
A beautiful and bucolic Oakland suburb.
This small suburban city in San Francisco’s Bay Area is a great place for families and anyone who loves being outdoors. With its green rolling hills, Pleasant Hill, as its name implies, is a peaceful and bucolic setting with plenty of beautiful parks and trails to enjoy.
Originally used as agricultural land, the area that eventually became Pleasant Hill was developed in the 1920s and incorporated in 1961. The town maintained a small-town atmosphere with no real, established downtown until 2000 when a major shopping center was added to create Downtown Pleasant Hill.
Today, Pleasant Hill is a thriving Oakland suburb with plentiful restaurants and shops. Spacious and elegant homes are available near the downtown area, many with fantastic luxury amenities; overall, home prices tend to skew lower in Pleasant Valley compared to other Bay Area and Silicon Valley suburbs.
What to Love
- Plentiful parks and outdoor trails
- Thriving downtown
- Small-town community feel
People & Lifestyle
Pleasant Hill is as calm and peaceful as its name implies, with beautiful scenery, rolling hills, and lush green parks. Even so, it’s never too quiet or boring; there are plenty of fun festivals and community events, which is a great way to meet your neighbors and make new friends!
Young professionals raising families love living in Pleasant Hill due to its outstanding quality of life, excellent public school system, and proximity to tech hubs like Oakland and San Francisco. There are also plenty of camps and activities to keep children occupied while having a great time.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
In recent decades, Pleasant Hill has developed into a fun place to enjoy an incredible meal or spend a fun day shopping. From a major shopping center to a wide variety of restaurants, there’s always something to do in Pleasant Hill.
The town is known for the
Downtown Pleasant Hill shopping center, home to many of your favorite retail destinations. Enjoy a movie at Cinemark, take a class at Club Pilates, or shop at classics like Michaels or Ulta. Downtown Pleasant Hill is a great place to get a quick meal, whether you’re craving Chipotle or Five Guys.Enjoy a delicious meal and time with family or friends at
Jack’s Restaurant & Bar, a lively, family-run grill that serves up American fare.
Slow Hand BBQ is another great place to grab dinner; enjoy smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork, or tri-tip and pair it with a cold glass of beer. Locals also love ordering from
Nama, a delightful sushi spot downtown, or picking up goods from
Escape from Fisherman’s Wharf, a deli with excellent seafood offerings.
Things to Do
No matter what time of year it is, there’s always something exciting happening in Pleasant Hill! Make new friends, socialize, and enjoy food and music at some of Pleasant Hill’s best events.
During the summer, take in a fantastic musical performance at Pleasant Hill’s
Sunset by the Lake summer concert series. The community also comes together for the
Art, Wine & Music Festival, a celebration of all things artistic with arts and crafts, performances, exhibits, and food vendors. Looking for a great catering opportunity for your next event? Check out local Pleasant Hill business
Off the Grid, a unique food truck provider that works with hundreds of food and beverage partners to create a fantastic catering experience. The town also has a fantastic variety of parks to explore, including
Birchview Park (great for kids) and
Mission Oaks Park (perfect for picnicking—and bringing the dog).
Schools
Pleasant Hill is zoned in the Mount Diablo Unified School District and is home to several excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:
- College Park High School
- Diablo Valley College
