Sandwiched Between San Francisco And Fremont Is A Thriving California Suburb With Parks And A Vibrant Art Scene

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. 

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.

Prefer to do some clothes and knick-knack shopping instead? The buzzing stretch of Main Street in the Pleasanton town center has you covered with boutiques and other shops to go on a vintage treasure hunt for one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Go to stores like PRIMM Boutique and Girlfriends Boutique for your apparel needs; even Fido can get a new look at Murphy's Paw pet supply. If you have kids, take them to Five Little Monkeys toy store to get any kind of colorful trinket their hearts desire.

There's fun for the whole family in Pleasanton regardless of what time of year you come. One of the biggest events in town is the Alameda County Fair, drawing nearly half a million visitors every year at the height of summer. If you visit, you can enjoy classic American fairground food, visit the petting zoo, see events like pig races, watch movies, and ride coasters, thrill rides, and more. But the Alameda County Fairgrounds and the city of Pleasanton see a wide range of events even if you aren't celebrating during California festival season — the site hosts mud runs, model train shows, a Hawaiian festival, and more.

The Fairgrounds are a great place to find some unique clothing pieces. In the summer, check out Thrift Fest to find secondhand shirts, pants, accessories, and more from more than 125 vendors. In May and October, you can pick up more vintage clothes at the Alameda Vintage Fashion Faire. To spruce up your home decor, visit The Great Junk Hunt. And if you need a new throw blanket or something to keep you warm when it starts to cool down in the fall and winter, visit the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival in September. 

For a bit of culture, head to Pleasanton over Labor Day weekend to check out the Scottish Highland Gathering & Games, which has entertained locals with bagpipes, animals, and dancing for the whole family to enjoy since 1866. In October, the area sees the annual Diwali celebration. And if you want to choose from a variety of Asian cuisines for a spicy or sweet bite, check out the 626 Night Market in May and July.