NorCal's Wine Country Gateway Is An Underrated City With A Lively Downtown And Verdant Parks

Bay Area residents have easy access to Northern California's Wine Country. Who wouldn't want to spend their weekends discovering the region's best-kept secrets like the mountain town of Kelseyville or visiting the award-winning Frank Family Vineyards? If San Francisco is already close to Napa Valley's wineries, then East Bay's Pleasant Hill is even closer. This Contra Costa city is as friendly and scenic as they come. Considered the gateway to Wine Country, Pleasant Hill is within a short distance from many NorCal attractions. While you can use this city as your base, exploring it is just as fun thanks to the abundance of green spaces and a cool downtown scene. Whether staying for the weekend or just passing by, the self-proclaimed "Bay Area's backyard" provides a wide range of entertainment.

Pleasant Hill is one of the youngest cities in the Bay Area, having been incorporated only in 1961. While other places in the region boast a historic downtown, this destination prides itself in its modern city center — first ideated in 1991 and officially constructed in 1998. As you'd expect, this is where all the fun people hang out, be it for coffee meetups, catching a flick, shopping for clothes, or having a nice meal together. On sunny days, you'll notice most people jogging or having a picnic in the city parks or tackling the hiking trails in the surrounding mountains.

Pleasant Hill is only 30 minutes away from San Francisco. Walnut Creek, famous for its world-renowned shopping, is right across from the city, separated by just a highway. Napa and Sonoma are about 45 minutes away. When you feel like staying for a night here before heading to Wine Country, you have lots of hotels to choose from — including Sonesta Select, Hyatt House, and Homewood Suites by Hilton, to name a few.

Shopping, dining, and entertainment are all found in the heart of Pleasant Hill. Head to the downtown area to start your day with a breakfast from Crumbs Breakfast, Lunch, and Bar. As one Tripadvisor reviewer describes it: "Crumbs was terrific. The staff were super pleasant and helpful. Outdoor seating was lovely. And the food was delicious. Huge portions — easily sharable. Reasonably priced."

Across the street, Plaza Cafe serves up tasty breakfast items. The cafe's omelets come highly recommended, with one Tripadvisor reviewer describing the meal, "I had an omelet with sausage, spinach, cheese, and tomatoes. It was delicious, served with a generous portion of crispy shredded hash browns." They end the review with, "We think Plaza Cafe is a Pleasant Hill treasure and will undoubtedly be returning often." When it comes to sweet cravings, Batter 'N Icing is the place to be. From cupcakes and cookies to blondie bars and dog-safe cakes, both you and your pup can treat yourselves. Yelp reviews only rave about this place, specifically how the staff handles custom orders. One reviewer specifically mentioned the quality of the gluten-free options, stating: "What really makes it a family favorite though is their gluten free option, which is not a sad substitute pretending to be dessert. It is actually delicious. Like "did you check the label to be sure this is gluten free?" delicious."

Downtown shopping involves hitting up Ulta Beauty, Carter's, and America's Best Contacts and Eyeglasses to stock up on essentials. You can also take advantage of the services available in the area, such as K-Lux Nails, Spavia Day Spa, Club Pilates, and Salon Avalon. You'll also find a lot of people lining up to watch the latest action-packed film at Cinemark Century Downtown Pleasant Hill 16 and XD.

It's easy to revolve an entire itinerary around downtown Pleasant Hill, but the city parks deserve attention, too. Paso Nogal Park is a 63-acre spot where you can run around with your pup, meander the trails, and have a picnic with friends. There's a 2.5-acre fenced zone for your four-legged friend to exercise off-leash. Then, take a walk along the 1.3-mile Figure Eight Loop, which gradually climbs the hill and exposes expansive views of East Bay and its lush landscapes — watch out for ground squirrels leaping around.

The 7-acre Las Juntas Open Space is a great place to go for a walk — you'll be rewarded with views of Mount Diablo and the San Ramon Valley. The Contra Costa Canal Trail traverses through the park, allowing you to hike a 1.4-mile out-and-back portion of it. If you do end up hiking or biking the entirety of the trail, the 13.6-mile point-to-point route will take you to Walnut Creek, Concord, and Martinez. Families looking to savor the fresh air can visit the 6.3-acre Brookwood Park. As the adults set up the picnic, children can have fun at the playground and hit the basketball court.

Another favorite picnic spot is the 16.5-acre Pleasant Hill Park. Equipped with tables, grills, a basketball court, and softball diamond, this is the perfect location for a family outing. While people are preparing the food, you can make a short loop around the grassy park. Pleasant Hill is home to several other parks with picnic amenities worth checking out, including the 11-acre Pleasant Oaks Park, 4.5-acre Rodgers-Smith Park, and 2.5-acre Shannon Hills Park. Afterwards, since Martinez is close by, head to the hidden town to discover its antiques, brews, and historic charm.