[kevN_wk]

Hey. i might be going to pleasanton this summer. cant wait. whats it like???????? does anyone have any photos? thanx.

[stepper77]

I live in Dublin (on the other side of 580 freeway from Pleasanton) and have taken some pictures. I've actually been meaning to post them for a while, just haven't gotten around to it. They are at home, but, I will try and post some for you.

As far as what it is like, it's pretty much just a typical suburb/bedroom community. There are a lot of campus style office parks, lots of parks, trees, trails, etc. The old downtown area has a main street feel with stores for shopping. Food wise, I wouldn't say Pleasanton has much going for it. At least from my experience. There are a few good restaurants in Dublin and more in downtown Livermore (15 minutes away). A lot of the development is newer and the people are typical affluent suburbanites. It's obviously less diverse than SF, or parts of Alameda County that are along the East Bay and, in my opinion, its more conservative. In fact, Dublin is doing much more progressive things such as the transit oriented development at the Dublin/Pleasanton bart station (as well as the soon to be built West Dublin bart station). The best thing about Pleasanton is that is has the Bart station which takes you straight to downtown SF or Oakland (where I work).

[rs913]

It's a suburb, but as Bay Area suburbs go, it's one of the better ones, I think. It's newer and less crowded-feeling than some of the suburbs that are actually along the Bay on either side.

Here's the local "tourism" site (http://www.trivalleycvb.com/). In addition to the main hub of activity in downtown Pleasanton, you've got Stoneridge (one of the Bay Area's better malls), vineyards in Livermore, a small lake with a beach between Pleasanton and Livermore, etc.

Warning: it's one of the hottest parts of the Bay Area in summer...gets above 90 quite a bit.

[EastBayHardCore]

I'm sorry.

[kevN_wk]

actually i think im going to LA now!:banana:

p.s. i'm used to heat, i live in southern texas

[kevN_wk]

nvm. still going to pleasanton. im flyin' into san fran! :D

[BTinSF]

^^^Bring some warm clothes including a coat. You'll need them if you go to San Francisco or Oakland/Berkeley (both easily reached on BART trains)--it can seem freezing there in summer. If you stay in Pleasanton, though, you'll feel pretty much at home (not quite as hot as south Texas, though). People from other places are usually surprised how different the weather can be travelling just a few miles here. There are high hills (some would call them mountains) between Dublin/Pleasanton and Oakland or San Francisco.

[bmfarley]

Hey. i might be going to pleasanton this summer. cant wait. whats it like???????? does anyone have any photos? thanx.I agree with stepper77 and Eastbayhardcore. If I had to move to Pleasanton... I'd be depressed.

I lived in Walnut Creek for 5 years; which by its own right can be pretty cool; but I hated it there too. The whole I680 corridor from Concord down to Pleasanton, almost 600,000 people, just sucks to live in if you want to be in a more urban setting. For one, you cannot do a single thing without having a vehicle. It's auto-centric to the 9th degree. Traffic and transportation is the main subject of discussion. BART can get you out to SF or Berkeley... and you' ll want to get out on hot summer days as the weather along the I-680 corridor seems to have more in common with Sacramento than San Francisco!!!!!! Over 100 degrees is not uncommon at all.

Watch out for grey haired folk when they are behind the wheel. In fact, there are fewer people that are 20-45 in this area than much of the Bay Area. Marin and Sonoma County are probably the only communities to have fewer.

So, I am sorry for you too if you move there.

[BTinSF]

Everyone's so negative.

Yeah, it's a suburb, a fairly affluent suburb. Lots of traffic (nothing compared to Houston, though), everybody drives everywhere because there's no local public transportation to speak of. Malls. Business parks. And it's pretty hot in summer (but less humid than east Texas).

BUT, you are about an hour to SF on the BART train (one probably leaves every 15-20 minutes), maybe 45 minutes or less to Oakland, maybe an hour to Berkeley.

I didn't take it that you're moving here but visiting. If so, just spend your time exploring the Bay Area which is easy to do by BART from Pleasanton, but, like I said, you'll need a coat because it can be 30 degrees cooler in SF than in Pleasanton (Pleasanton 98, SF 68).

[ltsmotorsport]

Actually, Pleasanton has one of the best bus systems of any suburb. The city was basically planned around it, as well as of course the huge avenues that run through it. The only traffic I've encountered there is on the freeways, with the streets being very uncongested. Obviously, the old town area is much nicer than the rest of the suburban city, but it still functions very well as a city.

[kevN_wk]

Yea, I'm only visiting. wish i could move there though. i don't like south texas. oh, and i love suburbs! but yes, i really want to visit san fran.

[EastBayHardCore]

oh, and i love suburbs!

Why didn't you just say so? We have no shortage of those here! You'll no doubt have fun exploring the countless cul-de-sacs, McMansions, strip malls, and nationwide chain restaurants of San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Clayton, Tracy, and the list goes on. BTW, I hear Elk Grove is beautiful this time of year, I wouldn't miss it if I were you.

[BTinSF]

The only traffic I've encountered there is on the freeways, with the streets being very uncongested.

I drive through there on I-580 twice a year between SF and Tucson and it seems nightmarish to me (since otherwise I hardly ever drive in the Bay Area, leaving my car in Tucson). But I can see how the local streets would be fine.

[ltsmotorsport]

Well yeah. 580 sucks no matter when or where. You should just avoid the traffic by taking 152 over to Gilroy then up 101 the rest of the way.

[kevN_wk]

i think i'll be going on the 14th. i'm really looking forward to it. i love cali.

[kevN_wk]

it's official. I'm definitely going to Cali!! On the 13th! Wooo! I'm so excited! :banana:

[kevN_wk]

I'm actually going to be staying in walnut creek. Does anyone have any photos of the east bay?

[BTinSF]

Here's a photo thread on Walnut Creek: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=127979&highlight=Walnut+Creek Use the search feature and you'll find others on Oakland and Berkeley but I don't recall any on Pleasanton.

I actually like Walnut Creek better than Pleasanton--greener and not as hot.

If you'll be staying in Walnut Creek and (doing what?) in Pleasanton, you'll either be travelling the horrid I-680 with zillions of other car-dependent suburbanites or you can take BART (but you'll have to transfer at West Oakland):

http://www.bart.gov/images/map500.gif

Given that both places are spread out, most likely you'll be driving like everyone else unless both the place you are staying and the place you are (?) in Pleasanton are fortuitously near the BART station in each town.

[Buckeye Native 001]

Meh. I got a speeding ticket in Pleasanton.

[kevN_wk]

Actually, I don't think I'll even be going to Pleasanton anymore. I'm staying in Walnut Creek. June 13 seems SO far away. Ugh!

[bmfarley]

Walnut Creek is definately the nicest of the east bay suburban communities. WC and Concord actually have some mid-rises and semi-dense downtowns. Sorta. Walnut Creek even has a Tiffany's!

If you have the choice... try to get a place that is within walking distance to both downtown Walnut Creek and the BART Station.

[BigKidD]

Walnut Creek is definately the nicest of the east bay suburban communities. WC and Concord actually have some mid-rises and semi-dense downtowns. Sorta. Walnut Creek even has a Tiffany's!

If you have the choice... try to get a place that is within walking distance to both downtown Walnut Creek and the BART Station.
I always felt WC had much more to offer than Concord. Since I grew up in WC, I'm partly biased in my observation.

[BTinSF]

I always felt WC had much more to offer than Concord. Since I grew up in WC, I'm partly biased in my observation.

Among the things it has to offer are a lot more expensive houses. Walnut Creek/Lafayette/Orinda/Moraga--that's Contra Costa's big time (as in the "Jeffersons" theme: "Movin' on up to the big time; to a deeeluxe apartment in the sky-eye-eye").

[rs913]

I've heard Orinda in particular is the top of the heap of Contra Costa's "prestige" suburbs, with Lafayette/Moraga/WC not far behind. I've also heard some parts of Danville (the Blackhawk area) are way up there too, the 90210 of the Bay Area. Have I heard correctly?

[dimondpark]

I've heard Orinda in particular is the top of the heap of Contra Costa's "prestige" suburbs, with Lafayette/Moraga/WC not far behind. I've also heard some parts of Danville (the Blackhawk area) are way up there too, the 90210 of the Bay Area. Have I heard correctly?

There are lots of wealthy East Bay suburbs, here they are in bold ranked with CAs Top 100 cities and towns by average household income, 2000 Census

12 of the Top 100 are in The East Bay-not bad.

btw, Pleasanton is 69th.

1 Atherton town, CA San Mateo, CA 331,915
2 Rolling Hills, CA Los Angeles, CA 324,001
3 Hidden Hills, CA Los Angeles, CA 298,020
4 Rancho Santa Fe, CA San Diego, CA 295,636
5 Hillsborough town, CA San Mateo, CA 283,957
6 Woodside town, CA San Mateo, CA 271,835
7 Newport Coast, CA Orange, CA 264,783
8 Portola Valley town, CA San Mateo, CA 256,932
9 Belvedere, CA Marin, CA 250,788
10 Los Altos Hills town, CA Santa Clara, CA 247,966
11 Fairbanks Ranch, CA San Diego, CA 204,981
12 Piedmont, CA Alameda, CA 203,287
13 Kentfield, CA Marin, CA 202,891
14 Blackhawk-Camino Tassajara, CA Contra Costa, CA 201,312
15 Loyola, CA Santa Clara, CA 196,589
16 Tiburon town, CA Marin, CA 191,296
17 Orinda, CA Contra Costa, CA 187,060
18 Saratoga, CA Santa Clara, CA 186,202
19 Monte Sereno, CA Santa Clara, CA 185,273
20 Emerald Lake Hills, CA San Mateo, CA 184,316
21 Alamo, CA Contra Costa, CA 183,309
22 Palos Verdes Estates, CA Los Angeles, CA 182,576
23 Montecito, CA Santa Barbara, CA 179,468
24 Coto de Caza, CA Orange, CA 179,081
25 San Marino, CA Los Angeles, CA 177,358
26 Malibu, CA Los Angeles, CA 177,086
27 Los Altos, CA Santa Clara, CA 175,359
28 Del Rio, CA Stanislaus, CA 174,308
29 La Canada Flintridge, CA Los Angeles, CA 160,963
30 Ross town, CA Marin, CA 158,980
31 Villa Park, CA Orange, CA 156,859
32 West Menlo Park, CA San Mateo, CA 155,071
33 Del Monte Forest, CA Monterey, CA 153,862
34 Lexington Hills, CA Santa Clara, CA 147,762
35 Danville town, CA Contra Costa, CA 147,707
36 Beverly Hills, CA Los Angeles, CA 145,995
37 Rolling Hills Estates, CA Los Angeles, CA 145,164
38 San Joaquin Hills, CA Orange, CA 143,015
39 Manhattan Beach, CA Los Angeles, CA 143,002
40 Calabasas, CA Los Angeles, CA 142,501
41 Sausalito, CA Marin, CA 140,281
42 Mill Valley, CA Marin, CA 139,224
43 East Oakdale, CA Stanislaus, CA 138,849
44 Los Gatos town, CA Santa Clara, CA 138,207
45 Indian Wells, CA Riverside, CA 137,984
46 Lafayette, CA Contra Costa, CA 134,826
47 Granite Bay, CA Placer, CA 134,818
48 Newport Beach, CA Orange, CA 132,618
49 Highlands-Baywood Park, CA San Mateo, CA 132,380
50 Montara, CA San Mateo, CA 131,652
51 Moraga town, CA Contra Costa, CA 131,226
52 Palo Alto, CA Santa Clara, CA 130,011
53 Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, CA Marin, CA 129,628
54 La Habra Heights, CA Los Angeles, CA 129,245
55 Menlo Park, CA San Mateo, CA 129,050
56 Black Point-Green Point, CA Marin, CA 127,936
57 Westlake Village, CA Los Angeles, CA 123,839
58 Del Mar, CA San Diego, CA 123,352
59 Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Los Angeles, CA 122,985
60 El Dorado Hills, CA El Dorado, CA 122,633
61 Kensington, CA Contra Costa, CA 122,583
62 Green Valley, CA Solano, CA 122,024
63 Cupertino, CA Santa Clara, CA 121,450
64 Agoura Hills, CA Los Angeles, CA 120,796
65 Oak Park, CA Ventura, CA 119,060
66 Laguna Beach, CA Orange, CA 118,456
67 Tustin Foothills, CA Orange, CA 118,120
68 Ladera Heights, CA Los Angeles, CA 116,692
69 Pleasanton, CA Alameda, CA 113,620
70 San Carlos, CA San Mateo, CA 112,737
71 El Granada, CA San Mateo, CA 112,708
72 Corte Madera town, CA Marin, CA 112,695
73 Foster City, CA San Mateo, CA 112,678
74 Las Flores, CA Orange, CA 111,807
75 Strawberry, CA Marin, CA 111,449
76 Rancho Mirage, CA Riverside, CA 110,951
77 Gold River, CA Sacramento, CA 110,623
78 San Ramon, CA Contra Costa, CA 110,513
79 Clayton, CA Contra Costa, CA 110,475
80 Discovery Bay, CA Contra Costa, CA 110,373
81 Rancho Murieta, CA Sacramento, CA 109,939
82 Yorba Linda, CA Orange, CA 109,263
83 Solana Beach, CA San Diego, CA 108,982
84 Moss Beach, CA San Mateo, CA 108,852
85 Jamul, CA San Diego, CA 107,704
86 Larkspur, CA Marin, CA 107,613
87 Carmel Valley Village, CA Monterey, CA 107,419
88 Hermosa Beach, CA Los Angeles, CA 105,656
89 Half Moon Bay, CA San Mateo, CA 105,603
90 Laguna Niguel, CA Orange, CA 103,964
91 Lucas Valley-Marinwood, CA Marin, CA 103,708
92 Rossmoor, CA Orange, CA 103,085
92 San Antonio Heights, CA San Bernardino, CA 103,085
94 Mission Canyon, CA Santa Barbara, CA 102,642
95 Foothill Ranch, CA Orange, CA 102,597
96 Belmont, CA San Mateo, CA 101,720
97 Morgan Hill, CA Santa Clara, CA 101,435
98 East Foothills, CA Santa Clara, CA 100,929
99 Laguna Hills, CA Orange, CA 100,791
100 Burlingame, CA San Mateo, CA 100,696