Pleasanton

The peak of luxury in Pleasanton, Ruby Hill’s magnificent homes surround a country club and championship golf course designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, all within the heart of the Livermore Valley wine region. “The whole community is surrounded by oak-studded hills and vineyards. These are all luxury homes,” says Doug Buenz, a real estate broker with the 680 Doug Buenz Group. “The neighborhood is for the luxury buyer who wants to live on a golf course.” This gated community is managed by the Ruby Hills Homeowners Association, which actively works to keep the area’s mature greenery and sidewalk-lined streets manicured. Ruby Hill was developed in the 1990s with the construction of large custom-built and tract homes designed in French Country, Minimal Traditional, Spanish and Mediterranean architectural styles. Real estate agents often highlight the size of the homes, which range in size from 2,000 to 10,000 square feet. Buenz says home prices here usually start at about $1.8 million and can go up to about $5 million. That said, select properties are valued at even higher prices, some around $11 million. Ruby Hill students are served by the well-regarded Pleasanton Unified School District, and each school on their pathway has an A-plus on Niche. The first stop on this academic journey is Vintage Hills Elementary. From there, students can attend Pleasanton Middle before graduating from Amador Valley High. Parents at Amador Valley High and other district schools often volunteer their time to support students, teachers and others in the school community, Buenz says. In addition to its stellar reputation for student outcomes, this high school also emphasizes civic engagement and virtue, as students won the 2022 national title for We The People, an academic competition aimed at improving understanding of democratic republic principles through simulated congressional hearings. The community’s setting in the far eastern reaches of the East Bay region provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Ruby Hill’s signature 18-hole golf course spans the neighborhood’s gently rolling hills, so players can expect to come across elevation changes, scenic vistas and gorgeous water features. Anyone looking to connect with nature without worrying about errant golf balls or getting in the way of a game can hike at their leisure around Shadow Cliffs Lake. A 266-acre regional park surrounds much of the lake, which was previously a gravel quarry before the park opened in 1971. Aside from the trails, visitors come here to swim and sunbathe at the beach along part of the shoreline. Anglers also frequent the park to hook bluegill and black bass from small fishing boats. The Livermore Valley might not be a household name like Napa or Sonoma, but winemakers have been planting grapes and bottling whites and reds here for more than 150 years. Visitors come from all over to visit the area, which has over 50 wineries, including Ruby Hill Winery, located less than a mile beyond the neighborhood’s gates. While it’s a 35-mile drive or more to reach San Francisco, Oakland or San Jose from Ruby Hill, residents are a short drive from restaurants, boutique stores and convenient chains in Downtown Pleasanton and Livermore. Each town has its own vibrant character, though Livermore is the livelier of the two, with more theaters and nightlife spots. Ruby Hill residents often find themselves going to both places often to enjoy street fairs, summertime concerts, weekend farmers markets and other community events. Though folks ride golf carts within the gates, Ruby Hill is a car-dependent community. The nearest major highway, Interstate 680, is less than 10 miles due west, which is about a 15-minute drive. The nearest hospital, Washington Hospital Healthcare System, is 15 miles away from the heart of the neighborhood.

Among the bustling shopping plazas located in north Pleasanton sits Stoneridge, a community where just about every retail need can be met, from lattes to BMWs. “The shopping is definitely a big draw to the area,” says Ed Jue, a broker associate with RE/MAX Accord and a Bay Area native. “But the subdivisions have a very traditional suburban feel to them.” Dotted among the shopping centers sit neighborhoods full of single-family homes sitting on wide, winding streets, where it’s not uncommon to see residents out for walks. “It’s a great community,” Jue says. Most homes in the area are Mediterranean influenced, with stucco facades and barrel tile roofs. Ranch-style houses are most common, though it’s also possible to find split-level homes, bungalows and custom contemporary houses. They sit snugly on narrow lots, and while front lawns can be small, residents landscape them with green grass and verdant plant life. An array of tall trees are scatted along the horizon, providing more greenery, and sidewalks are plentiful throughout the subdivisions, giving residents space to take afternoon walks. Prices range from $1 million for 1,400 square feet to $2 million for 2,500 square feet. Condos and townhouses are also available, most located in the community’s center, ranging from $600,000 for 900 square feet to $1.2 million for 1,900 square feet. Stoneridge’s youngest residents may start school at Fairlands Elementary, one of several elementary schools that serve the area. They often move on to Hart Middle School and Amador Valley High School. All three schools are encompassed by the Pleasanton Unified School District and are all highly rated on Niche; Fairlands Elementary and Hart Middle have A ratings and Amador High has an A-plus. Amador High serves about 2,700 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 25-to-1. In 2022, the Competition Civics team won the national title in the Center for Civic Education’s “We the People” competition, demonstrating an impressive degree of civic virtue, public speaking ability and comprehension of democratic legislative processes. Families can also choose to send their kids to private schools as there are multiple faith-based and preparatory academies in the area. Along Southridge’s west end, residents get active at Val Vista Park, a 15-acre green space with playgrounds and a community garden. The trails of Fairlands Park snake between homes, tying different parts of the community to tennis courts, playgrounds, a neighborhood pool and other neighborhood streets. About a mile or two east of the downtown Pleasanton, the 266-acre Shadow Cliffs recreational area surrounds a placid lake and features swimming and fishing. Local anglers are a common sight as they fish for bluegill and black bass. Golf enthusiasts tee off at the nearby Las Positas Golf Course, a public 18-hole course that also offers a driving range. Shopping centers and large national retailers within the community offering everything residents need to complete their weekend errands: groceries at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and 99 Ranch Market and home essentials at Walmart and Target. The San Francisco Premium Outlet Mall is just across from El Charro Road and offer bargains from Kipling, Puma and Abercrombie & Fitch. Restaurants are plentiful throughout the area, especially concentrated along Hopyard Road where residents dine at familiar favorites like Chili’s, Denny’s and Chick-fil-A and also locally-owned spots like Ume Sushi, which is popular for its creative sushi rolls and bento boxes. Jue says a common misconception about the area that all this shopping and dining makes the neighborhood noisy and congested, but it’s not as bad as people might think. “It can get busy during the holidays, though,” he says. Bordered by Interstate 680 to the west and Interstate 580 to the north, residents have easy access to the rest of the Bay Area. I-580 connects to I-880 to Oakland, about 30 miles northwest. To get to nearby Livermore, they skip the highways and travel about six miles east on Stanley Boulevard. Another way to skip the highways is to take the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train at the Dublin/Pleasanton station located off Owens Drive.

To enter Downtown Pleasanton, many pass through its overhead welcome sign, which opens up to shops, restaurants and offices, where residents of this quiet suburban area have lived, worked and gathered for more than a century. “It’s a historic railroad town with a lot of charm,” says Doug Buenz, a local real estate expert with the 680 Doug Buenz Group. This East Bay area’s nostalgic town center and vibrant community live up to the city’s cheerful name. “The key to any good downtown is its walkability.” With sidewalks framing every block, Downtown Pleasanton locals can easily take a stroll or bike ride along the tree-lined streets to enjoy a dinner out or spend an afternoon lounging at the park, minutes away from home. Many of Downtown Pleasanton’s businesses have lived multiple lives. Its quaint Main Street hangs onto remnants of its past in its repurposed historic structures, including old banks, general stores and stagecoach saloons. Shopping and dining are a part of daily life here, with a wide selection of cafes, restaurants, bars and boutiques so close to every doorstep. Hap’s Original is a long-standing neighborhood favorite, blending classic New York-style steak and seafood dining with California flair. For a more casual night out, locals gather at Gay Nineties Pizza Company, a popular spot operating from an 1864 building. Safeway is the closest stop for grocery pickups, located in the Pleasanton Gateway Shopping Center, which also lodges banks, pharmacies, workout centers and chain restaurants. Downtown Pleasanton architecture runs the gamut from charming historical styles to turnkey new builds. Queen Annes, farmhouses, midcentury California-style bungalows and ranch homes line the streets branching off the main corridor, mixed with a wide selection of newer homes built to fit in with the community’s established character. Home prices start at around $700,000, which buys a fixer-upper or a modest condo. The average property falls closer to $1 million, climbing quickly with recent upgrades. According to Buenz, sales have swelled up to $3 million, particularly around the coveted 2nd Street enclave, where most of the community’s classic Victorians are located. Downtown Pleasanton’s active business association holds events year-round, including the popular summertime concert series at Wayside Park, when local bands play for big audiences between 2nd and Main streets. Residents here also look forward to seasonal gatherings like the Saturday morning farmers’ market, annual holiday parades and the Alameda County Fair. The fairgrounds also host trade shows and community events throughout the year, a plus for those who like to keep a busy calendar. Most Downtown Pleasanton locals live within walking distance of a small natural pocket. Youth sports are a pillar of this active community, with several park venues nearby, often filled with uniformed kids. Bernal Community Park is close to downtown and among the most popular, home to a large complex complete with multi-use fields, scenic trails and playgrounds. The Pleasanton Golf Center sits beside the fairgrounds, busiest on Fridays and Saturdays when guests visit to practice their swing on the palm tree-dotted fairways. Downtown Pleasanton is zoned for the top-rated Pleasanton Unified School district. Many kids start at Valley View Elementary and continue to Pleasanton Middle before earning their diplomas at Amador Valley High. Each neighborhood school carries a prestigious A rating or higher on Niche and is within a five-minute drive from home. Families hold Amador Valley High School, a three-time National Blue Ribbon winner, in high regard. These hardworking students have exemplified civic engagement and virtue over the years, winning the 2022 national title for the We The People academic competition and attending the 2008 Group of Eight Summit of World Leaders as part of a UNICEF-sponsored competition. The Regus-Pleasanton-Bernal Corporate Park is less than 2 miles from town, one of the area’s most prominent employment centers. While Pleasanton is at least 25 miles from San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco, Interstates 680 and 580 are minutes away, making commutes to the larger cities relatively straightforward. City buses also make stops at the main intersections for those who prefer a car-free ride around town. The Ace Rail train station is on Pleasanton Avenue, shuttling locals as far as San Jose to the south and Stockton to the north.

Valley Trails is a suburban community in Pleasanton that’s brimming with local parks, walkable streets and convenient shopping destinations. It’s also home to some of the highest rated schools in the Bay Area, making it a popular community for parents with young children. “Valley Trails is right outside Pleasanton’s historic downtown. People spend a lot of time there. It’s very busy on the weekend with the Pleasanton farmer’s market,” says Shawn Ferrell, a broker with Elation Real Estate who has worked in the city for more than a decade. The area consists of several residential communities, including Valley Trails, its namesake subdivision. Homebuyers will find winding streets lined with spacious, well-maintained homes built in the 1970s, 80s and 90s alongside some newer construction. Leafy streetscapes and manicured front lawns are a common sight throughout the neighborhood. Quiet cul-de-sacs offer a sense of privacy while some homes feature views of the wooded Oakland hills. Home prices typically range from around $1.5 million to $2.5 million depending on the size, acreage and age of the home. For those seeking something smaller, there are also some town homes available that list for between $700,000 and $1 million. Students in this area can attend some of the best schools in California. “Schools are one of the main reasons people move to Pleasanton,” Ferrell says. Students in the neighborhood can attend A-rated Donlon Elementary School, A-rated Thomas Hart Middle School and A-plus-rated Foothill High School. Highly sought after, Foothill High School is a four-time winner of the California Distinguished Schools Award and one-time winner of the National Blue Ribbon Award. Some students may also attend A-plus-rated Amador Valley High School, also a four-time winner of the California Distinguished Schools Award and a three-time winner of the National Blue Ribbon Award. Parks and greenways are woven into the fabric of Valley Trails subdivisions. Valley Trails Park offers interconnecting walkways, playgrounds and benches that are accessible from residential streets. Pleasanton Tennis and Community Park offers a dozen tennis courts, basketball hoops and playgrounds surrounded by tall trees and grassy open space. Nearby Bernal Community Park features pet-friendly walking trails that crisscross rolling pastures dotted with brush and trees. Valley Trails is also home to the Alameda County Fairgrounds where the annual Alameda County Fair takes place once a year in June and July. For nearly a month, the fairgrounds come alive with flashing lights, funnel cake stands, Ferris wheels, roller coasters and games. It also features horse racing at the oldest one-mile horse track in the United States, built in 1858. The Pleasanton Gateway Shopping Center is a local shopping hub at the center of the neighborhood that offers plenty of dining options. Mexico Lindo Cantina & Restaurant is a local favorite for authentic Mexican cuisine, colorful décor and a lively atmosphere. Plucked Chicken & Beer is well-known for its rich rotisserie chicken, fresh sides and “The Sticky Chicken,” a chicken sandwich smothered in a sweet and savory glaze. Mediterranean flavors can be found at Sultan’s Kebab, a local spot with everything from freshly cut shawarma to falafel and other vegetarian options. The shopping plaza also features a Safeway grocery store and a CVS pharmacy where residents can pick up groceries and everyday necessities. Pleasanton’s vibrant downtown district is about two miles south of Valley Trails. It’s a walkable business strip with plenty of boutique shops, local eateries and seasonal, weekly farmer’s market. Residents have easy access to Interstate 680, a major transportation corridor that borders the western edge of the neighborhood. There’s an ACE train station nearby, a reliable and efficient commuting option for residents and visitors who travel to places like San Jose and Stockton. There’s also a BART train station about 3 miles north of the neighborhood that takes passengers to Oakland and San Francisco. “From a commuter standpoint, it’s a great location,” Ferrell says. The neighborhood and surrounding area are at an increased risk for wildfires. The threat of wildfires has been a growing concern throughout California. Parts of the East Bay experience dry summers, low humidity and high winds, making those areas more susceptible to dangerous wildfires.