Situated at the foot of the Oakland Hills in the Amador Valley, the city of Pleasanton offers upper-end suburban living in the East Bay’s outer reaches. Although it’s a trek from San Francisco and Silicon Valley, the city has built a reputation for top-notch public schools, high-paying tech jobs and a lively and historic downtown district. That said, housing prices in this city of nearly 80,000 tend to be higher compared to nearby Bay Area suburbs. “Why do people pay so much to live here? It’s the schools. It has an outstanding school district,” says Realtor Bernard Laffer of Realty World Complete Services, a longtime Pleasanton resident.
The city wasn’t always as pleasant as its name suggests. During the California gold rush, it was known as “The Most Desperate Town in the West” because it was a favorite hideout for bandits, cattle robbers and desperados on the lam from local law enforcement. “It was one of the wildest towns on the west coast. But the cowboy mentality is long gone,” Laffer says.
Foothill-Pleasanton offers the perfect blend of suburban living with hillside views.
Enjoy Downtown Pleasanton’s walkable streets, perfect for dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, Amador Valley High excels in academics.
Tech giants in Pleasanton provide competitive salaries and career growth in the Tri-Valley.
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Steep home prices in the East Bay
The median home price in Pleasanton is $1.7 million, reflecting the sky-high housing costs of living in the Bay Area. The city offers a wide mix of home styles, from upper-end single-family homes to condos and apartments. The area surrounding downtown features older housing stock, including early 20th-century bungalows and Craftsman-style homes. Contemporary homes with large floor plans are most common elsewhere in the city. Wildfires are a reality in the East Bay, and homeowners are encouraged to clear brush and obtain fire insurance.
Uniformity homes style creates a visually appealing neighborhood in Valley Trails.
Craftsman style homes in Valley Trails are characterized by their natural materials.
You’ll find late 19th and early 20th century homes and Queen Anne Victorians in Pleasanton.
Pleasanton boasts large contemporary homes with spacious layouts and modern designs.
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Community parks, mountain hikes
Parks and open spaces are also a major draw. The city sits just east of forested ridges and protected nature preserves that extend out towards Oakland and Castro Valley. There's easy access to hiking, biking and natural scenery at Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park and Augustin Bernal Park, which occupy the steep ridges and valleys just off Interstate 680. Within the city, there are dozens of community parks and more than 60 miles of trails that wind through suburban greenery. Residents can hit the links at one of six golf courses, four of which are private clubs. The East Bay is known for its Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters, so there’s ample time for outdoor activities, especially during the spring and fall.
Residents can explore the natural beauty of Pleasanton on the Castleridge Trail.
Pleasanton Golf Center offers scenic fairways perfect for golfers of all skill levels.
Dog walkers love Bernal Community Park’s open spaces and pet-friendly trails in Pleasanton.
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park overlooks Pleasanton and the Livermore Valley from the west.
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Top-rated Bay Area schools
The Pleasanton Unified School District offers some of the best schools in the Bay Area. The district earns an A-plus rating from Niche, and many of its schools have been recognized with California Distinguished Schools and National Blue Ribbon awards. Those seeking an alternative to public schools can consider the Stratford School’s Pleasanton branch, an A-plus rated private elementary school.
A hub for white-collar and tech jobs
Pleasanton was just a blip on the map until around the 1980s, when several large business parks were constructed in the city. Since then, it’s become a major regional office hub that’s home to the corporate headquarters for Safeway, Workday and Simpson Manufacturing, and has offices for tech companies like Oracle and Cisco.
Oracle’s Pleasanton headquarters anchors innovation in the heart of the Tri-Valley tech hub.
Pleasanton’s Workday headquarters drives global innovation with local Tri-Valley charm.
Safeway’s Pleasanton headquarters anchors a legacy of grocery innovation in the Tri-Valley.
Cisco’s Pleasanton location blends technology leadership with a prime Bay Area setting.
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Getting around Pleasanton and beyond
Pleasanton’s East Bay locale puts it around 30 miles from Oakland, 35 miles from Silicon Valley and 40 miles from San Francisco. There are several highways that skirt the edges of Pleasanton: Interstates 580 and 680 and State Route 84. The city offers a door-to-door bus system for senior residents, while regular bus lines are operated by Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority. Pleasanton has an Amtrak Station, a BART station and an ACE rail stop, offering rail service throughout the Bay Area and up and down the California coast.
A walkable, historic downtown district
A walk down Main Street in downtown Pleasanton delights with bustling restaurants and locally-owned shops. The district’s historic buildings date back to the city’s earliest days with picturesque examples of Italianate, Colonial Revival and Queen Anne style architecture. Downtown is easy on the eyes, and even easier on the palate: upscale dining, street food, cozy coffee shops and a Michelin reviewed restaurant are just a sampling of the city’s culinary offerings. Community events are a frequent occurrence, with everything from a weekly farmer’s market to the occasional block party and bar crawl. Outside Main Street, local shopping plazas feature a range of big box stores, chain restaurants and major grocery chains.
Pleasanton is home to the Alameda County Fairgrounds, and has hosted the Alameda County Fair since 1912. It’s also the site of the oldest one-mile horseracing track in the United States, where races have been taking place since 1858. The county fair takes place every year in June and July. Locals and visitors from all over the region flock to the fairgrounds flashing lights, carnival rides, games, livestock races and food vendors. It’s topped off with an elaborate fireworks and drone show to celebrate the 4th of July.
Shop fresh and local at Downtown Pleasanton’s vibrant Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning.
Primm Boutique located in Downtown Pleasanton is a woman owned and operated cozy boutique.
You can relax and have fun at the same time at the Alameda County Fair.
Experience heart-stopping tricks at the BMX Bike Fest in Downtown Pleasanton.
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Low crime rates
Pleasanton has very low violent crime and property crime rates, according to FBI stats. In December 2023, for instance, the city’s violent crime rate was 44 per every 100,000 residents, putting it about 79% lower than the statewide average and 95% lower than the national average. The city’s police department launched a new program in 2022 aimed at limiting interactions between uniformed police officers and residents experiencing acute mental health issues. The program sends licensed mental health workers alongside non-uniformed officers to help those experiencing a mental health crisis.
On average, homes in Pleasanton, CA sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Pleasanton, CA over the last 12 months is $1,701,016, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Mike Ramos, Founding Partner of Momentum Realty, is a 16-year real estate industry veteran and has represented hundreds of clients in a wide array of real estate transactions.
Mike is a Bay Area native with strong ties to the community through his work with local non-profit organizations serving minorities, refugees and trafficking victims and the underprivileged. He enjoys helping families achieve wealth through home ownership. His true passion is being able to lead a client that is buying their first home to financial freedom with a portfolio of investments.
Leveraging his degree in Business Administration and over 1000 hours of continuing education, Mike assembled a talented team of Realtors and exceptional support staff. Since its inception in 2016, Momentum Realty has helped over 800 families with their real estate needs, earning them a ranking in the top 100 teams in the nation for the past 7 consecutive years.
With his business expanding in 3 states, Mike enjoys a bi-coastal lifestyle with frequent trips across the country with his family in tow. A true food aficionado, he takes great pleasure in trying new restaurants and cuisines and always has a recommendation for those who ask. On the rare occasion that you can find Mike relaxing, it’s likely on a boat in Miami, by the pool at his home in Hawaii or catching up with friends over drinks at Santana Row.
The knowledge and reputation of a veteran Realtor are key differentiators when buying or selling real estate. Mike’s track record of success is an attestation to his uncompromising integrity, expert negotiations and ability to keep deals on track. Whether you are looking to buy your first home or sell your tenth home, Mike’s commitment to his clients never changes.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
