Then the pleasant little town of Pleasant Hill in the Bay Area is for you. It is one of the most affordable cities in the region and has – get this – free overnight parking. Known as one of the safest small cities in the region, Pleasant Hill is convenient to BART, Amtrak and the nearby John Muir National Historic Site.
Here’s a two-day itinerary for things to do and places to see in Pleasant Hill, CA.
Day 1
Coffee-seeking travlers an get organic, fair-trade coffeeat Rooted Coffee. Family-owned and a favorite for locals, this café offers plant-based pastries and parfaits.
Get out in nature with a hike, bike or stroll in Mount Diablo State Park. High above the Bay, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views in all directions in this 20,000-plus acre, state park that native Americans consider sacred. Take along fresh pressed juice from the highly-rated Siren’s Pizza and Sandwiches for lunch.
Late afternoons in Pleasant Hill offer something we don’t get enough of these days – social time. Known as a happy hour mecca, consider these great options for bargains on food and beverages.
In Pleasant Hill’s Oak Park Center, there are no fewer than four happy hours, almost side by side. Wence’s has specials on oysters and other fresh seafood. Well drinks and drafts are $5, along with other beverage bargains. Sol y Luna, WiseGirl and Kobe Japan round out the happy hour offerings in this little center.
Craving a quieter place to nibble and sip? Tzunun has Oaxaca quesadillas for $7 during happy hour, along with unusual offerings like Mexican street corn ribs and cactus salad. Drink specials include $7 margaritas and $6 draft beer and wine. In downtown Pleasant Hill, Crescent Bistro has $5 well drinks and an offering of $5 appetizers like cured salmon deviled eggs, parmesan garlic fries and jalapeno cheddar doughnuts. Nearby, Jack’s has just drinks on its happy hour menu, with well pours for $6 and a long list of other drink specials.
You can even get a healthy selection of cutting-edge wellness modalities for every goal at Restore Hyper Wellness, which offers treatments for everything from decreasing inflammation and sleep optimization to energy boosters and treatments for aging.
After an early evening social hour, take in a movie at the Cinemark Century Downtown Pleasant Hill. Rated one of the best regional movie venues, there are 16 theaters in this multiplex in the walkable downtown district.
One of this year’s travel trends is sleep tourism – where a good night’s sleep is key to a restful out-of-town trip. Pleasant Hill has seven hotels, including Sonesta Select Pleasant Hill, where the inn has its own dog concierge. Other popular brand name hotels include Residence Inn by Marriott, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Hyatt House. For guests who want the conveniences of home and a longer, budget-friendly stay, there’s Extended Stay America. And Pleasant Hill even has boutique hotel options like Pleasant Hill Inn and Sun Valley Inn. Many have swimming pools that stay open throughout the year.
Day 2
While several of the hotels offer in-house breakfast, you can also get hearty breakfast bowl or pancakes smothered with blueberries at Sherry’s Kitchen or The Hangout.
A must-see attraction is the nearby John Muir National Historic Site. There’s no entrance fee to tour the famed naturalist’s home and property, a sanctuary for many of the birds and animals native to the region. Another stunning natural setting is nearby Briones Regional Park with its undulating, grass-covered hills and secluded shady canyons. From Briones Peak you have a second day of panoramic views.
Your second please Pleasant Hill day can also include these nearby attractions:
Back 2 Perfect – For an enjoyable massage.
• Bricks & Minifigs – Check out the largest toy store of its kind, specializing in only new and used LEGO® items.
• Brookwood Park Labyrinth – For getting in touch with your spiritual side.
• California Grand Casino – For slot play and table games.
• Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library Book Store – Books for every interest with all proceeds benefiting the library system.
• Paso Nogal Park – A pretty park for an afternoon stroll which is great for dogs.
• Pleasant Hill Park – A local favorite for Bocce Ball and other outdoor recreation.
• Pleasant Hill Psychic – for everything from spiritual cleansing and Chakra balancing to psychic, tarot and crystal readings.
• Rasputin Records – Check out the inventory of vinal and film at the largest independent chain of record stores in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center – A National Historical site and a living history museum honoring one of the area’s early ranches.
• Thirft/Vintage Store Shopping – You would probaly never get PubClub LIVE!, co-host Soul Cole out of this place.
After some – or all – of this, Pleasant Hill has highly-regarded restaurants and a vibrant downtown with firepits and street furniture Here are some local favorites to add to the options mentioned on day one:
• Crescent Bistro – An upscale downtown restaurant with a fresh take on California cuisine that includes locally-sourced ingredients and craft cocktails.
• El Morocco – Traditional Moroccan and Mediterranean food.
• Escape from Fisherman’s Wharf – Fresh shellfish, deli sandwiches, salads, soups, and ice cream from across the bridge
• Jo’s Honda Sushi – Authentic Japanese cuisine.
• Nama K-Street Food – Korean dishes.
• Slow Hand BBQ – Ribs, chicken and brisket plus savory sides.
• William Welch Wines – Local wines are featured here.
For nightlife, there is the live music venues WiseGirl plus the renowned Concord Pavilion for major artists. Special events include a number of festivals in the area like the spring Art, Wine & Music Festival and the annual summer Blues & Brews Festival.
Like discounts and rewards? Pleasant Hill recently launched its I LOVE Pleasant Hill (digital) Passport, which features a wide range of special offers, including spa discounts, two-for-one beverages, restaurant deals, and even a free palm reading. Additionally, visitors will earn points to redeem for quarterly sweepstakes’ prizes and the first 10 passholders to check-in at five businesses will get a free Pleasant Hill branded T-shirt.
The Pleasant Hill website has more deets on this and other activities.
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