Things to Do in Pleasanton CA
Explore the City From Our Ideal Downtown Location
Step outside The Rose Hotel onto Pleasanton’s charming, pedestrian-friendly Main Street, home to over 150 boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. Nearby, Stoneridge Mall and San Francisco Premium Outlets offer over 300 name-brand stores for serious shoppers.
The region’s Mediterranean like climate is perfect for enjoying golf, wine tasting, hiking, and more. Pleasanton is also near major business hubs like Hacienda Business Park and Bishop Ranch, with Silicon Valley and San Francisco just under an hour away.
Dining & Drinking
Downtown Pleasanton boasts a diverse culinary scene within walking distance of The Rose Hotel. Here are some notable establishments:
Food & Drink Trails
Online maps of the Tri-Valley Beer Trail, Tri-Valley Caffeine Trail and Tri-Valley Ice Cream Trail show you the best places to stop in the area for brews, frozen treats, plus coffee and tea shops. Check the sites for ways to get discounts and earn prizes!
Baci Café
Stylish cafe serving elevated California cuisine for lunch & dinner with full bar & outdoor seating.
Blue Agave Club
Find Mexican favorites like enchiladas, mole, carnitas, camarones xochitl, and, of course, tasty margaritas at this popular, vibrant spot. Easygoing Mexican restaurant featuring outdoor seating & a bar with an extensive tequila collection.
Hap’s Original
This classic New York-style steak and seafood house uses locally sourced produce and boasts more than 300 wines from around the world, with a focus on California, elsewhere on the West Coast, and Champagne.
Nonni’s Bistro
An elegant touch and attention to quality runs through the from-scratch menus here, from breakfast omelets to the French onion soup to steak frites at dinner.
Pastas Trattoria
A romantic ambiance sets the stage for pizza, pastas, hearty seafood and meat dishes, and other Italian specialties, which pair exquisitely with their craft cocktails and impressive wine list.
Andy & Yu’s
Offers fine Chinese cuisine spanning seafood, salads, noodles, and more, elevated with an upscale wine list and craft cocktails; don’t miss the classic lunch specials as well.
Bike Rentals
Explore Pleasanton and its scenic surroundings on two wheels with these local bike rental services:
Pedego Electric Bikes
Located in nearby Livermore, this shop offers hourly and daily rentals of electric bikes, making it easy to explore the gorgeous rolling hills. They also organize tours of the Livermore Wine Country and custom tours for groups small or large.
Superfly Wheels
Situated in downtown Pleasanton, this shop is your headquarters for serious mountain bike rentals by the hour or for multiple days.
Business Services
For your professional needs, Pleasanton offers several convenient business service centers:
FedEx OnSite at Walgreens
Provides FedEx shipping services within the Walgreens store.
FedEx Office Print & Ship Center
Offers printing, copying, and shipping services.
The UPS Store
Provides a range of shipping, printing, and mailbox services.
Cultural Attractions
Immerse yourself in the local arts and history scene at these venues:
Firehouse Arts Center
This city-owned venue features music, theater productions, and art exhibitions. It includes a 220-seat theater for live entertainment, a 2,000-square-foot gallery, and two large classrooms.
Livermore Arts
Home to the Bankhead Theater, Bankhead Gallery, and Bothwell Arts Center, offering a range of visual and performing arts experiences.
Museum on Main
Located in downtown Pleasanton, this museum offers a fascinating peek at local and regional history plus walking tours.
Entertainment
For leisure and entertainment, consider these local options:
Alameda County Fairgrounds
The fairgrounds host more than 300 events annually, including the county fair, horse shows, food festivals, and more. Check its events calendar for upcoming events during your visit.
Main Street Brewery
This popular downtown spot showcases live bands on weekends; check their Facebook page for the latest lineup.
Family & Groups
Engage in fun activities suitable for families and groups:
Iceland Ice Skating
Freestyle and pick-up hockey games are available, along with broomball—a fun twist on hockey without skates. Watch for upcoming figure skating events and learn-to-skate classes.
The Wave Waterpark
From lap swimming, water slides and aqua fitness to water walking and private parties, this community favorite is a splash for locals and visitors alike.
Skyzone Trampoline Park
This energetic indoor center features wall-to-wall trampolines, a dodgeball arena, slam dunk zone, and vertical climbing wall.
Umigo GoKart Racing
Hit the gas in high-speed, unregulated fuel go-karts on a variety of track layouts that are frequently updated. Reservations are recommended, especially for team-building events or family parties.
Outdoor Activities
San Francisco Premium Outlets
Located in nearby Livermore, this open-air outlet destination features over 180+ designer and name-brand stores, including Gucci, Armani, Coach, Jimmy Choo, and Versace.
Stoneridge Shopping Center
Just minutes from downtown, this expansive indoor mall is home to 130+ shops and restaurants, including Nordstrom, Macy's, Apple, Lego, Sephora, and Uniqlo.
Pleasanton Farmers’ Market
Held Saturdays year-round from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 46 W. West Angela St. (at Main Street). Enjoy fresh produce from family farms, baked goods, honey, cheese, kettle corn, and other local delights.
Downtown Pleasanton
A treasure trove of locally owned small businesses. Visit the Shop Small – Support Local page on the Downtown Pleasanton site for Downtown Spotlights and a full list of local boutiques, specialty shops, and more.
Shopping
Browse local treasures and big-name brands throughout Pleasanton and nearby Livermore:
San Francisco Premium Outlets
Located in nearby Livermore, this open-air outlet destination features over 180+ designer and name-brand stores, including Gucci, Armani, Coach, Jimmy Choo, and Versace.
Stoneridge Shopping Center
Just minutes from downtown, this expansive indoor mall is home to 130+ shops and restaurants, including Nordstrom, Macy's, Apple, Lego, Sephora, and Uniqlo.
Pleasanton Farmers’ Market
Held Saturdays year-round from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 46 W. West Angela St. (at Main Street). Enjoy fresh produce from family farms, baked goods, honey, cheese, kettle corn, and other local delights.
Downtown Pleasanton
A treasure trove of locally owned small businesses. Visit the Shop Small – Support Local page on the Downtown Pleasanton site for Downtown Spotlights and a full list of local boutiques, specialty shops, and more.
Wedding Services
Celebrate your special day in style with elegant venues in and around Pleasanton:
Looking for more options? Our staff is happy to recommend additional local wedding venues and event centers.
Palm Event Center in the Vineyard
A luxurious winery estate offering picturesque vineyard backdrops, refined indoor spaces, and attentive service to make your wedding truly unforgettable.
Wine Tasting & Tours
Sip and savor your way through the renowned Livermore Valley wine region, just minutes from Pleasanton:
Livermore Wine Trolley
Discover wine country aboard a vintage trolley-style vehicle featuring modern amenities, comfortable seating, and panoramic windows perfect for soaking in the views.
Ruby Hill Winery
Established in 1883, Ruby Hill is a local favorite for wine tastings, gourmet deli items, and wine-themed gifts and apparel. Open daily; reservations recommended on weekends.
Wente Winery
One of the region's most iconic wineries, Wente offers award-winning wines in a breathtaking setting. Reservations are required for tastings in this tranquil, vineyard-draped escape.
Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association
Explore more than 50 wineries in this celebrated wine country, each offering a unique varietal experience amid scenic surroundings. The association's website provides a complete list of wineries, transportation options, tour details, and local dining recommendations.