Overview
Pleasanton is a city in Alameda County, considered a suburb of the San Francisco Bay area. Its rich history dates back to the late 1800s when it was first established as Alisal. The town has preserved many buildings in the historic downtown area showcasing the beautiful 19th-century Gothic Revival and Queen Anne architecture. With many events and festivals throughout the year, the tight-knit community of Pleasanton spends a great time enjoying the company of their neighbors while still being accessible to San Francisco, which is only 45 minutes away.
Climate and Geography
The Bay Area region of Northern California experiences a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, which is characterized by mild to cool winters and warm to hot summers. Overall, the climate in Pleasanton is comfortable year round. The city experiences more rainfall than the national average, mostly during the winter months in lieu of snow, while the summers are dry with almost no precipitation. Residents can also expect around 264 days of sunshine each year.
Pleasanton lies in the Amador Valley and is surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides. The San Francisco Bay lies about 20 miles to the west.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Despite being a mid-sized city, Pleasanton tries to cultivate a small-town atmosphere by hosting regular community-oriented events such as festivals, street fairs, parades, and public concerts. Some of the most popular local attractions include the Pleasanton Farmers Market, Alameda County Fairgrounds, Ruby Hill Winery, Stoneridge Shopping Center, Augustin Bernal Park, Rubino Estates Winery, Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area, Museum on Main, Castle Ridge Trail, and Patelco Sports Complex.
Aside from these popular attractions, Pleasanton has a public library and a senior center with many programs like a Lunch Program, Solemates Walking group, Monday Movies, and transportation services.
For even more fun opportunities, residents can reach downtown San Francisco in just under an hour, ideal for day trips or weekend getaways in the city.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The cost of living in Pleasanton is quite high, primarily due to the high cost of housing and homes, at nearly five times the national average.
California has an effective income tax rate of 1.79 percent for single filers and 4.6 percent for joint filers. Retirement income like social security benefits are not taxed while other retirement income like railroad retirement benefits are generally exempt. Other retirement income like private, government, and military retirement plans are taxed.
Qualifying homeowners who are 62+ may defer payment from property taxes.
Health Care
Pleasanton’s closest hospital is Stanford Health Care-ValleyCare which is less than a mile from Pleasanton and has been given recognition for high performance in several procedures and conditions by U.S. News. Other nationally ranked institutions like John Muir Health-Walnut Creek Medical Center and Stanford Health Care Stanford Hospital are within 25 miles and Pleasanton and specialize in multiple procedure and conditions.