Pleasant Hill

By car

Pleasant Hill is accessible by car from highway 680 with exits at Contra Costa Boulevard, Monument Boulevard, and Willow Pass Road (it's in Concord but the closest exit to northern Pleasant Hill).

By BART

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stops at the Pleasant Hill station.

By air

Small aircraft can land at Buchanan Field Airport in nearby Concord but most people coming to Pleasant Hill by air use the larger Oakland Airport and then drive in or take BART the rest of the way.

Although biking and walking is certainly an option, it is advisable to have access to a car while staying in Pleasant Hill. Bus service (County Connection) is also available.

By taxi

Taxi service is available, but on a much reduced scale as compared to major cities. Occasionally you might be able to hail a cab at the Bart Station and in the downtown area but don't expect it; it is always better to call and arrange for a taxi to pick you up.

• Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center

  address: 315 Cortsen Rd
  Built in 1868, The house is open to the public on the second Sunday of each month from 2–4PM.

• Contra Costa Canal TrailThis trail is built along the canal system and passes through Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, and Concord. It connects Concord's Lime Ridge with Pleasant Hill's Las Juntas Park and Walnut Creek's Larkey Park and Heather Farm. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians are allowed on the trail.

• Downtown Pleasant HillAlthough this area is often frequented by middle and high schoolers, Downtown Pleasant Hill offers many delightful activities both during the day and at night. Century 16 Movie Theaters is downtown, which shows all of the biggest movies that are released. There are many shops and restaurants.

Downtown Pleasant Hill offers a variety of restaurants, ranging from Chipotle to Redbrick Pizza to the more upscale French restaurant Left Bank.
Restaurants outside the downtown area include:

• Melo's

  address: 1660 Contra Costa Blvd
  Offers casual Italian meals. The pizza and pasta are traditional, yet delicious.

• Back Forty Barbecue

  address: 100 Coggins Dr
  A tiny barbecue joint that maintains a bit of old California character. The food is reasonably priced and more than edible, and the bar serves decent drinks.

• Casper's

  address: 6 Vivian Dr
  A small hot dog joint which is well-known to locals. Besides made-to-order hot dogs, good thick milkshakes are served.

• DeVino's

  address: 2221 Morello Ave
  Great family place for pizza and pasta.

• Nation's Hamburgers

  address: 1900 Contra Costa Blvd
  A small but good hamburger place.

• Three Brothers from China

  address: 2001 Contra Costa Blvd
  Chinese cuisine.

• Donut King

  address: 1607 Contra Costa Blvd
  Contra Costa Blvd. Best donuts ever.

• Giant Chef Burger

  address: 10 Golf Club Rd
  Known for its great breakfast that's known as being one of the best around, cash only though

• Kinder's Custom Meats

  address: 2227 Morello Ave
  Known for having some of the best sandwiches around, part of the Kinder's franchise that is local to the Bay Area. Try the ball tip sandwich.

• Farrington's

  address: 1938 Contra Costa Blvd
  Irish style bar recently remodeled, has 21 HD TVs, pool, darts and shuffleboard. They have a DJ every Friday and Saturday night, has decent parking.

• Courtyard Pleasant Hill

  phone: +1 925 691-1444
  address: 2250 Contra Costa Blvd

• Residence Inn Pleasant Hill Concord

  phone: +1 925 689-1010
  address: 700 Ellinwood Way

• Hyatt House Pleasant Hill

  phone: +1 925 934-3343
  address: 2611 Contra Costa Blvd

• Concord - Concord is one of the largest cities in the East Bay and has a variety of shopping and dining options.
• Walnut Creek - Downtown Walnut Creek is perhaps Contra Costa County's best option for restaurants and bars. Shopaholics will also be more than satisfied with the variety of downtown boutiques.