Pleasant Hill , California

Pleasant Hill is indeed a pleasant place. We wouldn’t be surprised if somewhere in this article we accidentally refer to is at Pleasantville (not anything like the movie, we promise). Residents report feeling safe, enjoy easy access to nature, and benefit from a strong sense of community and good schools, all within a reasonable drive of big city amenities.

Safety is a priority for many who choose to move and raise their families in Pleasant Hill. There is a visible and strong police presence here (read: you feel perfectly fine walking home at night). A walkable and cute downtown area and shopping centers like The Verdana offer a collection of restaurants, stores, coffee shops, and entertainment options. Plus a full calendar of local festivals and community events where you’re likely to run into your neighbors to enhance the small-town vibe.

You may not get ocean views like other parts of the Bay Area, but the view of Mt. Diablo ain’t bad either. Nature lovers need not look far for things to do. Enjoy great access to parks like the popular Briones Regional Park just 3 miles away where hikers (and their pups!) can enjoy 6,255 acres containing scenic hiking trails, camping and picnic areas and even an archery range. Or, hop on your bike or horse to explore the Contra Costa Canal Trail, a secure off-road pathway connecting the cities of Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek and Concord. Want to go bigger? Only 1 hour to the west is Muir Woods National Monument with its iconic redwoods, and 3 hours to the east lies Yosemite – yes, the Yosemite – and the infamous Half Dome skyline. Other weekend getaway options include Lake Tahoe and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

When you live close to vibrant, culturally diverse meccas like Oakland and San Francisco, it can be difficult not to directly compare them to your suburb’s characteristics and offerings. This leads to mixed reviews from residents on whether PH is relatively culturally and economically diverse or not. But one thing most residents can all agree on? There is a real lack of good ethnic food options.

The cost of housing is a growing downside of life in Pleasant Hill? Prospective residents realize quickly that you have to pay a “Pleasant Hill premium” of about $200,000 above what you might dole out for the same house in surrounding cities (although some, like Walnut Creek, will be 20% more than Pleasant Hill).

The exceptional schools, abundance of outdoor spaces, and local events like farmers markets and outdoor concerts offer families a well-rounded and community-oriented lifestyle. If you want to know your neighbors and care about volunteering within your community, you’ll fit right in in Pleasant Hill. Residents remark on the opportunities for adults especially children to invest in and give back to their community, like on the annual Community Service Day.

It’s worth mentioning again that living surrounded by trees, parks, mountain views and some of the country’s most iconic parks and preserves is just one part of what makes Pleasant Hill so pleasant. Niche.com gave the city an “A” in Outdoor Activities, Health & Fitness, Weather and Diversity. Closely followed by an “A-” for Good for Families, Schools, and Nightlife, and a “B+” for Commute.

While life here is certainly slower than in Oakland and San Fran, residents do have dining and entertainment options, including the popular night-out spot Jack’s Taps. And for those who need or want to commute into the city, it’s about a thirty-minute drive to Oakland from your serene suburban streets. Or, hop on BART and get to San Francisco in just over an hour.

Mount Diablo Unified School District, Martinez Unified School District and Acalanes Union High School District all serve the Pleasant Hill region. If they’d like, students can go all the way from preschool through one of the best community colleges in the county - Diablo Valley College - without leaving the city. The 23 public elementary, 14 public middle, and 11 public high schools in Pleasant Hill have an overall “A-” rating by Niche.com. Acalanes Union High School District stands out in particular and has been named one of the top 15 school districts in California. In addition to strong academic opportunities, children within the community also benefit from quality sports leagues, like the PHMSA, which help them cultivate new friendships and strengthen community ties. Private school options in the area are also plentiful, the most distinguished being The College Preparatory School in Oakland.