Overview
Pleasant Hill is in Contra Costa County in the Bay Area of California.
1 sights · 2 things to do · 9 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Pleasant Hill
Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center
Built in 1868, The house is open to the public on the second Sunday of each month from 2–4PM.
Contra Costa Canal Trail
This 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 Far…
Downtown Pleasant Hill
Although 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 th…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 39°F. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Concord)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CCR Buchanan Field, Concord — 3 mi away. Directions
- OAK Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, Oakland — 18 mi away (major hub). Directions
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).
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center, Contra Costa Canal Trail
- Lunch Kinder's Custom Meats
- Afternoon Downtown Pleasant Hill
- Dinner DeVino's
- Evening Farrington's
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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:
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
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 plane
Small aircraft can land at Buchanan Field Airport (CCR) in nearby Concord but most people coming to Pleasant Hill by air use the larger Oakland Airport (OAK) and then drive in or take BART the rest of the way.
Get around
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.
See
See Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center
Built in 1868, The house is open to the public on the second Sunday of each month from 2–4PM.
Do
Do Contra Costa Canal Trail
This 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.
Do Downtown Pleasant Hill
Although 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.
Eat
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:
Eat Melo's
Offers casual Italian meals. The pizza and pasta are traditional, yet delicious.
Eat Back Forty Barbecue
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.
Eat Casper's
A small hot dog joint which is well-known to locals. Besides made-to-order hot dogs, good thick milkshakes are served.
Eat DeVino's
Great family place for pizza and pasta.
Eat Nation's Hamburgers
A small but good hamburger place.
Eat Three Brothers from China
Chinese cuisine.
Eat Donut King
Contra Costa Blvd. Best donuts ever.
Eat Giant Chef Burger
Known for its great breakfast that's known as being one of the best around, cash only though
Eat Kinder's Custom Meats
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.
Drink
Drink Farrington's
Irish style bar, has 21 HD TVs, pool, darts and shuffleboard. They have a DJ every Friday and Saturday night, has decent parking.
Sleep
Go next
- 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.
Nearby
Concord
City / town · 30 listings · 4 mi away
Walnut Creek
City / town · 32 listings · 5 mi away
Lafayette
City / town · 5 listings · 5 mi away
Martinez
City / town · 27 listings · 6 mi away
Orinda
City / town · 8 listings · 7 mi away
Clayton
City / town · 4 listings · 8 mi away
Moraga
City / town · 3 listings · 9 mi away
Benicia
City / town · 16 listings · 9 mi away
My experience
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