Let’s be honest, when you’re choosing where to spend a fun day in the Bay Area, visiting Pleasant Hill is probably not on the top of the list. It’s a quiet city that seemingly doesn’t have a lot to do on the surface. But there’s a lot of hidden gems for family activities, and it has easy access to unique experiences in neighboring cities like Concord and Walnut Creek. Whether you’re looking to speed down a water slide or stroll through a botanical garden, this list has something for you.
Join Off the Grid every Wednesday from 5 PM to 9 PM on a beautiful lawn near Pleasant Hill’s City Hall. We’re bringing live entertainment, wine & beer, and a rotating selection of food trucks serving everything from empanadas to ceviche to Philly cheesesteak. Can’t wait to see you there!
If you’re looking for some retro fun, check out The Flipper Room. It’s an arcade and art gallery featuring over 30 pinball machines. It’s quarter-operated, and they don’t have an ATM, so bring your own coins. They feature a combination of new, classic, and rare pinball machines. Their oldest machine currently on the floor is the Moulin Rouge from 1965. Spend the night jumping between their Godzilla, James Bond, Strange Things, and Pulp Fiction pinball machines.
For families with small children, Pixieland is a great place to spend the day. It’s an amusement park with familiar rides like spinning tea cups, a carousel, and a small roller coaster. Admission and parking are free, so you only need to pay for the attractions. If you’re looking for more of a thrill, consider Six Flags Hurricane Harbor instead. It’s a large waterpark with giant waterslides, a halfpipe, tide pool, and lazy river. There’s also a splash zone for small children. Although a bit further from Pleasant Hill, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is another great amusement park in the area. Fly like Superman, on the Ultimate Flight coaster or go for a loop on Batman: The Ride. Discovery Kingdom has a zoo with tigers, giraffes, seals, and dolphins. Don’t miss the underwater tunnel with a sweet view of the sharks up close.
There’s also a lot in the area for plant and animal lovers to enjoy. The Ruth Bancroft Garden doubles as a nursery and botanical garden. It’s not like other gardens in the Bay Area in the sense that they specialize in climate-resilient plants like succulents, cacti, agave, aloes, and yucca. The collection of plants makes for unique scenery, and they’re ideal for California’s hot summers. There’s also an area to just hang out. The Garden at Heather Farm offers a more traditional garden experience with over 6.5 acres of gardens including a rose garden. Stop by to buy some plants or inquire about planning an event. Heather Farm also includes playgrounds, a swim center, and equestrian center. The Lindsay Wildlife Experience, formerly the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, is a rehabilitation center for injured wildlife that doubles as a learning center. You can see snakes, lizards, birds, and other recovering animals up close.
If you would rather spend your day indoors, and you’re looking to spend some cash, the Pleasant Hill area is home to a lot of great specialty stores. Visit Play it Again Sports for a great deal on used sports and fitness equipment. Or stop by Wild Birds Unlimited and check out their numerous types of bird feeders, nest boxes, bird baths, and bird food. Once you stock up on bird feeding materials, you’ll need a pair of binoculars to get a closer look at your new visitors. Luckily, Mike’s Camera Inc carries a variety of binoculars, scopes, and cameras.
