20 Attractions to Explore Near Pleasanton Ridge

This beautiful 9090-acre parkland is on the oak-covered ridge overlooking Pleasanton and the Livermore Valley from the west. This Park contains over 25 miles of trails, most of which are dirt roads, except for the Woodland Trail, the Bay Leaf Trail, and a few sections of the North Ridge and Ridgeline trails.

Pleasanton's Museum on Main is dedicated to linking the past to the future by preserving, clarifying and disseminating information about history specific to the Tri Valley region. Its collection at California Revealed consists of texts, moving images, and audio recordings from the 1890s to 2000s. The collection includes oral history interviews with residents of Pleasanton, films about Livermore, and an extensive run of issues of the Pleasanton Times.

Niles Canyon Railway is a living history museum interpreting the importance of our heritage railroads in the development of California and the nation. The railroad is operated and maintained by the Pacific Locomotive Association which preserves, restores and operates historic railroad equipment. The NCRy features public excursions with both steam and diesel locomotives along a well-preserved portion of the First Transcontinental Railroad.

Vargas Plateau Regional Park sits on a plateau in the Fremont Hills of Alameda County, California that overlooks the San Francisco Bay. This 1,249-acre regional park provides tremendous views from its setting in the Fremont Hills. The park contains an array of habitats, such as grassland, seasonal wetlands, stock ponds, perennial and ephemeral drainages and so more. Hiking, biking and horseback riding are the most popular activities. Observation of birds and other wildlife can also be enjoyed.

A public water park with slides, a picnic area, hiking, fishing, swimming and fun for the family.The swimming beach on the main lake and a refreshment stand that are open on weekends in Spring and Fall and daily in summer. Pets and glass containers are not allowed on the sandy areas of the beach.

Niles Canyon is a canyon in the San Francisco Bay Area formed by Alameda Creek, known for its heritage railroad and silent movie history. The Niles Canyon Trail Project proposes to install a six-mile long pathway that is 10 feet wide and is intended to accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians.

Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park is a regional park located in Union City, California, sharing a contiguous border with sister park Garin Regional Park. More than 20 miles of trails within Garin and Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks give visitors the opportunity to explore the 5,857 acres that comprise these parklands. While the trails are not paved, they are great for hiking, horseback riding, and many are suitable for bicycles.

A beautiful film museum housed in the Edison Theater, a century-old Nickelodeon movie theater, just half a block from the former site of the Niles Essanay Studios where Broncho Billy and Charlie Chaplin made films in the 1910s. It is dedicated to preserving and showing silent films and their history.The museum houses a large collection of Motion Picture equipment and related artifacts, as well as about 10,000 Silent Films in their archive.

Ruby Hill Winery was one of the largest and most revered producers of wine in the Livermore Valley. In 2002, Mike Callahan purchased the 105 acre parcel, known as Ruby Hill and Rubino Estates Winery. Ruby Hill Winery quickly became a popular location for visitors of the Livermore Valley and what started off as a hobby quickly blossomed into something more.

Garin Regional Park is a regional park located in Hayward, California. The park is situated behind the California State University, East Bay campus, and extends south, sharing a border with Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park. Summits in the park reach as high as 1,500 feet. Among the maintained trails, Garin Regional Park features several fenced off abandoned trails, some of which lead deep into the forest.

A beautiful regional park located in Fremont, California that is part of the East Bay Regional Parks system. The park is a beautiful water-oriented recreation area, which offers more intensive recreation such as picnicking, boating, swimming and fishing, but also has room for hiking and wildlife viewing.

The Alameda Creek Regional Trail runs from the mouth of Niles Canyon in Fremont to the San Francisco Bay, allowing recreational access to the levees on both sides of Alameda Creek and its flood control channel. The trail on each side of the creek is roughly 12 miles long. The trail on the south bank provides access to Coyote Hills Regional Park. An additional 3.5-mile-loop trail off the Alameda Creek Trail, into and out of Coyote Hills, and back onto the Alameda Creek Trail.

Mission San José is a Spanish mission located in the present-day city of Fremont, California. It was founded on June 11, 1797, by the Franciscan order and was the fourteenth Spanish mission established in California. The old mission church remains in use as a chapel of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, a parish of the Diocese of Oakland. The museum also features a visitor center, museum, and slide show telling the history of the mission.

Lake Elizabeth was created by excavation of part of Stivers Lagoon Marsh in 1968. It has a 2 mile walkway around the lake. The park is home to a large number of birds. Many people come to bicycle or jog around the lake's perimeter, and many families come for the two playgrounds in the park and the other three that it connects to by walkway.

Alameda Central is a beautiful location where people can relax and enjoy the city's energy without being overwhelmed by it. This is a green garden with paved paths and decorative fountains and statues, and is frequently the center of civic events.

Sycamore Grove Park offers leisurely strolls or vigorous hikes on 775 acres of varied terrain. Several picturesque footbridges crisscross the waterways. Creekside areas boast frogs, pond turtles, dragonflies, ducks and muskrats.

Cuda Ridge Wines produces Bordeaux style wines that bring out the wonderful terroir of Livermore Valley. The Cuda Ridge winery and Tasting Room is located at 2400 Arroyo Road in Livermore, California. It is a truly family and friends run winery. They have limited production with unique character. Visit Cuda Ridge Wines for a truly enjoyable wine experience.

Don Castro Regional Recreation Area is a regional park located in Hayward, California. It is part of the East Bay Regional Parks system.The clear blue waters of the swim lagoon are a favorite with central Alameda County residents. The lagoon and adjacent lake were created in 1964 when the Alameda Flood Control and Water Conservation District dammed San Lorenzo Creek.

Mission Peak is a 2,517-foot summit east of the San Francisco Bay in Fremont. Mission Peak has symbolic importance, and is depicted on the logo of the City of Fremont. It is located in Mission Peak Regional Preserve, a regional park operated by the East Bay Regional Park District. Mission Peak Regional Preserve is a popular location for hang gliding and paragliding.

Ardenwood Historic Farm is a Regional Historic Landmark in Fremont, California. It offers a glimpse into life on a family farm between 1890 and 1930. Step back in time as you explore the remnants of the once vast estate of George and Clara Patterson, whose family farmed the land for over 100 years, beginning in the 1850s. This farm consists of the Ardenwood Station, the former Ohlone village and burial site, a blacksmith shop, an area with farm animals, Patterson House, and a gazebo.