Outdoor Recreation
In addition to the numerous playing fields, playgrounds, tennis courts and newly renovated aquatic center, the City of Pleasanton has 42 community and neighborhood parks, approximately 24 miles of trails and over 800 acres of undeveloped open space. As well, the regional 33-mile Iron Horse Trail that connects Livermore to Suisun City travels through Hacienda right to the BART station.
Pleasanton’s celebrated public amenities include the Augustin Bernal Park, a 237-acre natural jewel along the ridgeline in the middle of the East Bay Regional park system, the interpretive Alviso Adobe Park that reveals the history of the Amador Valley, the Firehouse Arts Center, and award-winning Callippe Preserve Golf Course. Pleasanton is also home to Shadow Cliffs Regional Park, a 266-acre park including an 80-acre lake, and picnic grounds as well as facilities for boating, fishing and swimming, operated by East Bay Regional Park District.
Arts and Culture
The Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council (PCAC) promotes appreciation of the arts, provides facilities for arts activities and creates an environment where residents can pursue and enjoy a wide range of cultural opportunities. PCAC actively supported and rallied community support for the construction of the Cultural Arts Building to house arts activities.
The group was also responsible for the renovation of the Amador Valley Theater, which re-opened in 1989. In 2004, the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Foundation (PCAF) was formed as an extension of the PCAC to take the lead role in advocating for the Firehouse Arts Center including the securing of private funds, corporate donations and foundation grants to support the construction of the Firehouse Arts Center in downtown Pleasanton, and to fund ongoing arts activities within Pleasanton.
Firehouse Arts Center
The Firehouse Arts Center is a focal point that stimulates the economic growth and vitality of Pleasanton’s downtown core. The historic Fire One Stationhouse, built in 1929 in downtown Pleasanton, was completely renovated in 2010 and transformed into an arts center with a state-of-the-art studio theater, a spacious art gallery, two full classrooms, a grand lobby and office space. Each season, a diverse lineup of local and national touring acts make their way to the Firehouse stage while a variety of amateur and professional artists are displayed in the Harrington Gallery. For an evening of arts in an intimate setting, head to the Firehouse Arts Center. For information, call (925) 931-4850 or visit www.firehousearts.org.
Livermore-Amador Symphony, consisting of 60-plus amateur musicians, now in its 48th season, performs four concerts annually (December, February, March and May). For information, call (925) 447-3672.
Pleasanton Art League provides local artists with a vehicle for exposure and study. The league sponsors exhibitors and classes as well as an annual judged art show in conjunction with Heritage Days. Visit www.pal-art.com for more information.
Pleasanton Community Concert Band is open to all interested musicians. Rehearsals take place weekly. In addition to their own concert series, the band performs at several events throughout Pleasanton and Livermore. Call (925) 846-5897. Visit www.pleasantonband.org.
Valley Choral Society, one of the East Bay’s premier musical organizations, has been entertaining valley audiences for more than 40 years. The group, a four-part mixed chorus presents three concerts each season, as well as maintaining a “Music in the Schools” program and a Young Artists Competition. Call (925) 866-4003.
Pacific Masterworks Chorus is comprised of all non-paid volunteers and is joined together as a family of singing musicians interested in providing great choral music throughout the Bay Area. They provide training and education in historical and contemporary choral methods for individual growth and community enrichment. Founded in 2010, they welcome you to the inaugural season of the Pacific Masterworks Chorus! Visit www.pacificmasterworkschorus.org.
LIBRARY
Pleasanton’s library is a center for learning, research, reading and web access. In addition to answering questions, the library selects the best business information on the web and directs you to it via http://www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/services/library/lib-bus.html, as well as paying for databases like The Small Business Resource Center, and online foreign language learning tools and practice career qualification tests. Expert volunteers provide free legal advice, teach Excel or computer skills, review resumes and teaching adults how to read or how to speak English. With all this as well as hundreds of books and e-books on management, taxes, human resource tools, sales and other business topics, the library can be a great resource to your business and career. All library services are free and available at 400 Old Bernal Avenue from 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1:00-5:00 p.m. on Sunday. You can find more on the web or by calling (925) 931-3400.