Pleasanton has a long and rich history, dating back to the Ohlone tribe that first settled the area 4,000 years ago. The town was later a part of the pasture extending north from the Spanish San Jose Mission. Today, Pleasanton is a thriving town with a population of over 70,000. With an average high temperature of 89 degrees Fahrenheit, the area features a number water parks and lakes where you can go to cool off.
Val Vista Community Park
- Val Vista Community Park is run by the city of Pleasanton and open to the public. In the northwest section of town, the park's sizable playgrounds feature slides, swings, bridges and wheels alongside several water features, such as a timed sprayer with buttons, for those who want to cool off. In addition, Val Vista has a stream running through the park, an inline skating rink, climbing wall, roller hockey arena, labyrinth and picnic tables that can accommodate up to 250 people.
Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area
- Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area, in the center of Pleasanton, is operated by the East Bay Regional Park District and covers 266 acres, including an 80-acre lake. The lake is open for swimming year-round, with lifeguards on duty during summer months. Boaters can choose from several rental options or bring their own human-powered vessels, and anyone who drops a line may snag a bluegill or black bass. If you'd prefer a more peaceful lakeside retreat, there are several smaller ponds at Shadow Cliffs with no swimming or boating allowed.
San Ramon Olympic Pool & Aquatic Center
- Just 10 miles north of Pleasanton, the city of San Ramon runs its own Olympic-sized pool and aquatic center. For a small entry fee, you can enjoy a wading pool with buckets that fill and pour water and a second child-friendly pool alongside the full-sized one. The center also features a tube slide, tunnel, cannons and showers in the primary play structure. The pool also has a couple of diving boards for good measure.
Lake Chabot Regional Park
- A 20-minute drive west of Pleasanton sits the stunning 315-acre Lake Chabot. Visitors can enjoy views of the lake from the surrounding trails or by gliding over its placid waters. Lake Chabot is an emergency reservoir for the Bay Area, so swimming is not allowed, but you can tour the lake in anything from a pedal boat to a canoe. There are over 20 miles of trails open to hikers and 14 to cyclists, while anglers can expect to catch trout and catfish.
