Bar/nightlife near Pleasanton? (Oakland, Berkeley: apartments, crime, house)

[Delmar88]

I am moving from out east here in a couple months, and currently I am in the area for a couple weeks to check out apartments and such. I have a job in Pleasanton, but I am looking for apartments in an area that would be within walking distances of a few bars, cafes, and a kind of nightlife community, and that doesn't seem to be Pleasanton at all lol.

So my question is what cities within commutable distance to Pleasanton around the bay area have a good bar/nightlife scene? Thanks!

[sav858]

Downtown Walnut Creek. Pleasanton nightlife sucks.

[ippi76]

You're right, Pleasanton is pretty much all families and people there for the good schools. I know Livermore has a "downtown" of sorts, you could check that out.
Walnut Creek is known as nightlife capital of inner East Bay, so you could check there but it's farther than Livermore, also going with traffic so sucky commute (traffic goes south on 680 in the morning).

Outside of those, of course there is Oakland/Berkeley/SF but I really wouldn't do those unless you make craploads of $$$$$.

[Ceece]

Apartments within walking distance of anything in the Tri Valley aren't really a thing. There may be the odd one here and there but what you can walk to may not be what you are looking for. WC is really the place to do that.

[Delmar88]

Sounds like I will be checking out Walnut creek for sure, thanks! Any particular areas of town that i should avoid as a middle class white guy?

[sav858]

Originally Posted by Delmar88

Sounds like I will be checking out Walnut creek for sure, thanks! Any particular areas of town that i should avoid as a middle class white guy?

Nope. Not a whole lot of crime in WC to worry about. I've heard some say car break-in's might be an issue in the Creekside neighborhood but that's about as bad as it gets.

[Ceece]

Originally Posted by Delmar88

Sounds like I will be checking out Walnut creek for sure, thanks! Any particular areas of town that i should avoid as a middle class white guy?

Nope, you are good everywhere. But also remember that many things are a short car ride away so you aren't really locked in to anything no matter where you live. I drive all over, to WC, Livermore, Danville, etc to socialize and go out with friends. I also can be in SF in 40 minuts via BART so I do that sometimes too. In Pleasanton there are a few places near Main Street and in Livermore there are places on 1st St so depending on what you are looking for it may work. WC just has a much bigger Downtown with excellent ammenities that will serve many needs if walking everywhere is your goal.

Ironically, I actually can walk to a bar near my house if I really really wanted to but it's not a place I'd choose to hang out at.

[ccm123]

Pleasanton has got an awesome downtown area, but the nightlife portion is almost non-existent (family friendly area and the locals like it that way). As others have said, Downtown Walnut Creek is where it's at in the East Bay.