Pleasant Hill

 

Pleasant Hill began to be developed in the 1920s. The main thoroughfare, Monument Boulevard was named for the Soldiers Memorial Monument built in 1927 to commemorate soldiers of World War I. 

 

For many years, Pleasant Hill did not have a downtown. Then in 2000, the privately-owned outdoor shopping area at the intersection of Monument and Contra Costa Boulevards opened. This quaint main street area has brought much needed retail and restaurant business to Pleasant Hill. 

 

Pleasant Hill is home to Diablo Valley Community College and John F. Kennedy University. Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actor Tom Hanks spent much of his early life in Pleasant Hill.