StemChef

(5 reviews)

Great little place to reserve for your photo shoot...they had props,good light and plenty of…read moreparking. We were given a keycode to enter and your time is monitored. It was clean and well organized.

I am a photographer and I have used this studio a couple times I love it and the owner is so great!…read moreI highly recommend!

Inklings Coffee & Tea

(951 reviews)

•$$

Just traveling through on family vacation headed to Yosemite National Park. My wife, planned a…read morestop here not realizing that Inklings was named after the famed literary giants! We are huge Lewis and Tolkien fans. In fact we are reading "Mere Christianity" on the trip! Anyway, enough of that! Here's what you really need to know--GREAT atmosphere! GREAT coffee! GREAT sandwiches! Definitely the jewel of the city! Family on our vacation are from Washington, Oregon and Texas, so you have fans across the country! Please bring an Inklings to Texas! This is a must stop! You won't be disappointed!

Coffee shop located in the heart of Downtown Pleasanton. I'm not sure this place took over another…read morebusiness at some point because the space is really large. It also has an old-timey study or library or at least a literary vibe to this place. There's multiple rooms, including a stage in the back room. I think they have events here. Service is friendly and they have classic drinks as well as some festive ones. I was here on St. Patrick's Day so I got something festive even though it was overly sugary lol. I ordered the Lucky Charms White Mocha. It was tasty, but definitely a drink I wouldn't be able to order on the regular. I was able to set up my computer and one of the side rooms and get some work done. This place seems to be a very popular place for studying and doing some work. Just a great place in a great area. They have a large lot and there's also plenty of street parking in the area, especially during the day.

Shannon Park and Community Center

3.9

(44 reviews)

I live near by and have been to this park countless times. it's a beautiful park with bathrooms…read moreand a kid's play area. There is a community classroom that they use for summer programs as well. Parking is pretty easy

Love going there with my friends. There's lots to explore. Much space to play. Love going to…read moreparties there, totally recommend it!!!

Glass House

(3 reviews)

We were fortunate enough to tour the Glass House. Tours are only available on Saturdays and not…read moreconsistently. When we showed up, there was no docent as promised, but we were able to ask a nice lady to give us the tour. There is a video online worth watching about this property prior to visiting the house; it will give you more context and understanding. Great historical experience but they need more docents and support.

This white two story Italianate Victorian farm house build in 1877 has long been visible from busy…read morehighway 680; standing near the freeway and busy San Ramon Valley Blvd. it's a vivid reminder of the Valley's past. I always wanted to visit the house, but it only recently opened to the public has a house museum. I was fortunate to be able to join a small group for a private tour. As soon as we were met by a Docent in period dress the mood was set. Walking over the bridge to the house she started to tell the history of the Glass Family and the Valley as it was in 1877. Stepping though the door is really a step back in time. The nine room house is decorated as it would have been when the Glass family lived there. Everyone of the nine rooms was clean and not a bit of dust could be seen on the many knickknacks that the Victorians adorned their homes with. Everything in the house is original to the period. While the rugs, wallpaper, and some of the fabrics on furniture are new, they are all period reproductions. The knowledge that the two docents, Pat and Kim, shared was amazing. In addition to the story of the Glass family and the San Ramon Valley, they peppered their talk with some CA. history. I came away with even more of an appreciation of women in the 19th century working in those long dresses There is a connection between the Glass family and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. You will have to take a tour with either Pat or Kim to get the rest of the story.

Tassajara Ranch

4.5

(4 reviews)

Hosted a retirement party for several clients. 100% the most kind, generous, polite families in the…read moreindustry of hospitality.. I cannot say enough. Thank you for everything you did for our family and extended family.. Luke and Zach were Epic

One of the best venues in the entire Bay Area. Huge green grass area for live events or weddings…read morewith beautiful old style home on the property as well. Beautiful photo opportunity for family Christmas or engagement announcements as well. 10/10

Dublin Heritage Park & Museum

4.7

(11 reviews)

This is a beautiful hidden gem in Dublin , closed to the end of Dublin Blvd with popeye chicken and…read moreStarbucks . It has been a historic landmark . There are the antique house , farmhouse and a scripture with characters that represented those time and era . There are a Ohlone wearing seashell necklace and she was weaving a basket . A young girl tending the sheep , blacksmith making tools and he labored so timelessly .and a young boy plowing the soil to get it ready for farming . The antique house was KOLB HOUSE, built in 1910 . I peeped through the windows and saw the beautiful furniture, piano and many flower vases and China inside. They do have tour dates but it was not today . Outside was a lovely park with trees and plants . A man was playing balls with his dog . A lovely morning!

Great park with vintage home, museum and church in the middle of downtown Dublin. Parking at church…read moreand street. Great family outing that is free!

Kottinger Barn

(2 reviews)

The trinkets here are expensive but beautiful! I just visited this place again and now that I am a…read morefew years older I am able to appreciate the beauty of the aged building. There are cracks on the walls and the shackles and rooftop is very old-fashioned but that just adds to its charm. The owners of the shop were so sweet. They offered water and snacks and are just plain genuine. They didn't put any pressure on us to buy or to leave, even though they were closing up. They seemed more content with people just visiting and gawking at the historical site. This place is also part of the ghost tour held during Halloween. Yup, there have been many incidents here. Like footsteps on the second floor, objects being moved, stuff like that. The staircase within the shop gave me a creepy vibe. It is made of old wood and it is narrow. Looking up to the second floor is eerie and uncomfortable. Maybe I felt that way because my friend just told me that the ghosts known to inhibit the Kottinger Barn can be heard walking up and down these very steps. **Shivers** Ohhh ghost stories give me the willys but I love them! The way the owners set up the back yard is cute. It's ambiance is old and used and also kind of sad and lonely for it looked like it was abandoned for years. I can imagine the ghost sitting on one of the chairs, looking out of the yard at the changed world...(there goes my imagination again)

I've been to the Milfleur Gift Shop and Garden :) I know the history and have shopped there many…read moretimes. Haven't seen anything out of the ordinary, but then again I bet most people don't. Wish I were one of the few lucky ones that do ~ It's now a beautiful place with fabulous gifts with a Down Home, Friendly owner, Teri. Worth checking out ~ Some of the bars in the window from when it was a jail, are still attached and in view ~

The Club at Castlewood

4.3

(112 reviews)

Our Castlewood wedding was absolutely perfect! I cannot recommend this venue enough :)…read more For one, it's a gorgeous venue with incredible views and spaces. Our photographer had no trouble finding stunning backdrops to use for photos. It ended up raining on our wedding day, so we weren't able to get married in front of the oak tree on the ceremony lawn, but the indoor option ended up working perfectly! Plus, the food at Castlewood is phenomenal. Sandy was an absolute joy to work with while we were planning our event. She was very responsive, patient, and kind while we were navigating the planning process and asking a thousand questions. It's clear that she's very good at what she does and cares about helping people create their dream event. Thank you, Sandy, for helping us celebrate our wedding at Castlewood!

The space itself is very nice good views overlooking the golf course. The staff was very friendly…read moreand helpful. The appetizers were good brussel sprouts had good flavor and cooked well. I ordered a Nicoise Salad and halibut Oscar. The tuna was cooked nicely and very tender. The halibut was slightly over cooked but the flavor was nice. For some reason both dishes came out together. I would have liked the salad to come first then when I finished have the main dish.

Clubhouse At Las Positas

4.3

(6 reviews)

My friend had a Celebration of Life for his wife and he decided to hold it here as they had…read moreattended another event at this venue. There is a private room which is in the same building as the sports bar where they serve food and that day, there was a big 49'rs game and there were plenty of customers watching the several big screen tvs around the room. The venue has free parking. The private room was a bit drafty and needs a new coat of paint but it was a good place to hold this event. The private room where the Celebration of Life was just perfect for the event and this was the first time I have been to a venue for a Celebration of Life, rather than at a church. The event started with the buffet lunch, which consisted of mashed potatoes, bread, salad, mixed vegetables, beef and chicken. The food was plentiful and filling, however the beef was a bit on the chewy side even though it was medium rare. Coffee, iced tea, canned soda and hot tea were also available and a rich chocolate cake with raspberry filling was served for dessert. We didn't come here for the food but if you want to host an event here, the grounds are lovely and service is friendly.

Nice servers, great ambiance; had my sons first birthday, we were able to utilize the outdoor area…read moreas well. Food needs improvement (beef was on the dry side); Lived the calamari. restrooms were unkept per the guests; nice window view. 3.5 stars!

Good Morning Maxwell Pleasanton

(4 reviews)

We hosted a Celebration of Life Memorial for my mother at the Good Morning Maxwell Pleasanton…read morelocation and it was the PERFECT event venue. The space was not only beautiful but the Good Morning Maxwell team made every step of the process so easy and stress free. I HIGHLY recommend Good Morning Maxwell for any event venue needs you have. The space is adorable and laid out perfectly for a variety of event options. The whole process is easy and the entire team has wonderful communication and is there to assist you as needed with anything you may need.

I love Good Morning Maxwell. It's such a great place for event. I've had the pleasure of doing a…read morefew business events there and I recently hosted a surprise birthday party for my Mom there. It was so perfect! The space is great for parties and the communication from the time of requesting to book and wrapping up day of the event was amazing. Everyone loved the space. I can wait to do more events here!

The Dublin Wave

3.2

(271 reviews)

I'm surprised to see low reviews because I've been to this place a few times, and it's always been…read moregreat. The facility is clean, and it's perfect for my kids, who are 14, 10, 5, 4 and 10months old. I recommend renting your space ahead of time. Even with many people, there's so much to do that it doesn't feel crowded. We enjoyed the food too, especially the loaded fries, chicken strips, and strawberry lemonade. My family really had a great time, and there are plenty of lifeguards on duty.

The Dublin Wave seemed like it would be a good place to spend an afternoon with the kids, but the…read moreexperience was more frustrating than expected. The facility was extremely crowded, and several of the rides and attractions were closed, which left fewer things available for everyone who was there. There also were not enough places to sit while waiting for the closed attractions to reopen. The lifeguards did not come across as particularly friendly or patient with the kids, which affected the overall experience. I understand that staff members have to enforce safety rules, especially when the facility is busy, but the communication could have been more welcoming. The kids still had some fun, but the crowds, closures, limited seating, and service made the visit less enjoyable than it could have been. This place has potential for a family outing, but I would recommend checking what is open before visiting and going during a less crowded time.

The Dolores Bengtson Aquatic Center

4.0

(22 reviews)

Community pool in Pleasanton - our daughter took two weeks of swimming lessons here earlier this…read moresummer. Instructors were good but weren't able to pay as much attention as we would have liked because there were a lot of students and classes were 45 minutes each from Monday through Friday. Nevertheless, by the end of the two weeks, she was competent in freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke, backstroke and sidestroke! And that has made us parents a lot more comfortable sending her to pool parties. Strongly recommend this if you have a child or adult learning to swim.

Got my membership to this good, clean outdoor pool with plenty of lanes for lap swim. Pool depth…read moreranges from shallow (Lane 1 is 4 ft.) to deep (Lane 17 is 6.5 ft.) Facility is well maintained and staff is friendly. A few lanes are used for water exercise and a few for masters swim so be sure to look at the schedule before going.

Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park

(115 reviews)

Beautiful park in Pleasanton with over 20 hiking loops/trails according to the hiking app. No…read moreshortage of inclines so you're sure to get a good workout in no matter which path you choose. There is plenty of parking and clean restrooms and the trails are marked along the way.

Great hiking area in Pleasanton. There are a few staging areas and entry points. This review is for…read morethe Castleridge Trailhead along Foothill Road. Here, there are free parking spaces along street as well as a small parking lot down the road. At the trailhead, you reach the Courdet Trail and can hike up about 2-miles (1,000 ft elevation gain). It sounds strenuous but it actually isn't too bad as the incline levels out in numerous places and there is plenty of shade all along the trail. From the top of the trail, you can head back down the way you came, or connect with a handful of other trails at the top and keep going! I went on a Sunday morning around 7:30 and it wasn't too difficult finding parking. The trail also wasn't too crowded, but by the time I finished around 9:30 the crowds were picking up. Dog friendly and clean!

Ichen Art Academy

(18 reviews)

I've been a student at Ichen Art Academy for over 4 years now, and needless to say, I've grown a…read morelot within my passion because of the instruction I received at this school. I came in with a love for art, but little knowledge in the technical aspects. Through Ichen's summer programs, I got to explore many different media including charcoal, oil painting, and digital. The academy's instructors are very well educated in the arts and provide a plethora of resources and materials to help me succeed. They provided guidance in composition, technique, color, etc. while motivating me to enter my art into competitions... ultimately which I won a few! Ryan, Ichen Art Academy's Artist in Residence, has provided me with fantastic support over the years. I got a perfect balance of instruction and freedom to allow for the full expression of my artistry. I never felt bored or unmotivated because the instructors constantly provide me with ideas and recommendations when I'm stuck. My AP and college application portfolios both contributed largely to my successful MIT and Harvard application processes, and I am forever indebted to my time at Ichen for this accomplishment.

Really good art school. All teachers are professional, knowledgable and nice. They are…read moreexperienced and tenured in their teaching, and have enough knowledge to know how to work with your child(ren) and help them improve. A nice clean facility also promotes learning. Additionally, I really appreciate how they are willing to work with you on your schedule --- and to accommodate make up classes as necessary. Highly Recommended!

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Aarti K.

3 years ago

*** Posted by my daughter *** I personally think that getting to do an escape room with your friends (or just by yourself), is a good experience for anyone. I celebrated my 10th birthday party there, and all my friends and I loved it! It was fun, entertaining, and the helpers were very nice. If your looking for an entertaining place that's fun and logical, Stem Chef just might be the place you! You can learn with intricate puzzles, while having fun! You get smarter and smarter every minute at Stem Chef, and it helps kids think more logically about things like puzzle solving. If you are having trouble answering the questions, the helpers will modify and break down the clues, making it easier for you to solve. I guarantee that it will be a super hit! read more

Amber B.

3 years ago

We came here for my daughter's 8th birthday party. Brought 11 girls who all had a blast. We made a mistake on the booking (booked the wrong day) and didn't realize until we were on the way. The owner was very accommodating and went out of her way to help make sure things worked out. The day was saved! read more

Sahana S.

4 years ago

Celebrated my daughter's 8th birthday here. The kids a great time making potions and solving puzzles. The owner is personable and flexible with the time as well. All my daughters friends now want to celebrate their birthdays here. Definitely a hit amongst kids! read more

StemChef - escapegames - Updated August 2026

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Dreamland Art and Play

(14 reviews)

We had an amazing birthday party here for my 3 year old. Everyone loved the venue, painting…read moreactivity, and the fact that kids could play independently while adults mingled. It was very seamless to work with the team leading up to the event and on the day of. Highly recommended for a unique birthday celebration.

I visited on a weekday with my little one. While I love the concept of combining an open art space…read morewith an indoor playground, I found the $29 admission price to be quite high for what was offered. One thing to keep in mind is that many of the art projects require an additional fee, so the admission price doesn't cover all activities. While there were plenty of toys and play areas, many of them appeared heavily used and showed noticeable wear and tear. The location was another drawback for us. Being in Blackhawk Plaza, which currently has a lot of vacant storefronts, the area felt rather quiet and lacking energy. It's also quite a distance from the freeway, making it less convenient to visit, especially for families traveling from outside the immediate area. Overall, I genuinely love the concept and appreciate what they're trying to create. However, between the high admission cost, additional activity fees, maintenance concerns, and inconvenient location, I don't think we'll be returning. I wish them the best and hope they continue improving, as the idea itself has a lot of potential.

Kidplex

4.3

(48 reviews)

my son loves this place! always super clean. staff is always friendly. would definitely recommend.read more

We had walked by this place many times on our way to music class and finally decided to go in and…read moreboy, did I regret it. Not once during our entire visit did I see a single staff member cleaning or sanitizing. I watched children putting toys straight into their mouths while employees just stood by and watched. At other indoor playgrounds I've visited, there are always dedicated staff members actively disinfecting and keeping the space safe for kids. To make matters worse, I just discovered they feature pride books in an area for small children. It is entirely inappropriate to introduce these topics to young kids in a setting meant for basic play. The owner's justification for including them makes no sense at all. I will not be returning, and I will be warning the other mothers in my Danville mom's group about this place so they aren't caught off guard the way we were.

Slime Kitchen

4.7

(185 reviews)

We came to Slime Kitchen for the second day in a row and it's a really cool place for kids,…read moreespecially if they love slime. The first day we went was February 13 around 12-1 PM. It was busy that day, and unfortunately I didn't catch the name of the woman who helped us, but she was great and very patient. Even with how busy it was, we didn't feel rushed and the experience was really enjoyable. We came back again on Valentine's Day around the same time. This time Caitlin helped us. She was good and helpful, but the experience felt a little rushed even though we were the only ones in the shop at the time. Overall, it's a great experience for kids. It is a little pricey, but if your child likes slime, it's definitely something they'll enjoy and have fun doing.

Came here for the first time with my toddler (age 4) and she had a BLAST. Slime is not allowed at…read morehome so this was very special. I love their setup. You pick a slime base, which is the consistency and texture. Then your child can pick a base color. After they mix it up, they can play with the slime until they're ready to add more like sparkles, balls, and other designs. Aside from making the slime and squishing it, there isn't much else you can do here. I wish they had other activities to do with the slime. The staff was super friendly and great with kids. Overall a fun experience.

Pampered Parties

(81 reviews)

We hosted my daughter Ajunie's 6th birthday spa party here, and it was absolutely perfect!…read moreAlejandra and Tara were amazing -- so friendly, welcoming, and great with the kids. They were very responsive leading up to the event and even accommodated a few last-minute changes without any stress. Everything ran smoothly, and the girls had an unforgettable time. Highly recommend this place for a fun, well-organized, and stress-free celebration!

My granddaughter had her 6th birthday party at Pampered Parties this past weekend. We all really…read moreenjoyed the party and the attendees said the party was a great success. Service is awesome and everything is personalized so well done we were so happy we used pampered Parties and will be using them in the future. They have a large number of themes to choose from wonderful highly recommended parties thank you !!!!

USA Ninja Challenge

(6 reviews)

We had such an amazing experience hosting our daughter's 5th birthday party at USA Ninja! The…read morelocation was incredible, clean, modern, and perfectly set up for kids to have a great time. Our daughter and her 17 friends had an absolute blast! The staff was kind, professional, and very easy to work with. Communication was excellent, with fast email responses and great organization throughout the entire process. Aman provided top-notch support and made sure everything went smoothly from start to finish. We truly appreciate all the effort that went into making our daughter's birthday so special. If you're looking for a place where your kids can have an unforgettable time, we highly recommend USA Ninja. You won't regret it!

My son loves this place. They go strong the full hour (with water breaks, of course). Whatever the…read moreskill level, the kids seem to love it. My son knows he has to work in there but is super happy when he accomplishes his obstacle. Every week is different and keeps them hooked!

Makers Art Studio

(18 reviews)

The owner and staff were very hospitable, educational, and professional. I attended with a family…read moremember. We had a great time! learning and making our "fluid art," which came out so very pretty! We even sipped wine to celebrate our reunion, and art projects. The atmosphere was perfect for our meetup. It was a relaxing environment. We took pictures to celebrate the memory. A big Thanks! to "Hawaii Fluid Art," for being part of our journey! Angie M.

This is an interesting arts gallery for Hawaiian art. It…read morehas different types of projects: resin arts , fluid art , glass painting, beach scenes , charcuterie board, etc . This place is great for birthday parties, girls day out , family events , team bonding, date night and summer camp or spring break activities. They display the art pieces they made and they are all cute and nicely made . It is located inside Stoneridge mall . Parking is easy and many restrooms are available and easy to find one near by . The finished products are cute and I would like to try them out!

Create It! Factory

(2 reviews)

As a mama of 3, finding kid-centered activities or bday parties can be challenging as they get…read moreolder. I can't quite remember how I stumbled upon finding this company but I absolutely loved the options, the structure and with it being a newer company as this is its first Yelp review (check out their awesome Google reviews)-- I was open to giving it a shot blindly and I was NOT disappointed. In fact, I had a lot of great feedback from the guests that this was one of the funnest birthday parties they've been to! There's a selection of activities. The celebrant opted for t-shirt making, vinyl stickers, and clay making. Upon entrance, the team already had table cloths, simple balloons, and birthday decors. They also had cups, utensils, and plates readily available. Check in was smooth - I encourage guests who choose to celebrate here to make sure to write on your invitation to come on time since we waited for majority of the party to come to begin. (They were gracious with family and friends being on Filipino time!) The team was phenomenal and hands on. They knew how to guide really rowdy kids into structure and they didn't skip a beat. They took time to individually teach and check in on each child. After shirts, we made our way upstairs for making stickers and the kids had such a blast. They came back down for their clay projects and finished the day with food. The party was 2 hours and I felt like it was the perfect amount of time. It flew by fast and the crew was quick with clean up as well. We definitely will be returning! They do have summer camps and if we lived closer, we would definitely be coming more often. Loved their staff-- incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and such a pleasure to work with. Please consider them for future parties! You won't regret it!

This rave is long overdue. So thankful to have stumbled upon this party venue after a quick google…read moresearch. We hosted our son's 10th birthday party here and we couldn't be happier. The studio manager, Joe was very responsive, easy to work with, flexible and accommodating. The venue offers several creative, hands on activities that entertained all our guests, ages 7 to 18. There is a spacious party area to enjoy food and cake. You can bring your own food and decor or go through the venue for quick and easy planning. The staff helping during the party were all great and helpful to all of our guests. Would definitely recommend Create It for a new and fun party venue.

iSmash

4.9

(25 reviews)

Per my son, "this was his best birthday party ever and I want all my parties here from now on." It…read morewas definitely on the pricier side of parties we've done in the past, but the experiences were worth the splurge. Everyone seemed timid at first to throw or smash an item, but as soon as they did, it was on! 35 minutes doesn't seem like that long, but we were all exhausted by the end. We had 15 participants (children and adults) in our smash session. With that amount, it was a bit too crowded for my comfort and it got a bit hot in the room towards the end, even with the AC and fan. I think smaller groups would be better to allow everyone a bit more room to rage comfortably. Owner and staff were amazing, the facility is new and clean (well as clean as can be considering the activities lol), the safety equipment was clean and well organized, and the party room was a nice space to hang out in and watch the playback of the smash session before we headed off to paint. We had a blast and will definitely return, plus the parents now want to come back without the children for an adults night out too! Highly recommend this place for an incredibly fun and therapeutic time. These are nothing major, but a few things I would suggest: WiFi for better streaming of music to the speakers, an attendant outside the rooms ora way to really communicate with staff to help those that need to exit early for emergency situations, posted instructions of what to do and where to put used equipment in the paint clean-up station, and crank up the AC or add more fans - it gets pretty warm in those rooms in all that gear.

Came here with my 4-year-old and 6-year-old for the paint room and they had a blast! The service…read morewas prompt and friendly. They keep everyone running on the clock, so arrive early. For painting, safety glasses are mandated. You can also purchase a rain poncho, shower cap, and boot covers if you would like. The rain poncho will only partially cover kids over 43". This place is as clean as it can get considering the nature of the activities, and parking was easy.

Makers Art Studio