Recommended Hotel: Extended Stay America
Why: Best Rates, Free Parking, Kitchenettes in Rooms
Of the four hotel choices in the Contra Costa Centre/Pleasant Hill area, we recommend the Extended Stay America over the Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn, and Renaissance. Extended Stay America is by far the cheapest hotel in the area with rates below $130/night and parking is free. The rooms have kitchenettes and you can request dishes from reception, which guests like so they can do their own cooking or heat up leftovers from restaurants. However, some guests do note that from time to time dishes are not available. The main drawback of Extended Stay America is the lack of free breakfast and a fitness center. If you would like these amenities, then you could try the Holiday Inn where rates range from $150-$210/night. Guests also noted that the staff at the Holiday Inn go above and beyond to make your stay special. Overall, we recommend Extended Stay America to travelers who would like an inexpensive room with kitchen facilities.
Neighborhood Vibe: If you or your family prefer to stay in the suburbs, then the Pleasant Hill / Contra Costa Centre area is a good place to investigate. This safe, busy neighborhood is northeast of San Francisco and populated by families. The station is built around the Contra Costa Center, which is a live-work complex housing 6,000 employees and several companies that is the hub of the area. 
Getting Around: Ride time into downtown San Francisco is 40 minutes via the yellow line, and will cost $5.40 ($2 for children). Ride time to the Oakland Airport will be about 40 minutes with a transfer, and an additional shuttle bus to the terminal totaling about $10 for adults. Expect to spend 1.5 hours in transit if you are coming from the Oakland airport.
What to Eat: Unfortunately, there is not much in the way of restaurants outside of a Starbucks near the BART station so you’ll be limited without a car. But this is starting to change with the opening of Parada Peruvian restaurant in fall 2016. Sabores del Sur is another good choice known for their empanadas and alfajores cookies.
Things to Do Around Civic Center: Families might consider this a good option because California Water World is only a 10-minute drive from the station. The larger surrounding area is known as Walnut Creek and also is home to a Butterfly Garden.
