Highland Oaks: West Pleasanton Homes with Schools and a Swim Club
Highland Oaks is a standout among Pleasanton's established west-side neighborhoods — and for good reason. Where else can you find homes with a top elementary school and a top high school within the neighborhood itself, plus a community swim club and recreation center, all minutes from the freeways? It's a rare combination, and it keeps Highland Oaks consistently in demand. Here's the full picture.
Where it sits
Highland Oaks is located on the west side of Pleasanton, bounded by Foothill Road on the west, Flagstone Drive to the north, the I-680 corridor on the east, and Muirwood Drive to the south. Its streets — including Driftwood Way, Lakewood Street, and Highland Oaks Drive — wind through a mature, tree-lined setting that's only minutes from both I-680 and I-580. It sits right alongside the neighboring Muirwood neighborhood, though Highland Oaks has its own distinct identity and amenities.
How it came to be
Highland Oaks was built in the 1960s and 1970s by several different builders, which gives the neighborhood a nice variety from street to street. Decades on, it has the established character, mature landscaping, and settled feel that newer subdivisions simply can't match — and many of the homes have been thoughtfully updated over the years.
The homes
Highland Oaks is primarily a single-family neighborhood, with a mix of single-story and two-story homes in classic ranch and traditional styles. They generally offer three to five bedrooms and range from around 1,300 to 2,000 square feet, with larger homes — and the adjacent Oak Hill pocket running up toward 2,500 square feet — adding to the variety. Many have been remodeled and expanded, so you'll find everything from charming originals to fully updated homes, across a range of price points.
Community pool, recreation, and parks
One of the things that sets Highland Oaks apart is its community swim club, which includes a pool, open grass area, and a recreation center of roughly 2,800 square feet — a genuine neighborhood gathering spot. Membership and access details can vary, so that's something I always confirm for a specific home. Beyond the swim club, Oakhill Park and the large Muirwood Community Park are both close at hand, giving residents plenty of green space and recreation right nearby.
Schools
Highland Oaks is served by the highly regarded Pleasanton Unified School District, and its proximity to schools is genuinely exceptional: both Lydiksen Elementary and Foothill High School are located within the neighborhood, and homes here have typically also been assigned to Thomas Hart Middle School. Having a top elementary and high school essentially in your own neighborhood is a rare perk. Because boundaries can change over time, I always confirm the current designated schools parcel by parcel — but few Pleasanton neighborhoods can match this kind of access.
Getting around
Highland Oaks offers an excellent balance of established, residential calm and real convenience. You're minutes from I-680 and I-580 for commuting around the Bay Area, close to shopping and everyday services, and surrounded by parks and schools. Downtown Pleasanton's shops and restaurants are an easy trip as well. It's a neighborhood that makes daily life genuinely easy.
Thinking about Highland Oaks?
Between its in-neighborhood schools, its swim club, and its convenient west-Pleasanton location, Highland Oaks is one of the area's most desirable established neighborhoods — and well-priced homes here tend to move quickly. Whether you're searching seriously or just want to understand what's selling and at what price, I'd be glad to give you a clear, honest read.
I know Pleasanton's neighborhoods and the wider Tri-Valley market inside and out, and I'd love to help you find the right fit. Reach out anytime — let's find your home in Pleasanton.
— Rebecca Rook, Living Tri-Valley | Compass
