10 Things To Do This 4th of July!

With the 4^th of July holiday upon us, the hunt for the perfect fireworks show begins.  The bay area is home to some of the most spectacular fireworks shows around, but there is so much more to see and do this three-day weekend! With three days away from the office, there is plenty of time to enjoy both the day and night life of the bay area.  From hiking, kayaking, sailing, shopping, and wine tasting to spoken word, concerts, dancing and outdoor festivals, San Francisco isn’t holding anything back this year!

For the adventurist at heart, Point Reyes National Seashore offers kayaking along Tomales Bay.  Sprawling over 70,000 acres and home to the likes of leopard sharks, seals and jelly fish you are in for a memorable ocean environment experience!

For the night-owls that love a bit of city life, come pop by the Holiday Hip Hop Party in San Francisco with Golden Era, at Slate Bar, 2925 16^th St.  This weekly party offers a tribute to classic Hip Hop and a great mix of dope beats. Best part? It’s free before 11pm.

Prefer a more instrumental approach to your music and partying? Check out Rowdy at Red, White and Bluegrass, at The Plough and Stars, 116 Clement St.  Celebrating Independence Day in bluegrass style, enjoys the rustic and mesmerizing sounds of banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass and dobro all while paired with jazzy vocal overtures!

To read more about weekend activities in your area click the link below!

http://www.sfstation.com/guides/10-things-to-do-this-4th-of-july-weekend/

Acura of Pleasanton Blog: Compact vs. SUV

Acura of Pleasanton Blog: Compact vs. SUV: It’s hard to go a day without reading or hearing about the cost of living, rents being raised and the concept of “quality of life”.  Most...

Compact vs. SUV

It’s hard to go a day without reading or hearing about the cost of living, rents being raised and the concept of “quality of life”.  Most of us wake up every day with a list of bills and responsibilities that we need to honor and uphold, spending all of our time battling the growing debt we acquire through living beyond our means. 

Personal experiences have placed me on both ends of the spectrum.   I’ve been able to have a lot of money at my disposal, but I’ve also experienced poverty and the reality of living pay check to pay check.  What I learned by being in both situations is this.  You don’t have to over extend yourself and your finances to live a rich and fulfilling life. 

I will admit whole-heartedly that I love nice things. I love expensive, quality pieces that last a lifetime and bring beauty into my environment.  That doesn’t mean that I need to rack up a handful of credit card debt and take out that second or third on my house or condo.  It simply means that I need to budget for the items I know will cost me the most, and find creative alternatives for the “would be nice to have, but I really don’t need” items. 

For me, driving a luxurious car with all the bells and whistles is one of my “MUST HAVE” items.  My job requires me to travel quite a bit, all while lugging around bulky production equipment.  Being in a vehicle that has good gas mileage, full surround sound, navigation and plenty of storage room are my requirements. 

I’ve found that for my in-town events, The Acura ILX is my car of choice.  A zippy compact with a 8-speed dual-clutch transmission giving me quick but incredibly smooth transitions which make for a fun drive over the bridges and onto the city streets.  The sleek, stylish design keeps me looking sharp as I cruise down the Embarcadero.  But it’s the A-Spec appearance that that really sells me.  Knowing I get the sporty look without compromising the power and speed I’m so addicted to makes this a millennials dream car.

When I need to go on longer road trip, the all-new Acura RDX is my SUV of choice.  As I’ve mentioned before, my road trips require Tetris level packing skills with all the luggage and equipment I need for my job.   I found that the RDX offered me AcuraLink for real time traffic updates, parking assist and remote engine start, perfect for my on-the-go days.   While I love a compact car, the RDX gave me the ample room to load even the bulkiest of tri-pods and lighting equipment.

Both cars offer me the hybrid experience, the price for each is just low enough for me to justify the spend and still have money left to take myself out for dinner when my work is done.  Living the big city dream only works when you have the right tools, and for me, the car I drive is a huge part of that. 

To learn more about the ILX or the RDX, click on the link below!

http://www.acuraofpleasanton.com/new-inventory/index.htm

Top Five Cheap to Free Things To Do This Weekend!

Summer has arrived! What are a few thoughts that come to mind when you think of summer?   If you are single and childless it means beaches, bonfires, and road trips with your best friends. If you happen to have children, summer becomes an endless effort to keep the little ones busy and entertained. 

School has let out, and what once was a quiet and clean home and car,  are now filled with beach toys, travel bags and friends and family coming in and out of town. 

With visitors and kids to entertain, we have compiled the best CHEAP TO FREE things to do here in the bay area.   We know that just because everyone else is on vacation, doesn’t mean you are, and we are here to help!  

This weekend in The Presidio, The Presidio Kite Expo is happening from 12 Noon until 5 pm.  This is a FREE FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT with option for a free Kite Building Class (RSVP to reserve your free Kite making kit!). 

If you are kid free this weekend, there is the Women’s World Cup: Outdoor Watch Party and Soccer Festival happening Friday June 12, starting at 4 pm. Watch the best women soccer players from around the globe battle it out to see who’s the best during the Women’s World Cup. Cheer along with a big crowd in San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza as the games are simulcast live from Canada. 

There is also the 2015 International Parkour Jam: AKA the Urban Ninja Festival.  Yes, it is as cool as it sounds.  Watch a bunch of Jackie Chan wannabes performing amazing ninja stunts and tricks. 

If these sound like fun, or if you want to check out some of the other amazing cheap to free things to do in the city this weekend, check out the link below!

http://sf.funcheap.com/city-guide/

Weekend Warriors, Start Your Engines!

As the weather becomes warmer, the need to be outdoors gets higher on the priority list.  If you are looking for things to do this weekend, We can help!

Here in the Tri-Valley, we are fortunate to have the best of both worlds.  For the wanderlusts of the world we have oceans and mountains to get lost in.  For the city-folk, we have bay-side restaurants serving champagne and oysters, tech-apps walking you through bridge architecture and car shows introducing you to the future while reminding you of the past.

If you haven't had a chance to experience a car show, prepare yourself.  They come in different shapes and sizes, from a local show featuring under fifty cars to national levels such as the ones you'd find at The Grand Prix or Sonoma Races featuring hundreds of concept cars, race cars and featured models being launched that following year.

Growing up in Southern California, I was raised on The Toyota Grand Prix.   Every April the grumbling of the speeding cars would call to us.  We knew it was coming because the streets off Ocean Blvd. would start getting blocked off and the road mediums began to appear in track formation.  Just as a fun tradition, we would watch a bit of Days of Thunder's opening sequences right before we piled into the car.  With pit-passes strapped around our necks, we bee-lined it into the Long Beach Convention Center where cars and lifestyle would open up before our eyes.

  

Car shows offer the visitor an incredible opportunity to touch, feel and play with all the newest features the automobile industry has to offer.  Bringing together vendors,  dealers and enthusiasts all in one location, car shows are the most direct way to explore everything that makes your car so special.

If this sounds like fun to you, come on out and experience the car shows for yourself!  The Good Guys hosts some of the largest car shows in Northern California and they have one this weekend! To get more information about this or other upcoming car shows click the link below!

https://www.good-guys.com/

For The Weekend Wanderlusts of the World

Weekend Wanderlust Warriors

If you are like me, my head begins to think of the weekend right about Wednesday afternoon.  As soon as the mid-day meal begins to sink deep into the belly, my mind will begin to drift to where I would much rather be at that moment.   That usually involves me, my car and the open road.

Being a mom of a six year old, the ability to just “get up and go” has become a thing of the past, but what I have been able to do is create “adventure days” and have become an avid Weekend Warrior. 

What does that mean?  Very simply, I have learned to tap into my inner gypsy and utilize my weekends for exploration and travel.  

Being able to travel by car allows for me to bring my daughter along, as well as every favorite toy she swears she’ll need while away for those two days.  The added convenience of ample storage space, a wicked stereo system and full blue-tooth connection for my phone allows me to stay connected and prepared for life's emergencies, while enjoying the much needed disconnection I strive for. 

You don’t have to travel by plane to experience luxury while enjoying stunning views that would wow even the most avid of Instagram users.  To satisfy my need for extravagance, I have found a few locations that have been able to entice the likes of even the Teslas' of the world to “unplug” for a weekend.   If it’s good enough for Mr. Tesla, it’s good enough for me.

First on the list, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.  From sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean to the dramatic cliffs that the resort is housed upon, to the hotel resident golf course and exclusive in-house culinary adventure at the hotel restaurants you can’t help but feel a bit posh just by walking through the hotels entryway. 

If you are more of a foodie than a golfer, The Epiphany Hotel hosts lofty ceilings with full-height sliding glass doors and spacious verandas.  For you night life, they provide two signature restaurants that provide atmosphere and indulgence to wow all five of the senses.  A must try for all city slickers.

These are just a couple of locations that I've been able to experience, but there are so many more to choose from, and all within driving distance from the heart of San Francisco.   To see photos or to make reservations at these or one of the many remarkable locations available to you, click on the below link:

http://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Staycations-of-the-tech-elite-6266118.php

Why Choose The Pleasanton Automall?

When deciding to work for the Pleasanton Automall, you are not only entering into the reputable Hendrick Automotive Group, but you are also becoming a part of an incredibly rare team-oriented environment.   Here at the Pleasanton Automall, the rule of thumb is PEOPLE FIRST.  

This not only includes our clients, but our team mates as well.  Here at the dealership we value hard work just as much as we value quality of life, and the support and dedication to balance them is apparent in everything we do.  We had an opportunity to speak with one of our team mates, Rosemarie Destura about the hiring process and what it’s like in the product enthusiast role.

What was the deciding factor for becoming an employee at The Pleasanton Automall?

Rosemarie states, “Being able to work for a company that promotes such a team atmosphere allows for each of our employees to know and feel how important their roll is here at the dealership.”

Following an inverted management structure, our management team is able to maximize their support to our key players out on the showroom floors allowing for them to create nurturing relationships within our community.

What process is used by a Product Enthusiast when working with clients?

Rose: Well first I listen.  The clients may not always know exactly what they want, but I’ll be that much closer to helping them if I stop and let them talk.  I try to offer options whenever possible and I want my client to feel comfortable and trust in my abilities so I ensure that am transparent with all client interactions.  Finally, I use patience.  I know the goal is about the relationship with our client.  

Our product enthusiasts go through college style vehicle training courses culminating in a test of knowledge prior to then moving onto the showroom floor.  Upon moving into the showroom, our product enthusiast gets hands on training while shadowing current enthusiasts and sales associates. 

What challenges do you face in this role?

Rosemarie D: “Gaining trust of a guest when you have such limited time with them.  You only have one chance to make a lasting first impression that may lead to a long lasting relationship.  I will always try to find an alternative instead of just saying no, while constantly including management to ensure our clients concerns are expressed. “

What can you expect from working with a Product Enthusiast?

Being able to have any questions about a particular vehicle answered, not being placed in a high pressure environment, and at the same time accomplishing any goals and getting to know the sales staff and dealership are just a few of the benefits of working with a Product Enthusiast. 

The ultimate goal of our dealership is to create relationships with our guests.  Determining their needs and enabling that they leave here feeling like their needs and concerns matter and were being addressed whether we sell a car or not.