OFF THE GRID (Food Trucks)

Off the Grid, which runs food truck markets in 22 locations across the Bay Area, puts on a weekly event from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays on Trelany Road behind City Hall.

Nine food trucks offering a rotating variety of cuisines -- including savory dishes and sweets -- drawn from the more than 175 vendors who work with Off the Grid.

The Pleasant Hill event, which Himlan described as "by far the most unique" he's seen in the Bay Area, makes use of the rolling lawn and modernist gazebo. Come check out the community on Adirondack chairs noshing on a gooey grilled cheese sandwich or breaking the brittle sugar topping on a creme brulee while enjoying live music.

Off the Grid eschews traditional advertising in favor of Twitter, Facebook and a biweekly email newsletter it blasts out to 60,000 subscribers. The community markets typically draw 500 to 1,000 people, some of whom travel from far beyond the city limits to visit their favorite trucks.