Homes For Sale In Walnut Creek
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Welcome To Walnut Creek, CA
When people think of the Bay Area, they often picture the high-octane lifestyle and innovative tech culture of Silicon Valley. But in Walnut Creek, a city nestled in the heart of nature-dense East Bay, life is a little more relaxed.
Located about 16 miles east of Oakland, Walnut Creek combines the sprawling natural beauty of Contra Costa County and the exciting, diverse culture and modern amenities that the Golden City is known for.
Whether you’re a family looking for the ideal neighborhood or a young professional seeking better job opportunities, Walnut Creek offers something for everyone. In this page, we’ll go through what makes it a great place to live.
Walnut Creek is a city in Contra Costa County. Part of the East Bay Region of the San Francisco Bay Area, Walnut Creek has a growing population of more than 70,100 and covers a total area of 19.77 square miles.
Parts of Walnut Creek can be found along the foothills of the San Ramon Valley, Ygnacio Valley, and Mount Diablo. Apart from its gorgeous mountainous backdrop, one of the first things you’ll notice about Walnut Creek is its vast open space. In fact, the city has the most open space per capita in the entire state of California, after citizens voted in favor of a $6.7 million bond measure intended to purchase and preserve 1,800 acres of open space.
The city shares borders with Pleasant Hill and Concord to the north and Clayton to the south. Lafayette lies west, while Alamo flanks its southern border. It’s also close to the cities of San Ramon (14 miles) and Berkeley (16 miles).
In addition, Walnut Creek is home to a bustling downtown core – local coffee shops, upscale restaurants, lively bars, and high-end boutiques are just a few of the spots that make up the city’s urban center.
Homes For Sale In Walnut Creek, CA
Homes for sale in Walnut Creek, CA are highly diverse, ranging from spacious single-family homes to apartments in varying sizes. Families will love the spacious yards with lush green grass and plentiful fruit trees. For those looking for a more urban lifestyle, there are condos and apartments in the vibrant downtown area. And with average home prices sitting below the million-dollar mark, properties here are less expensive compared to the Bay Area average.
One of the most prevalent architectural styles in Walnut Creek is Mid-20th Century Modern, also known as California Modern. Popularized by architect Joseph Eichler, this style is characterized by sleek, compact features, open floor plans, and indoor-outdoor living. There are also a few Craftsman and Mediterranean-inspired houses in the mix.
More than half of homes in Walnut Creek were built in 1970 to 1999, adding to the city’s historic character. About 37% of houses were established in the 1940s to the 1960s, while only 7% were built in the 2000s or later.
Living In Walnut Creek, CA
Walnut Creek offers the best of both worlds: a walkable downtown with upscale shops and restaurants, as well as easy access to nature. Although living here puts you within short distance of some of the Bay Area’s busiest cities, there's plenty to see and do in the area.
Cost of living
It’s no secret that Walnut Creek is an affluent city. It has a high cost of living compared to the national average, which is in large part due to the high housing and utility costs. However, transportation, groceries, and healthcare are either the same or only slightly above the national average.
The cost of living in Walnut Creek is also balanced out by the community’s median income, which is higher than the state and national average.
Employment and business opportunities
Walnut Creek’s thriving economy largely benefits from its business-friendly climate and proximity to big cities. Its top industries include finance and insurance, professional and technical services, and healthcare. Among the largest employers in the city are John Muir Medical Center, Nordstrom, and Robert Half International.
What makes Walnut Creek even more special is the mix of small businesses alongside large employers that create the fabric of its thriving economy. The city is a wonderful place for entrepreneurs and startups to take their first steps, fostering a culture of innovation and creativity.
Education
Walnut Creek is an excellent place to live for families with school-age children. Served by the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Contra Costa County Office of Education School District, and Walnut Creek Elementary School District, the city prioritizes quality education for students of all levels.
Public schools in the city are highly ranked, boasting high proficiency in math (63% in Walnut Creek vs. 34% statewide) and reading (73% in Walnut Creek vs 49% statewide). These include Las Lomas High School, Northgate High School, Walnut Heights Elementary School, Indian Valley Elementary School, and Walnut Acres Elementary School.
Students can also choose to go to a reputable private school. Northcreek Academy & Preschool and Seven Hills School are nearby.
Those pursuing higher education have many exciting opportunities, too. The following institutions are just a few minutes away from the city:
Diablo Valley College. This public community college is roughly four miles from the city, located in Pleasant Hill. Students can choose between 60 different areas of study, including psychology, health services, business, biology, computer programming, and more.
Saint Mary’s College of California. Located in the city of Moraga, which is about six miles from Walnut Creek, Saint Mary’s is a private liberal arts college offering more than 40 fields of study. It’s also one of the oldest institutions in California.
California State University, East Bay. CSU’s East Bay campus is located in Hayward, approximately 20 miles from Walnut Creek. The public university is largely known for its award-winning academic programs and community engagement.
University of California, Berkeley. Known for its academic excellence and selective programs, University of California, Berkeley is one of the most prestigious research universities in the country. Over 350 majors are offered here, including law, business, and medicine. The campus is approximately 13 miles from Walnut Creek.
Outdoor activities and attractions
Walnut Creek is home to abundant natural beauty and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. Here are the top places to visit for outdoor thrills.
Mount Diablo State Park
Mount Diablo State Park is one of the most recognizable parks in Walnut Creek. It spans a whopping 20,000 acres, which includes multiple walking and biking trails, abundant wildlife, beautiful plants, and a challenging 3,849-foot summit.
Among its most notable hiking trails are the challenging Mount Diablo Grand Loop, a 6.2-mile loop trail which takes approximately 3 hours to complete. The trail can be a difficult one due to the elevation and unmaintained brush, but its top-notch scenery and unique terrain make it popular among hikers and runners.
For those up for a challenge, the 10-mile North Peak Trail takes you to the summit of Mount Diablo. The hike takes about 4 hours to complete, but you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views at the top.
Diablo Foothills Regional Park
The State Park’s foothills are home to 1,060 acres of breathtaking scenery and stunning landscapes. The area is known for its diverse habitats where abundant wildlife thrive. Visitors can explore a variety of wetlands, forested grassland, and woodlands.
Guests can also bring their own bicycles to explore the park, or go on a horseback ride through the East Bay hiking trails.
Considered Walnut Creek’s largest open space area, Shell Ridge is named after the remains of marine fossils where the area was formerly covered by the ocean. Today, it’s characterized by striking geological features such as ridges and hilltops where visitors can hike, bike, or go horseback riding.
The historic Borges Ranch is also located here. Established in 1899, Francisco Borges’ ranch includes the original outbuildings, barns, and several preserved structures, which give you a glimpse of what a central California cattle ranch looked like in the early 20th century.
The Howe Homestead Park is another historic site that can be found here. This park is the former residence of James Howe, a distinguished correspondent from the Associated Press known for his coverage of World War I.
The Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery
The Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery is a preservation garden in Walnut Creek. It spans a total of 2.5 acres and includes one of the most diverse collections of succulent plants, cacti, trees and shrubs in the state. Apart from species native to California, the Garden also houses flora from all over the world, including Mexico, Chile, South Africa, and Australia.
First established in 1971, the Garden began as an orchard cultivated by Ruth Bancroft. Today, it’s home to over 2,000 plant species. Visitors can explore the gardens through a guided tour, or join a workshop hosted by the Education Department.
Other nature parks, farms, trails, and open spaces worth checking out are:
Heather Farm Park, a family-friendly community center housing a 6-acre garden, the Clarke Swim Center, sports facilities, and a dog park.
Castle Rock Trail, a 6-mile trail found in the Castle Rock Recreation Area. It’s also part of the American Discovery Trail.
Briones Regional Park, a haven for bird-watchers and wildlife photographers. It’s home to black-tailed deer, turkey vultures, and the native great horned owl.
Historic attractions
One of the best ways to learn about Walnut Creek’s history is through the Downtown Heritage Walk, which covers a total of 60 heritage sites and markers that can be explored through a guided tour. These sites include a replica of the Liberty Bell and the Broadway Shopping Center, as well as historic markers of the Walnut Creek and Mt. Diablo Central Hotel, Kirsch Home, and Botelho Home.
The Shadelands Ranch Historical Museum, operated by the Walnut Creek Historical Society, preserves the home of Walnut Creek pioneer Hiram Penniman. The historic house features many original family furnishings and treatments, providing a glimpse into life in Walnut Creek in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum also features a variety of artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of Walnut Creek's history, from its early days as a farming community to its growth into a modern city.
Dining
Parada Peruvian Kitchen by award-winning chef Carlos Altamirano is a casual restaurant offering Peruvian dishes and cocktails. Inspired by the colorful and warm food scene in Peru, Parada offers staples like fresh fish cebiches, traditional pollo a la brasa, paella, and more.
Havana Restaurant. Go from Peru to Cuba when you stop by Havana Restaurant, a bar and restaurant serving a Miami-inspired Cuban dining experience. Their puerco Cubano, tapas, and bottomless Mojitos are crowd favorites.
Walnut Creek Yacht Club is a seafood restaurant that brings the feeling of a sunny day at the Bay to landlocked Walnut Creek. Nautical design elements, fresh seafood, and warm service provide the atmosphere of an exclusive yacht club. There’s also an attached fish market.
San Francisco Creamery. Children and adults alike will find this homemade ice cream shop delightful, featuring sugary treats like ice cream, ice cream cakes, brownies, and cookie shakes. Everything from the hot fudge to caramel syrup is made in-house.
Sasa is a lively Japanese bar and restaurant known for their creative cocktails and phenomenal sushi, specifically their namesake sasa. The rest of their menu is equally appetizing, offering tempura wraps, geisha maki, and toro tartare.
Retail
With a retail scene that’s considered one of the best in East Bay, Walnut Creek is home to premier shopping strips anchoring local and international brands.
Downtown Walnut Creek is the commercial and residential hub home to dozens of retailers ranging from clothing stores to jewelers. It anchors brands such as Anthropologie, Aritzia, H&M, and Victoria’s Secret. You’ll also find Walnut Creek Library, A&G Jewelers, D&D Jewelry, and Edible Arrangements here.
Broadway Plaza is a one-stop shop for dining and shopping, with stores such as Banana Republic, L’Occitane, Lush, Madewell, and Swarovski. You’ll also spot clothing retailers and department store chains like Macy’s and Nordstrom.
Walnut Creek Farmers Market happens every Saturday morning. This is where locals and visitors can pick up their supplies for the week. Choose from a variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, meats, and cheeses, as well as prepared foods. Guests can also enjoy live music while sampling the best of what the city has to offer.
About Kimberly Ghazvini: Walnut Creek, CA Realtor
Work with a local expert with global connections. I’m Kimberly Ghazvini, a real estate agent specializing in the East Bay market, and I'm happy to help you find your dream home in Walnut Creek, CA.
As a top-producing Realtor with Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty, I'm proud to help both buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals. I take a personalized approach to every transaction, ensuring my clients' needs are met throughout every step.
If you're ready to look at homes for sale in Walnut Creek, CA, get in touch with me, Kimberly Ghazvini, at 650.444.3148 or via email.