Homes in Walnut Creek, CA
Walnut Creek offers exceptional schools, BART connectivity, and a vibrant downtown with extensive trails and open space-ideal for families and professionals seeking East Bay convenience with suburban charm.
Why Walnut Creek?
Transit & Freeway Hub
Two BART stations, express buses, and I-680/CA-24 interchanges turn Walnut Creek into the East Bay's easiest launchpad. Residents routinely leave cars parked, hopping on e-bikes, the free trolley, or quick rides into Oakland, Bishop Ranch, and San Francisco.
Retail & Dining Capital
Broadway Plaza stacks more than 120 stores with chef-driven patios, galleries, and weekly pop-ups. Errands, date nights, and live music all happen within a few walkable blocks from most neighborhoods.
Outdoor Gateway
Shell Ridge, Lime Ridge, Mount Diablo, and canal trails begin minutes from front doors. Swim clubs, pickleball courts, and shady reservoir paths keep residents active even when inland temperatures rise.
Interactive Map
Neighborhoods in Walnut Creek
Discover the unique character and charm of Walnut Creek's diverse neighborhoods.
Downtown & Broadway Plaza
Luxury condos and historic cottages surround a walkable core of boutiques, dining, and the Lesher Center for the Arts.
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Neighborhood Characteristics
For current pricing and availability, please contact us for personalized market information.
What Makes This Neighborhood Special
Broadway Plaza’s open-air mall brings Apple, Nordstrom, and chef-driven restaurants together.
Eight-minute walk to Walnut Creek BART plus the free trolley looping Main Street.
Lesher Center performances, farmers markets, and street festivals keep sidewalks lively.
Saranap & Parkmead
Beloved close-in neighborhoods with tree-lined streets, top schools, and quick access to Lafayette.
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Neighborhood Characteristics
For current pricing and availability, please contact us for personalized market information.
What Makes This Neighborhood Special
Students walk to Parkmead Elementary, Las Lomas High, and downtown enrichment programs.
Bike boulevards connect to Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail and BART within minutes.
Mature camphor and oak trees create shaded streets ideal for block parties.
Northgate & Walnut Greens
Foothill neighborhood at the base of Mount Diablo with larger lots and acclaimed schools.
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Neighborhood Characteristics
For current pricing and availability, please contact us for personalized market information.
What Makes This Neighborhood Special
Backs to Shell Ridge Open Space, offering backyard gate access to hiking trails.
Northgate High and Foothill Middle anchor academic demand.
Three-car garages, pools, and outdoor kitchens suit multi-gen living.
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Schools in Walnut Creek
Quality education is a cornerstone of Walnut Creek's appeal to families.
| School Name | Level | School Rating | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bancroft Elementary School | Elementary | ViewView Rating | |
| Buena Vista Elementary School | Elementary | ViewView Rating | |
| Indian Valley Elementary School | Elementary | ViewView Rating | |
| Murwood Elementary School | Elementary | ViewView Rating | |
| Parkmead Elementary School | Elementary | ViewView Rating | |
| Valle Verde Elementary School | Elementary | ViewView Rating | |
| Walnut Acres Elementary School | Elementary | ViewView Rating | |
| Walnut Heights Elementary School | Elementary | ViewView Rating | |
| Foothill Middle School | Middle | ViewView Rating | |
| Walnut Creek Intermediate School | Middle | ViewView Rating | |
| Las Lomas High School | High | ViewView Rating | |
| Northgate High School | High | ViewView Rating |
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Note: Verify current ratings and boundaries with official district resources. School assignments may change based on enrollment and boundary adjustments.
Major Employment Hubs & Local Employers
Walnut Creek offers excellent access to major Bay Area job centers and is home to several major employers.
Major Employment Hubs Near Walnut Creek
Downtown Walnut Creek / Broadway Plaza & Kaiser - Class A offices, Kaiser hospital campuses, and retail jobs within a bike ride.
Downtown Oakland / City Center & Lake Merritt - Government, fintech, and healthcare towers reachable via 12th Street BART.
San Francisco Financial District & Embarcadero - Major finance, legal, and tech headquarters 45 minutes away on BART.
Top Employers in Walnut Creek
John Muir Health
Regional medical center and specialty clinics headquartered near Treat Boulevard.
Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek
Major hospital and medical office campus serving Central Contra Costa.
AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah
National auto club headquartered along Pine Street with corporate, IT, and member-service teams.
Commute Times
Walnut Creek offers excellent connectivity to major job centers, airports, and regional destinations.
Commute to Major Job Centers
Airports
Regional Hotspots
Lifestyle & Amenities
Discover what makes Walnut Creek a special place to live.
Daily rhythms in Walnut Creek combine urban convenience with suburban calm. Residents sip espresso on Main Street before strolling to co-working studios or boarding BART for downtown meetings. Even midweek mornings feel lively thanks to yoga classes spilling onto sidewalks and cyclists cruising the Iron Horse Trail.
Family life revolves around award-winning schools, neighborhood swim clubs, and expansive parks. Parents trade pickup duty at Las Lomas High, while younger kids race between after-school art studios and Heather Farm’s rolling lawns. Block parties and play streets keep introductions easy for newcomers.
Outdoor lovers treat Shell Ridge and Lime Ridge as extended backyards. Trailheads sit minutes from most neighborhoods, so sunrise hikes, weekend mountain bike rides, and equestrian outings happen without a long drive. When temperatures climb, locals decamp to community pools or shady stretches of the canal trail.
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Weather & Climate
Quick-hit visuals that show how Walnut Creek feels throughout the year.
Temperature Story
Quick look at the seasonal swing in Walnut Creek
Winter Comfort Band
40–48°F
Typical overnight lows from December through February.
Summer Warmth Band
85–95°F
Afternoon highs during peak summer months.
Climate Type
Inland Mediterranean
Overall pattern
Days of Sunshine
260+ days
Bright days/year
Annual Rainfall
20 inches
Nov–Mar showers
Hotter than the coast but cooled by evening Delta breezes; fog seldom persists.
Dry summers, crisp fall evenings, and green hillsides after winter rains.
Outdoor recreation is nearly year-round; shade sails and whole-house fans keep homes comfortable eac...
Parks & Recreation in Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek maintains over 11 parks and recreational facilities, from neighborhood parks to large regional parks.
Heather Farm Park
Community Park
102-acre park with lakes, the Clarke Swim Center, skate park, and community gardens.
Larkey Park & Lindsay Wildlife Experience
Community Park
Combines playgrounds with a renowned wildlife rehabilitation museum.
Civic Park
Urban Park
Downtown lawn hosting art festivals, library events, and the Iron Horse Trailhead.
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Natural Hazards & Fault Lines
Important information about seismic activity, flood zones, and fire hazards in Walnut Creek.
Major Fault Lines Near Walnut Creek
Hayward Fault
Approx. 9 miles west near Orinda
Type: Right-lateral strike-slip
Calaveras Fault
Approx. 10 miles south near Danville
Type: Strike-slip
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
Moderate to High
CalFire Classification
Seismic Hazard Zones
Liquefaction Zones
Elevated risk in low-lying creek corridors near Walnut Creek and Tice Valley.
Landslide Zones
Hillsides near Shell Ridge and Northgate possess moderate landslide potential.
Alquist-Priolo Fault Zone Status
City core lies outside mapped fault traces but hillside parcels require geotech review.
FEMA Flood Zones
Zone Type
Creek-adjacent AE zones along San Ramon Creek and Walnut Creek
Flood Risk Notes
Downtown flood-control basins mitigate risk but older homes may need flood insurance.
Additional Notes
Defensible-space requirements apply in Northgate and Lime Ridge foothills; city incentivizes seismic retrofits for soft-story buildings.
What Locals Say
Hear from residents about living in Walnut Creek.
"I can walk from our downtown condo to BART, Pilates, and dinner without needing a car."
— Broadway Plaza Resident
"Northgate puts us minutes from the best high school and Mount Diablo trailheads, so it's worth the premium."
— Northgate Parent
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Local Favorites
Discover recommended restaurants and dining spots in Walnut Creek.
Teleferic Barcelona
Skyline tapas, paella, and gin tonics on a wraparound rooftop a few steps from Broadway Plaza. Locals rave about the Barcelona-style brunch that turns weekends into a mini vacation.
Va de Vi
Intimate wine lounge pouring global flights alongside seasonal small plates and a leafy courtyard. Sommeliers guide guests to new regions while shareable plates keep the table lively.
Main Street Kitchen
All-day neighborhood hangout known for farmers-market omelets, craft cocktails, and late-night bites. The exposed brick bar and sidewalk seating make it a hub for locals after work.
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What Makes Walnut Creek Special
Discover unique features, historical facts, and notable highlights of Walnut Creek.
Lesher Center for the Arts
Regional arts anchor hosting Broadway tours, symphony, and comedy nights.
Lindsay Wildlife Experience
One of the nation’s first wildlife rehab centers, offering close-up encounters.
Ruth Bancroft Garden
A 3.5-acre succulent and drought-tolerant garden recognized internationally.
Walnut Creek Farmers Market
Sunday market downtown featuring local farms and artisan goods.
Broadway Plaza
Open-air luxury shopping destination with art installations and seasonal events.
Shadelands SportsMall
260,000-square-foot youth sports complex drawing regional tournaments and camps.
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Insider Tips
What to know and what to be aware of when considering Walnut Creek.
What to Know
Permit-Only Parking
Blocks near Civic Park use residential permits; plan garage upgrades for guests.
Heat Preparedness
July and August bring triple-digit spells, so shade sails and efficient HVAC are essential.
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What to Avoid
Ignoring Brush Clearance
Foothill homes require annual defensible-space checks for wildfire readiness.
Driving Ygnacio at Rush Hour
Use Pleasant Hill Road or Olympic Boulevard as alternates when schools dismiss.
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Homes for Sale in Walnut Creek
Active listings coming soon. Contact us for current availability.
Coming Soon
We're working on bringing you real-time listings for Walnut Creek. In the meantime, contact us to get personalized information about available homes in this area.
Nearby Cities
Explore other areas we serve in the Contra Costa County region.
Questions About Walnut Creek
Common questions about living and buying in Walnut Creek.
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