Ranked by Niche as one of Contra Costa County’s best places to live, Walnut Creek is known as a relaxed suburb with stellar schools, conveniently located near major cities like Berkeley, Richmond, and San Francisco. There are many houses for sale in Walnut Creek to meet your needs.
Originally an 1800s-era Mexican land grant, this area was settled later in the century and came to be referred to as Walnut Creek. The town gradually grew to include a blacksmith’s shop and various stores; during the 1950s, Walnut Creek’s population boomed after the addition of a shopping center. Today, Walnut Creek has become a commuter hub for the Bay Area.
Typical for the Bay Area suburbs, Walnut Creek’s cost of living is high. Many homes are located on sprawling acreage overlooking Mount Diablo, and updated California ranch-style houses are common as well. With convenient shops, restaurants, schools, and parks nearby, this is the perfect town for homebuyers searching for the typical suburban experience.
The beautiful Bay Area suburb of Walnut Creek provides plenty of green space to enjoy as well as a thriving downtown with lots to do. Walnut Creek is known for its peace and quiet, but it’s never boring; at any moment, you’re just a quick drive from major Bay Area cities.
Young professionals are increasingly attracted to Walnut Creek because of its proximity to prestigious universities and high-profile tech jobs. Urban dwellers looking for a change of pace are drawn to Walnut Creek; the BART train system makes it easy to catch a ride into the city for work. Retirees also love living in Walnut Creek because of the warm climate.
Whether you’re looking for dining or shopping opportunities, Walnut Creek has it all! Check out your favorite retail locations, or enjoy a meal with friends at one of Walnut Creek’s most delicious restaurants.
Walnut Creek’s iconic Broadway Plaza is a high-end outdoor mall that’s packed with both familiar and unique shopping experiences. Shop all of your favorite stores, such as Neiman Marcus, Crate & Barrel, J. Crew, Kiehl’s, LUSH, Macy’s, Nordstrom, and many more. Broadway Plaza also offers a selection of full-service restaurants.
Walnut Creek is also home to a variety of restaurants, including Va de Vi Bistro & Wine Bar, an eclectic restaurant featuring small plates from around the world, and Rooftop Walnut Creek, a restaurant with an outdoor terrace looking out over stunning Mount Diablo. Walnut Creek Yacht Club is the place to go for amazing seafood dishes.
There are plenty of great events in Walnut Creek, perfect for meeting your neighbors and making new friends. From fundraisers to festivals, there’s always something happening in town.
Locals love attending events like the Walnut Festival! Held each September for the past 85 years, this community event serves as a fundraiser for the town, providing attendees with delicious food and entertainment. The community also puts on regular parades, art exhibits, and an annual crab feast.
Outdoorsy residents love spending time at Heather Farm Park, a 102-acre preserve that offers residents incredible amenities like a dog park, garden center, skate park, swim center, multiple athletic courts, and more! There’s also the Lesher Center for the Arts, a cultural center that hosts dance, theater, and comedy performances.
Nestled in the lush landscape of the East Bay, Walnut Creek offers a respite for nature lovers and fitness enthusiasts alike. The city prides itself on its extensive park system and trails that invite residents to engage with the outdoors in myriad ways.
One of the crown jewels of Walnut Creek's green spaces is Heather Farm Park, a multifaceted oasis that caters to a range of activities. With its picturesque pond, community center, swim center, and equestrian center, it provides a serene backdrop for both leisure and engagement. For the little ones, there's a whimsical playground, while the gardens attract those keen on horticulture and peaceful walks.
The Iron Horse Regional Trail represents a historic corridor that has been transformed into a 40-mile pathway for pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians, connecting communities from Concord to Pleasanton. Walnut Creek's section of the trail is particularly popular, providing a scenic route for commuters and recreational users.
For the adventurous, the Shell Ridge Open Space is a must-visit. As the city's largest open space, it presents a challenging terrain with breathtaking views, ideal for hikers and rock climbers. Its rolling hills and oak woodlands are a habitat for diverse wildlife and native plants, offering an educational journey for nature enthusiasts.
From playgrounds to picnic areas, and tennis courts to nature preserves, Walnut Creek's commitment to parks and recreation is evident. These spaces not only enhance the community's quality of life but also serve as communal hubs for fitness, relaxation, and environmental stewardship.
Walnut Creek stands as a model for suburban convenience and connectivity. The city's transportation infrastructure is designed to offer residents and visitors flexibility and ease when it comes to mobility.
Central to the city's transport network is the Walnut Creek BART station, connecting the community with the wider San Francisco Bay Area. Commuters can effortlessly travel to major hubs like Oakland and San Francisco, making it a strategic location for professionals.
For those who prefer the road, Walnut Creek is favorably positioned near major highways including Interstate 680 and State Route 24, facilitating swift commutes to neighboring cities and the greater East Bay.
Local bus services, provided by County Connection, offer routes that cover the city and beyond, ensuring that even those without a car have access to reliable public transportation.
In addition to public transit, Walnut Creek promotes a pedestrian-friendly environment. With ample sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes, the city encourages a healthy, active lifestyle. The bike-friendly culture is complemented by the city's Bike Share program, making cycling an accessible and eco-friendly option for getting around.
Walnut Creek is home to several excellent schools within five excellent public school systems. Top educational opportunities include:
Walnut Creek is a bedroom suburb of greater San Francisco. It's known as a hub for agricultural commerce and shipping. Local attractions include state parks, gardens, and museums. Historically, the area was settled by Spanish explorers in the 1770s, eventually becoming a Mexican land grant. American settlers renamed the area Walnut Creek in 1862 because of the prevalence of walnut trees.
Niche rates Walnut Creek as one of the greatest places to live in California. They rate the city particularly high in terms of their public schools, family life, night life, diversity, and housing. There are many fine restaurants, parks, and cafes to visit in the area, one reason why it attracts young professionals and retirees alike.
The Walnut Creek housing market stands out as remarkably competitive, an environment where properties are highly sought after and listings become hot commodities swiftly. On average, homes in this vibrant area attract six offers, illustrating the strong demand in this locale. The pace of sales is brisk, with properties typically transitioning to pending status after approximately 16 days on the market—a slight acceleration from the 17-day average of the previous year.
Reflecting this fervor, the median sale price in Walnut Creek has escalated to $783K, marking a notable 11.4% climb since last year. This upward trajectory in home values is further exemplified by the median sale price per square foot, now standing at $594, which has risen by 2.5% over the past year.
February 2024 saw a continuation of this trend, with Walnut Creek homes fetching a median price equivalent to the $783K figure, a clear affirmation of the 11.4% year-over-year price increase. The volume of transactions is also on the rise, with 62 homes sold in February, slightly up from the 60 sold in the same month last year.
Many homes are not just receiving multiple offers; they are also seeing buyers forgo contingencies to secure their purchases. On average, homes are selling for about 1% above the list price, going pending in roughly 22 days. The most sought-after homes—those that epitomize desirability and location—are witnessing even more remarkable outcomes, selling for approximately 4% above list price and pending in as few as 8 days.
For prospective buyers and sellers in Walnut Creek, these figures represent a dynamic market that requires a nuanced approach and informed decision-making to navigate successfully. The statistics speak volumes of the city's desirability, suggesting that whether you're considering selling your property or searching for your dream home, acting decisively and strategically is more crucial than ever.
If you enjoy Walnut Creek's calming suburban feel, you might want to check out real estate in Orinda, Pleasant Hill, and Lafayette real estate. We also have beautiful houses for sale in Moraga, a nearby community that was ranked by Niche as one of Contra Costa's best places to live.
At the Paddy Kehoe Team, we strive to provide exceptional service to home buyers, sellers, and builders in Lamorinda. We take pride in delivering the very best results for our clients and building lasting relationships.
