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Downtown Walnut Creek

Downtown Walnut Creek

Suburban Neighborhood in Walnut Creek, California

Contra Costa County 94596

$841,931 Average Value
$721 Average Price per Sq Ft
13 Homes For Sale

The bustling center of a city of 70,000

Downtown Walnut Creek is the bustling heart of the city. Mostly made up of businesses and condos, the area has a lively energy but not the type that lasts until the wee hours of the morning. “They roll up the streets by 10:30,” says Ben Olsen, a Realtor with Brightwork Realty Advocates. The area lends itself to those who are looking for a new home in a self-contained city. “It tends to be young urban professionals and people moving out of big houses and slipping back into city life,” says Olsen.

The bustling Broadway Plaza in the heart of Downtown Walnut Creek is a popular shopping mall.
The bustling Broadway Plaza in the heart of Downtown Walnut Creek is a popular shopping mall.
At night, Downtown Walnut Creek shines with charm and lively ambiance.
At night, Downtown Walnut Creek shines with charm and lively ambiance.
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Downtown Walnut Creek is known for its extensive, yet walkable, shopping district

Downtown Walnut Creek has a reserved nightlife scene, and no shortage of businesses. “There are performing arts, restaurants, shopping and coffee all within the suburban overlay of not being too crazy. But there are some bars and clubs,” says Olsen. The neighborhood is very walkable, with the bulk of shops and restaurants just a few blocks from most condos and houses. Early mornings see lines form inside Panama Bay Coffee Co. and Tellus Coffee. For lunch and dinner, Main Street Kitchen & Bar is an upscale bistro with an upstairs that provides views of the downtown area, and Il Fornaio Walnut Creek is an upscale Italian dining spot. Wine and sports bars are mostly found on Civic Drive, between North Main and Locust Streets. Bourbon Highway Country Bar & Kitchen offers whiskey rails in a laid-back setting, and Residual Sugar Wine Bar is a quiet spot with ambient lighting and snacks to pair with bottles of wine. For groceries, downtown offers Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. Broadway Plaza offers a multitude of national retailers like Macy’s, Aritzia and Free People. The neighborhood is also home to a Cinemark Century Movie Theater.

Downtown Walnut Creek's Broadway Plaza is full of outdoor shops.
Downtown Walnut Creek's Broadway Plaza is full of outdoor shops.
Downtown Walnut Creek's Broadway Plaza features a two story Nordstrom.
Downtown Walnut Creek's Broadway Plaza features a two story Nordstrom.
Water fountain at Broadway Plaza in Downtown Walnut Creek.
Water fountain at Broadway Plaza in Downtown Walnut Creek.
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Downtown Walnut Creek offers custom homes on large lots

Condos with sleek and contemporary architecture dominate housing in Downtown Walnut Creek and are close to the businesses and bustle of the commercial area between Trinity Avenue, South Broadway and Interstate 680. “There are fewer older and or tighter single-family homes, but it’s mostly a vertical neighborhood,” says Olsen. One to two-bedroom condos sell for $600,000 to $1.1 million. Units at the top of the price range tend to be on higher floors with balconies. Single-family homes with two to three bedrooms sell for $1 million to $1.7 million. Bungalow and craftsman-style homes are common and are mostly on streets lined with oak and walnut trees. Homebuyers should know that Downtown Walnut Creek scores a 9 out of 10 for motor vehicle theft and larceny, along with an 8 out of 10 for burglary on the CAP Crime Index. All these scores are higher than the national average of 4 for each category.

Downtown Walnut Creek also offers housing options beyond the single-family home.
Downtown Walnut Creek also offers housing options beyond the single-family home.
Discover quaint bungalows offering a serene retreat in Downtown Walnut Creek.
Discover quaint bungalows offering a serene retreat in Downtown Walnut Creek.
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Civic Park spans 16 acres and offers plenty of recreation

Mature redwoods and sycamores fill the grounds of Civic Park, located on the neighborhood’s east side. It has a community center and gardens accessible with walking paths, along with an ice rating rink. The park also hosts holiday events. One mile south of Civic Park, tucked between an apartment complex and a condo building, sits Alma Park. The small grassy grounds offer a space for picnicking, walking or exploring. Fossil Hill Trail is about 2 miles east and is an entry point to the foothills of Mount Diablo. A network of different trails winds through the foothills and leads to the peak of Mount Diablo, about 20 miles away from Downtown Walnut Creek.

Civic Park provides a slice of nature for nearby residence.
Civic Park provides a slice of nature for nearby residence.
Before the movie begins, families and children enjoy volleyball and other activities.
Before the movie begins, families and children enjoy volleyball and other activities.
Civic Center Park has multiple playground facilities.
Civic Center Park has multiple playground facilities.
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Civic Park hosts popular annual events like the Walnut Creek Oktoberfest

Downtown Walnut Creek is a hub for a variety of events throughout the year. Oktoberfest, held in Civic Park, is the city’s biggest event. The park welcomes a flood of visitors at the end of September, and booths and food trucks spring up for the weekend. The annual Broadway Summer Concert series rocks the Broadway Plaza every August.

Before the movie at Walnut Creek's Civic Park, a DJ spins tunes to get everyone in the mood.
Before the movie at Walnut Creek's Civic Park, a DJ spins tunes to get everyone in the mood.
Families settle in with excitement as the movie begins, enjoying the brisk evening.
Families settle in with excitement as the movie begins, enjoying the brisk evening.
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Moving in and out of downtown

Interstate 680 borders the western and southern end of the neighborhood and merges with Route 24 to lead to Oakland. The neighborhood is also very walkable, with sidewalks throughout the residential and commercial areas. There are some opportunities for biking in Downtown Walnut Creek, mostly using the bike lane on North California Boulevard, one of the neighborhood’s main thoroughfares. John Muir Memorial Hospital is about 2 miles east, and the Oakland International Airport is 25 miles southwest. Bay Area Rapid Transit is less than a mile from most homes in the neighborhood and has routes around the Bay Area that lead to Oakland and San Francisco.

Route 24 offers smooth transit through the Caldecott Tunnel and vibrant Bay Area cities.
Route 24 offers smooth transit through the Caldecott Tunnel and vibrant Bay Area cities.
Walnut Creek BART station connects the city to the Bay Area’s efficient transit system.
Walnut Creek BART station connects the city to the Bay Area’s efficient transit system.
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School choice includes the No. 7 best high school in Contra Costa County

The area is served by the Walnut Creek School District, which has an A-minus rating on Niche. Parkmead Elementary has an A rating and Walnut Creek Intermediate School has an A-minus rating. Las Lomas High School has an A rating and offers after-school activities like crochet club, Dungeons & Dragons club and robotics club.

Parkmead Elementary School is located in Walnut Creek, California.
Parkmead Elementary School is located in Walnut Creek, California.
Walnut Creek Intermediate School is a public middle school.
Walnut Creek Intermediate School is a public middle school.
Las Lomas High School proivdes a safe, positive, and nurturing environment for students.
Las Lomas High School proivdes a safe, positive, and nurturing environment for students.
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Conor Lobb
Written By
Conor Lobb
Michael Chen
Photography Contributed By
Michael Chen
Francesco Basti
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Francesco Basti

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Deborah Zacharatos, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Metro Oakland International

33 min drive

Subway

Walnut Creek Station

Bus

N California Blvd And Lacassie Ave

Bus

Bothelho Dr And Locust St

Bus

N California Blvd And Trinity Ave

Bus

Ygnacio Valley Rd And Civic Dr

Bus

S Broadway And Mt Diablo Blvd

Bus

S Main St And Newell Ave

Bus

Newell Ave And S Main St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Walnut Creek US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 8 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 9 4
Larceny 9 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$825,000
Median Single Family Price
$1,695,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$867,500
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$689,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$721
Number of Homes for Sale
13
Last 12 months Home Sales
44
Months of Supply
3.50
Median List Price
$850,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
10%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
798
Median Year Built
2002
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,343
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,789
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,166
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
807
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098

Open Houses

  • Thursday, Apr 24
    5 - 7pm

    1835 Shuey Ave, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

    $1,695,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,628 Sq Ft
    • 1835 Shuey Ave
    • New 4 days ago

    Don't miss this rare opportunity in the highly sought-after Almond/Shuey neighborhood! This property features two homes on a single lot—perfect for an owner-occupant or investor. The main home boasts 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, offering approximately 1,120 square feet of living space, while the legal detached 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom unit spans about 508 square feet. Both homes are full of charm and

    Steve Monasch Coldwell Banker

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    2 - 4pm

    1655 N California Blvd Unit 101, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

    $995,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,371 Sq Ft
    • 1655 N California Blvd
    • Unit 101
    • New 17 days ago

    Welcome to The Mercer, where luxury, style, and convenience blend seamlessly to create an urban oasis in downtown Walnut Creek. This sought-after 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom floor plan with an additional den offers features tailored for a sophisticated lifestyle. The desirable north-facing orientation provides abundant natural light, a feature that other homes at The Mercer envy. Inside, you'll find a

    Dawn Finley Compass

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  • Sunday, Apr 27
    2 - 4pm

    1655 N California Blvd Unit 312, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

    $745,000

    • 1 Bed
    • 1.5 Baths
    • 1,054 Sq Ft
    • 1655 N California Blvd
    • Unit 312

    Beautiful downtown Walnut Creek condo with modern finishes. Light & bright 1 bedroom + den, 1.5 bath features spacious bonus room- use it as a den, nursery, guest studio, home office, workout space - the choice is yours! Located on 3rd floor, this freshly painted unit captures gorgeous light from its southern exposure. Kitchen features granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and built-in

    Christina Linezo Village Associates Real Estate

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Deborah Zacharatos, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
7,672
Median Age
39
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$123,638
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$142,113

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.5%
College Graduates
71.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
31.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
75.8%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
17''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

84 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

97 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

52 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Walnut Creek